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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_9:36-43
36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. 37And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, "Do not delay in coming to us." 39So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
Act_9:36 "Joppa" Today this town is known as Jaffa (Yafo). It was the ancient seaport for Jerusalem. Today it is part of the modern city of Tel Aviv-Yafo.
▣ "disciple" The term "disciple" is used quite often in this section of Acts. It literally means "learner," but is used in the sense of believer.
▣ "Tabitha. . .Dorcas" This lady's Aramaic name was Tabitha; her Greek name was Dorcas. Most Jews who had social or commercial contact with non-Jews had two names, an Aramaic one and a Greek one. Both of these names mean "gazelle," a symbol of grace and beauty (cf. Son_2:9; Son_2:17; Son_4:5; Son_7:3).
▣ "with deeds of kindness and charity" This refers to Jewish alms-giving. This was a Jewish concept of weekly donations that developed in the Synagogue for the care of the needy Jewish people in the community. It was considered spiritually important by the Jews of Jesus' day. The church followed this pattern (cf. Acts 6). See Special Topic at Act_3:2.
▣ "which she continually did" This is an imperfect active indicative. This speaks of habitual action in past time.
Act_9:37 "they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room" The washing of the body was typical of the Jewish preparation for burial. In Jerusalem a body had to be buried the same day one died, but outside of Jerusalem, burial could be delayed for three days. See Special Topic at Act_5:6.
Act_9:38 "sent two men to him" These believers had heard of great miracles done by God through Peter and they believed that he could do something for this great Jewish Christian lady.
Act_9:39 "and all the widows stood beside him" Apparently they were wearing the clothes that Dorcas had made for them of two different kinds: (1) the inner undergarments and (2) the outward cloaks.
Act_9:40 "But Peter sent them all out" This is literally "threw them out." This is exactly what Jesus did in Mar_5:40. In fact, there are great similarities between the miracles performed in this section and the miracles performed in Jesus' lifetime. Jesus' ministry is the only model the Apostles had.
The question is, "Why did Peter want all of them to leave the room?" Jesus did this because He did not want to be known as a healer only and the gospel was not yet complete. But why did Peter do this? It seems that these miracles opened the door of faith, so it would seem he would want as many as possible to view it.
▣ "knelt down" The usual position for Jewish prayer was standing with the arms and eyes raised to heaven. However, in the Book of Acts, it is recorded several times that the disciples knelt down to pray. This apparently was for emphasis (cf. Act_7:60; Act_20:36; Act_21:5), as it was with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (cf. Luk_22:41).
▣ "'Tabitha, arise'" Apparently he was speaking Aramaic. Jesus and the Jews in Palestine of the first century all spoke Aramaic, not Hebrew. This is true even as far back as Ezra-Nehemiah (cf. Neh_8:4-8).
Act_9:41 "saints" See Special Topic: Saints at Act_9:13.
Act_9:42 "and many believed in the Lord" This is another summary statement that shows the great results of Peter's miracles and preaching ministry. See Special Topics at Act_2:40; Act_3:16.
Act_9:43 "Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon" Peter's Jewish legalism must have been breaking down already for him to stay with a ceremonially unclean tanner (had to deal with dead animal skins) such as Simon.
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