Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means
dorcas (which means gazelle). She was full of good works and acts of charity.
In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid
her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that
Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us
without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come,
they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and
showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.
But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the
body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she
saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling
the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout
all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days
with one Simon, a tanner.
In a Nutshell
Tabitha is raised. Another miracle and more people believe.
Questions
How would Luke, a historian, verify what had taken place here?
This passage raises questions. One is: why does Luke tell us the translation of Tabitha's name? Was it so the first readers of this book could go to Joppa, and there prove the story for themselves by talking with this woman? Some matters cannot be cleared up entirely, but even so they still need our careful reflection. There may have been other healings and raisings performed by Peter that Luke could have told us about, but he tells us about this one. Why? Luke tells this story with great tenderness. He holds deep affection for Tabitha and her community as did Peter. Jesus' work would continue in the life of Tabitha after she was raised. She was a woman of great deeds, loved by all in her community. By Peter's hand, in the power of God's Spirit, the power of death was turned back.
When she died, two men were sent to Peter in Lydda not far away. He was to come without delay. They knew he was there. When it says that the widows stood beside Peter, we have a sense of corporate female support. They supported each other. They had strong attachment to Dorcas this maker of lovely garments. Luke says they "stood beside him" indicating they were a comfort to Peter in his grief. Tabitha and these widows were already known to him as the disciples of Joppa. And so, Jesus' work continued at that sea-side port. Had these widows fled Jerusalem after Stephen's death? Had they been the widows who had missed out on the food distribution? Maybe. The Holy Spirit was showing Peter that the outpouring was also upon women. The persecution had fomented a new kind of prophetic witness; women were also carriers of God's blessing to all the world.
Peter knelt and prayed. In response to his command, Tabitha woke up, sat up and taking Peter's hand she was lifted to her feet. No doubt Peter recalled Jesus healing his mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-9). This is another of those healings like the raising of Jairus' daughter (Luke 8:40-56) where the gospel writer has decided it is enough for us to know that a healing has taken place. Tabitha had died and was raised. Then Peter, unlike Jonah, stayed in Joppa, and Luke tells us whose house he stayed at. This also was part of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, pushing the mission's boundaries to the end of the earth.