³⁶Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. ³⁷And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. ³⁸Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” ³⁹So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. ⁴⁰But Peter sent them all out 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. ⁴¹And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴²It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

With Peter’s increased freedom to travel about preaching, word spread about miraculous works. The works Jesus prophesied for the apostles were now happening (John 14:12); they were becoming like their Master! Luke’s scholarly detail is evident in his listing both the woman’s Hebrew name and the Greek rendition of it (prefiguring Luke’s eventual transition from earlier referring to Saul by his Hebrew name, and later by his more well-known Roman name of “Paul.”) We also see here the literary theme of Peter responding to the request coming from Joppa, and later to one coming from Caesarea. In both cases, he obliged. Whereas Aeneas in Lydda was noted as one of the “saints,” that is, a devout, believing Jew, here Tabitha is noted for her benevolent character and actions.

Being a doctor, Luke includes details of the body being washed and laid out. One wonders if Luke received such minute details of the scene from Peter himself, even the description of the widows weeping. Tabitha’s remarkable effect on the people was enshrined in the garments she labored to make for them. Clearly, she was a giving person, reminiscent of Barnabas (Acts 4:36–37). Luke tended to showcase such highlights among the early Christians.

Without any fanfare, in the privacy of the upper room where they had laid out the body, Peter simply knelt, prayed, and commanded the woman to arise. The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was Peter. It must have seemed like the face of Jesus. In a gentlemanly way, Peter helped her to her feet, took her out, and presented her to the believers alive. Peter’s two miracles became widely known, with the result that many came to saving faith in Jesus.

Lord, thank You for using miracles for validating the spread of the Word.