Dorcas. This story is like that of the raising of Jairus-' daughter (Mark 5:22-24; Mark 5:35-43; Luke 8:41 f., Luke 8:49-56). Tabitha (in Gr. Dorcas, Eng. Gazelle; though the Gr. equivalent for the name is given, the woman was called Tabitha by Peter (Acts 9:40) and was a disciple); the nature of some of her good deeds and alms appears in the sequel. Her burial does not follow hard on her death as with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:6; Acts 5:10). The object of the urgent message (Acts 9:38) is not stated; contrast Mark 5:23. As in Jairus-' house a great mourning is going on in the upper room where the body lay. The widows are here carrying out the rites; or was it their connexion with Dorcas that brought them? The widows of Acts 6:1 have no connexion with this scene; the Church order of widows (1 Timothy 5:9 f.) may already have been present in germ. They are wearing clothes that Dorcas had given them; this is more likely than that the garments were hanging or lying about the room; they pointed to them and said, She made us this garment; she abounded in such kind deeds. Peter puts them all out (cf. Mark 5:40) and addresses the motionless figure in words strangely similar to those of his Master, reported in Mk. not in Lk. He must have used the Name (Acts 2:38; Acts 3:6 *) also; his words are not given fully, and would resemble those of Jesus less closely than now appears. Peter gives the patient his hand after she has sat up of herself. The widows are mentioned along with the saints to whom the revived person is presented. Conversions naturally follow. Simon the tanner (Acts 9:43) is a person known to the church.
Acts 9:36-43
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas:b this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delayc to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.