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Peter Raises Dorcas

36 Now in Joppa[a] there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation means[b] Dorcas).[c] She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity.[d] 37 At that time[e] she became sick[f] and died. When they had washed[g] her body,[h] they placed it in an upstairs room. 38 Because Lydda[i] was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Come to us without delay.”[j] 39 So Peter got up and went with them, and[k] when he arrived[l] they brought him to the upper room. All[m] the widows stood beside him, crying and showing him[n] the tunics[o] and other clothing[p] Dorcas used to make[q] while she was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all outside,[r] knelt down,[s] and prayed. Turning[t] to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.[u] 41 He gave[v] her his hand and helped her get up. Then he called[w] the saints and widows and presented her alive. 42 This became known throughout all[x] Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.[y] 43 So[z] Peter[aa] stayed many days in Joppa with a man named[ab] Simon, a tanner.[ac]

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:36 sn Joppa was a seaport on the Philistine coast, in the same location as modern Jaffa. “Though Joppa never became a major seaport, it was of some importance as a logistical base and an outlet to the Mediterranean” (A. F. Rainey, ISBE 2:1118-19).
  2. Acts 9:36 tn Grk “which being translated is called.” In English this would normally be expressed “which is translated as” or “which in translation means.” The second option is given by L&N 33.145.
  3. Acts 9:36 sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. Dorcas is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name Tabitha. Dorcas in Greek means “gazelle” or “deer.”
  4. Acts 9:36 tn Or “and helping the poor.” Grk “She was full of good deeds and acts of charity which she was continually doing.” Since it is somewhat redundant in English to say “she was full of good deeds…which she was continually doing,” the translation has been simplified to “she was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity.” The imperfect verb ἐποίει (epoiei) has been translated as a progressive imperfect (“was continually doing”).
  5. Acts 9:37 tn Grk “It happened that in those days.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  6. Acts 9:37 tn Grk “becoming sick, she died.” The participle ἀσθενήσασαν (asthenēsasan) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  7. Acts 9:37 tn The participle λούσαντες (lousantes) is taken temporally.
  8. Acts 9:37 tn Grk “washed her,” but the reference is to her corpse.
  9. Acts 9:38 sn Lydda was a city northwest of Jerusalem on the way to Joppa.
  10. Acts 9:38 tn Grk “Do not delay to come to us.” It is somewhat smoother to say in English, “Come to us without delay.”
  11. Acts 9:39 tn Grk “who.” The relative clause makes for awkward English style here, so the following clause was made coordinate with the conjunction “and” supplied in place of the Greek relative pronoun.
  12. Acts 9:39 tn The participle παραγενόμενον (paragenomenon) is taken temporally.
  13. Acts 9:39 tn Grk “and all.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun.
  14. Acts 9:39 tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
  15. Acts 9:39 tn Or “shirts” (a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin). The name for this garment (χιτών, chitōn) presents some difficulty in translation. Most modern readers would not understand what a ‘tunic’ was any more than they would be familiar with a ‘chiton.’ On the other hand attempts to find a modern equivalent are also a problem: “shirt” conveys the idea of a much shorter garment that covers only the upper body, and “undergarment” (given the styles of modern underwear) is more misleading still. “Tunic” was therefore employed, but with a note to explain its nature.
  16. Acts 9:39 tn Grk “and garments,” referring here to other types of clothing besides the tunics just mentioned.
  17. Acts 9:39 tn The verb ἐποίει (epoiei) has been translated as a customary imperfect.
  18. Acts 9:40 tn Grk “Peter, sending them all outside, knelt down.” The participle ἐκβαλών (ekbalōn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  19. Acts 9:40 tn Grk “and kneeling down,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more. Instead the “and” is placed before the verb προσηύξατο (prosēuxato, “and prayed”). The participle θείς (theis) is taken as a participle of attendant circumstance.
  20. Acts 9:40 tn Grk “and turning.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun.
  21. Acts 9:40 sn She sat up. This event is told much like Luke 8:49-56 and Mark 5:35-43. Peter’s ministry mirrored that of Jesus.
  22. Acts 9:41 tn Grk “Giving her his hand, he raised her up.” The participle δούς (dous) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  23. Acts 9:41 tn Grk “Then calling the saints…he presented her.” The participle φωνήσας (phōnēsas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style; it could also be taken temporally (“After he called”).
  24. Acts 9:42 tn Or “known all over.” BDAG 511 s.v. κατά A.1.c. has “became known throughout all Joppa” for γνωστὸν γενέσθαι καθ᾿ ὅλης ᾿Ιόππης (gnōston genesthai kathholēs Ioppēs).
  25. Acts 9:42 sn This became known…many believed in the Lord. This is a “sign” miracle that pictures how the Lord can give life.
  26. Acts 9:43 tn Grk “So it happened that.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  27. Acts 9:43 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Peter) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  28. Acts 9:43 tn Grk “with a certain Simon.”
  29. Acts 9:43 tn Or “with a certain Simon Berseus.” Although most modern English translations treat βυρσεῖ (bursei) as Simon’s profession (“Simon the tanner”), it is possible that the word is actually Simon’s surname (“Simon Berseus” or “Simon Tanner”). BDAG 185 s.v. βυρσεύς regards it as a surname. See also MM 118.

Peter Raises Tabitha to Life

36 Now in (A)Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated is called [a]Dorcas). This woman was full of good works and charity which she continually did. 37 And it happened [b]at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an (B)upper room. 38 Now since Lydda was near (C)Joppa, (D)the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, pleading with him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the (E)upper room; and all the (F)widows stood beside him, crying and showing all the [c]tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter (G)sent them all out and (H)knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “(I)Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. And calling (J)the [d]saints and (K)widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known all over (L)Joppa, and (M)many believed in the Lord. 43 And it happened that he stayed many days in (N)Joppa with (O)a tanner named Simon.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:36 Gr for Gazelle
  2. Acts 9:37 Lit in those days
  3. Acts 9:39 Or inner garments
  4. Acts 9:41 Or holy ones