ACT 9:36-43

The Raising of Tabitha

36Now in Joppa there was a female disciple named Tabitha, which translated means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. [9:37] In those days it came about that she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they placed her in an upper room. [9:38] Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, "Do not delay coming to us." [9:39] Peter rose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him to the upper room, and all the widows stood beside him weeping and showing the tunics and garments Dorcas had made while she was with them. [9:40] Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, rise." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. [9:41] He gave her his hand and raised her up; then calling the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. [9:42] It became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. [9:43] He remained many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.

In the world it was spoken into

In 1st-century Joppa, Tabitha (Dorcas) was a (female disciple), a rare designation highlighting her active role in the community. Her works of (alms) were not merely charitable acts but expressions of mercy and compassion, deeply valued in Jewish and early Christian contexts. Widows , a vulnerable group often dependent on communal support, were particularly impacted by her generosity. When Tabitha died, her body was washed and placed in an upper room, a common practice for preparing the deceased. Peter, staying in nearby Lydda, was summoned urgently, reflecting the community’s reliance on apostolic authority for hope in crisis. Peter’s presence in Joppa, where he stayed with Simon the (tanner), was notable, as tanners were often viewed as ritually unclean due to their work with dead animals. This detail underscores the early Christian movement’s challenge to purity norms. The widows’ weeping and display of Tabitha’s garments testified to her tangible impact on their lives.

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How other translations render this

ACT 9:36

KJV: Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
BSB: In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity.
Koinōnos: Now in Joppa there was a female disciple named Tabitha, which translated means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

ACT 9:37

KJV: 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.
BSB: At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room.
Koinōnos: In those days it came about that she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they placed her in an upper room.

ACT 9:38

KJV: 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 delay to come to them.
BSB: Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.”
Koinōnos: Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, "Do not delay coming to us.

ACT 9:39

KJV: 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.
BSB: So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
Koinōnos: Peter rose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him to the upper room, and all the widows stood beside him weeping and showing the tunics and garments Dorcas had made while she was with them.

ACT 9:40

KJV: 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.
BSB: Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.
Koinōnos: Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, rise." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.

ACT 9:41

KJV: And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
BSB: Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive.
Koinōnos: He gave her his hand and raised her up; then calling the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive.

ACT 9:42

KJV: And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
BSB: This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
Koinōnos: It became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

ACT 9:43

KJV: And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
BSB: And Peter stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
Koinōnos: He remained many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ACT 9:36

a disciple:The word translated 'disciple' here is the feminine form of the more common masculine term, indicating a female follower or learner, specifically of Jesus's teachings.
of alms:The term translated 'alms' refers to acts of mercy or charity, specifically the giving of material aid to the poor and needy, which was a highly valued religious practice.

ACT 9:39

widows:In the ancient world, 'widows' were often among the most vulnerable members of society, lacking male protection and financial support, making them dependent on family or community charity.

ACT 9:43

Simon:The word translated 'tanner' refers to someone who processed animal hides, a trade often considered unclean due to its association with dead animals and strong odors, and typically located outside city limits.