Acts 9

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

What does Acts 9:40 mean?

Explanation

Acts 9:40 describes a miraculous event in which the apostle Peter raises a woman named Tabitha from the dead.

In this verse, after everyone else is sent out of the room, Peter kneels and prays. His turning to Tabitha's body and commanding her to rise is an assertion of faith in the power of God to restore life. When Tabitha opens her eyes and sees Peter, she sits up, confirming the miracle.

This verse is literally describing a resurrection but also exemplifies the power of prayer, faith, and the continuation of Jesus's ministry through his disciples.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The Book of Acts, written by Luke, documents the early Christian church's history and apostolic activity after Christ's resurrection and ascension.

Acts 9:40 occurs during Peter's ministry in Joppa, a coastal town in ancient Israel.

Tabitha, known as Dorcas in Greek, was a believer renowned for her good works and acts of charity.

Her death left the community in mourning, demonstrating her impact on the community.

Peter was nearby in Lydda and was summoned to Joppa.

The time was likely around A.D. 35-40, a period when the young Church was demonstrating signs and wonders to confirm the message of the Gospel.

Theological Insights

This verse offers several theological insights. First, it suggests that God's power to heal and even raise the dead did not end with Jesus but continued through the apostles. It emphasizes the importance of prayer, suggesting that miraculous events begin with approaching God in humility.

Additionally, from a Christian theological perspective, this event serves as a foreshadowing of the general resurrection at the Second Coming of Christ.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of Acts 9:40 can be manifold. The most direct application is the understanding of the importance of prayer and its central role in facing life's challenges.

This verse can encourage believers to trust in God's power and maintain hope even in seemingly hopeless situations.

Additionally, it inspires acts of charity and service, as Tabitha's life represented, and encourages faith communities to support one another during times of loss.

Cross-References

John 11:43-44: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.
James 5:14-16: The prayer of faith shall save the sick.
Matthew 10:8: Jesus instructs his disciples to raise the dead.
Acts 20:9-12: Paul raises Eutychus from the dead.

Language Study

The original Greek terms used in this passage are notable.

The term "put them all forth" (ἐκβαλὼν ἔξω) suggests a forceful removal, possibly to create a private, focused environment for prayer.

"Kneeled down" (θείς γόνυ) denotes a posture of humility and reverence. When Peter commands Tabitha to arise (Ἀνάστηθι, Tabitha), the verb used is imperative, indicating his authoritative tone, reflecting the command Christ himself might have used.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This event mirrors similar resurrection stories found in various religious texts, including those within the Bible.

Within the Christian context, it closely parallels the resurrection miracles performed by Jesus, such as resurrecting the widow's son at Nain and Jairus's daughter.

It showcases the idea that the power individuals attribute to their deity is not limited to the deity itself but can also work through devout followers.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, modern medicine understands death as a biological state that, once fully set in, is irreversible.

Verified resurrections, such as the one described in Acts 9:40, defy current scientific understanding and are not replicable or observable phenomena.

As such, this event is viewed as a miracle, a divine intervention that supersedes natural laws.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer diverse explanations about this passage.

Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the faith of Peter and how he imitated Christ in the method he used to perform the miracle.

The Pulpit Commentary notes how the miracle served to affirm Peter’s apostolic authority and the truth of the Christian message.

The Expositor's Greek Testament discusses the significance of Peter's lone prayer in the room with Tabitha, pointing toward the personal nature of prayer and its power.

Generally, commentators view this miracle as a testament to God's power working through Peter and an essential act for the spreading of the Christian faith in the early church.

Acts 9

Acts 9

What does Acts 9:40 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 9:40 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?