Acts 9:38

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 9:36-43

Here we have another miracle wrought by Peter, for the confirming of the gospel, and which exceeded the former?the raising of Tabitha to life when she had been for some time dead. Here is, I. The life, and death, and character of Tabitha, on whom this miracle was wrought, Acts 9:36, 37. 1. She lived at Joppa, a sea-port town in the tribe of Dan, where Jonah took shipping to go to Tarshish, now called Japho. 2. Her name was Tabitha, a Hebrew name, the Greek for which is Dorcas, both signifying... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 9:32-43

9:32-43 In the course of a tour of the whole area, Peter came down to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man called Aeneas who had been bed-ridden for eight years. He was paralysed. So Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Rise and make your bed." At once he stood up and all who lived at Lydda and at Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. In Joppa there was a disciple called Tabitha--Dorcas is the translation of her name. She was full of good works and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 9:38

And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa ,.... Some say it was six miles distant, but it must be eight; since from Jerusalem to Joppa were forty miles, and from Jerusalem to Lydda thirty two, and therefore it must be eight miles from thence to Joppa: and the disciples had heard that Peter was there ; and also no doubt that he had healed Aeneas of his palsy, and which might induce them to do as follows: they sent unto him two men ; very likely of their own company or church; for it is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:38

Sent unto him - desiring - that he would not delay to come - Tabitha died at Joppa, and Peter was at Lydda, about four leagues distant. But why did they send for Peter? We cannot tell. It is not likely that they had any expectation that he should raise her from the dead; for none of the apostles had as yet raised any; and if God did not choose to restore Stephen to life, this favor could not be reasonably expected in behalf of inferior persons. However, they might hope that he who cured... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 9:38

Verse 38 38.The disciples, which had heard, The washing of the corpse showeth that the disciples knew not what would come to pass, for by this means they make the corpse ready to be buried. Yet this is some token of hope, that they lay her in an upper chamber, and send to Peter. Furthermore, they murmur not against God, neither do they cry out that it is an unmeet thing; but they humbly crave God’s help, not that they will make Tabitha immortal, but their only desire is to have her life... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:31-43

Works of peace. It is a bright picture of happy and prosperous Church life that here opens. Peace "lay like a shaft of light athwart the land" of Judaea, Galilee, and Samaria. The work of edification, ever silent and sure like the growth of the tall palm, went on. There was the spirit of reverence and the sense of comfort and of joy in the presence of the Holy Spirit. That nation is happy whose life contributes few incidents that startle, changes that dismay, revolutions and wars that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:32-43

The fisher of men. "The Church had rest," we read in Acts 9:31 , "throughout all Judaea and Galilee." Not so the primate of the Church. The Church's rest from persecution was his season of work. A brief glimpse of his work may be edifying to us. We saw something of his ministry at Jerusalem in the earlier chapters of this book—preaching, praying, praising, healing, protesting, resisting, suffering, perplexing his enemies, exhorting and comforting the saints. We saw him carefully building... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:32-43

The miraculous and the supernatural. In these verses we have two instances of the miraculous; and we may consider what was the worth of that element then, and why it has passed away; we may also consider the truth that the supernatural—the directly though not visibly Divine—still abides and will continually endure. I. THE RATIONALE OF THE CHRISTIAN MIRACLE , wrought in the apostolic age. Then it was (or seems to us to have been) necessary. 1. It was regarded as of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:36-43

The raising of Dorcas. The contrast between the ancient and modern world, changing somewhat the relation of almsdeeds to the rest of Christian life; but the poor always with us. The special province of woman in the Church. The individuality of the charity, not a society, but Dorcas the woman. I. FAITH WORKING BY LOVE . 1. Show that Dorcas was not a mere philanthropic worker, but a true believer. 2. The disciples at once sent for Peter, believing that he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 9:36-43

The emphatic mark of Divine approbation which Christianity puts upon womanly kindness, in what may seem an humble sphere, and upon genuinely felt gratitude for it. The narrative is the more interesting as being the first subsequent to the Ascension, and among the Acts of the Apostles, which brings the deeds, the character, and the fame of a Christian woman into prominence. The share that Christianity has contributed in honoring women, and in raising them to occupy their own proper place,... read more

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