Dorcas Restored to Life (Accts 9:36-43)

After Aenaes, a paralysed man, had been healed in the name of Jesus, news of the event spread around the area.

Nearby on the coast lived a kind follower of Jesus called Tabitha. (That was her Jewish name, in Greek she was known as Dorcas). She was always doing good works and charitable deeds.

Dorcas lived in the sea port town of Joppa (modern day Jaffa) not far from Lydda where Peter was staying.

At that time, Dorcas became sick and died. Her dead body was washed and laid in an upstairs room.

Knowing that Peter was in the area, two men rushed to find him. ‘Please come at once!’ they begged.

Peter went with them to Joppa.

When Peter arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the tunics and garments that Dorcas had made for the poor while she was alive.

Peter sent them all out of the room. Then, he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’

Tabitha opened her eyes and sat up. Peter took her by the hand and helped her to her feet.

He called for the followers of Jesus to come into the room and showed Tabitha to them. This miracle became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed on in Joppa, living at the house of Simon who was a tanner.