Acts 9:32-43

32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, 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. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


Luke now transitions from Saul back to Peter. Peter was ministering throughout Judea and Samaria and came to the believers in Lydda. There he came across a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. Aeneas was instantaneously and completely healed. All the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him healed and turned to the Lord—they believed as a result of the healing.

Meanwhile, in Joppa there lived a woman named Tabitha (Aramaic) or Dorcas (Greek) who was full of good works and acts of charity. She became ill and died. Those around her washed her and placed her in an upper room. Clearly, they hoped for a miraculous work from God. Joppa was near Lydda where Peter was. They sent two men who urged him to come to them. Peter went with them and was brought to the upper room. There all the widows showed him the garments Dorcus had made for them while she was still alive—evidence of her good works of charity. Peter put them outside. Then he knelt, prayed, and then turned to the body where he told her to arise. Peter’s actions mimick Jesus’ actions in raising Jairus’s daughter, which he had witnessed (Luke 8:40-56). She opened her eyes and sat up. Then he gave her his hand, helped her up, and then presented her to the widows. This healing became known throughout Joppa and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. He probably used that time to minister to the new believers.

While these two stories show God’s special working through Peter and his preparation for reaching the Gentiles with the gospel, let’s consider Dorcus. Dorcus was a lady who took seriously the call to live a life of good works, something we have all been saved for (Eph 2:10). How seriously have you taken to doing the good works God saved and prepared you for? Would people want you raised from the dead to continue the good you have been doing?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

A Clear Conscience: 2 Corinthians 1-2