Acts 9:37-42 · Bible study
Acts 9:37-42 Commentary: Peter Raises Dorcas to Life
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
A study of Acts 9:37-42, exploring whether the disciples expected resurrection, Peter's prayer, and the miracle that led many to believe.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Peter raises Dorcas from the dead, confirming the power of the risen Christ through apostolic prayer and leading many to faith.
- Key words: Tabitha/Dorcas (gazelle), upper room (huperōon), widows, tunics and garments, believed in the Lord.
- Main debate: Did the disciples send for Peter expecting resurrection, or seeking comfort? Evidence points to the latter, making the miracle more surprising.
- Theological theme: God's sovereign power over death exercised through human prayer; the community of faith grieves, prays, and witnesses together.
- Best use: Teaching on prayer, grief, and the purpose of miracles; encouraging believers that God can bring life from hopeless situations.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
37At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room.
38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.”
39So 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.
40Then 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.
41Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive.
42This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
WEB World English Bible 2000
37In those days, she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
38As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
39Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the tunics and other garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41He gave her his hand and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
KJV King James Version 1769
37And 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.
38And 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.
39Then 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.
40But 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.
41And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
37And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto us.
39And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled 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.
42And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
37and it came to pass in those days she, having ailed, died, and having bathed her, they laid her in an upper chamber,
38and Lydda being nigh to Joppa, the disciples having heard that Peter is in that place , sent two men unto him, calling on him not to delay to come through unto them.
39And Peter having risen, went with them, whom having come, they brought into the upper chamber, and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing coats and garments, as many as Dorcas was making while she was with them.
40And Peter having put them all forth without, having bowed the knees, did pray, and having turned unto the body said, `Tabitha, arise;' and she opened her eyes, and having seen Peter, she sat up,
41and having given her his hand, he lifted her up, and having called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive,
42and it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
37And it came to pass in those days that she grew sick and died; and, having washed her, they put her in [the] upper room.
38But Lydda being near to Joppa, the disciples having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, beseeching him, Thou must not delay coming to us.
39And Peter rising up went with them, whom, when arrived, they brought up into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping and shewing him the body-coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40But Peter, putting them all out, and kneeling down, prayed. And, turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and, seeing Peter, sat up.
41And having given her [his] hand, he raised her up, and having called the saints and the widows, presented her living.
42And it became known throughout the whole of Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
37And 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.
38And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppe, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not be slack to come unto them.
39And Peter rising up went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber. And all the widows stood about him, weeping and shewing him the coats and garments which Dorcas made them.
40And they all being put forth, Peter, kneeling down, prayed. And turning to the body, he said: Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes and, seeing Peter, sat up.
41And giving her his hand, he lifted her up. And when he had called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive.
42And it was made known throughout all Joppe. And many believed in the Lord.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 9:37
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that the washing and placement of Dorcas's body in an upper room followed standard Jewish burial customs, not a known expectation of resurrection. Clarke notes that no apostle had yet raised anyone from the dead, and Stephen had not been restored, so such a hope was unlikely. Barnes and Calvin concur, adding that the disciples likely sent for Peter seeking comfort, not a miracle. The Cambridge Bible suggests that the knowledge of Peter's healing of Aeneas (Acts 9:33-34) may have stirred a faint hope, but the text does not confirm it. The decisive moment is Peter's solitary prayer: he kneels and prays before speaking to the body. Vincent observes that the verb for Peter's rising up (anastas) echoes Jesus's own resurrection language. All commentators read the miracle's outcome, presented alive, then known throughout Joppa, as a means by which many believed in the Lord, with the resurrection itself confirming that Peter's power came from Christ alone.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Resurrection expected: The disciples lay her in an upper room and urgently send for Peter, having heard of his healing of Aeneas (Acts 9:32-35). The Cambridge Bible suggests this implies a hope that God might act through Peter.
- Resurrection not expected: Clarke, Barnes, and Calvin argue that washing and preparing for burial was standard, and no apostle had yet raised anyone. The disciples likely sought comfort, not a miracle.
What is clear: God sovereignly worked through Peter's prayer to raise Dorcas, confirming the power of the risen Christ and leading many in Joppa to believe.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Disciples' expectations | All traditions agree the text does not directly state that they expected resurrection. | Some argue that sending for Peter after washing the body suggests a hopeful faith (Cambridge Bible), while others insist they simply wanted comfort (Clarke, Barnes, Calvin). |
| Role of prayer in the miracle | Peter prayed before raising Dorcas, showing dependence on God, unlike Jesus who commanded directly. | Catholic tradition emphasizes the intercessory prayer of Peter as a model of asking the saints' help; Reformed tradition stresses that prayer demonstrates the apostle's weakness and God's sole glory. |
| Meaning of 'believed in the Lord' | The result of the miracle was that many came to faith in Jesus Christ. | Some see this as genuine conversion to Christianity (Calvin, Barnes), others as a general acknowledgment of divine power that may or may not have led to full discipleship (some modern readings). |
| Significance of Dorcas's good works | Her works of mercy are commended and her death is a loss to the community. | Catholic tradition sees her as an example of justifying faith through works; Protestant tradition emphasizes that her good works were evidence of saving faith, not the basis of salvation. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Joppa (modern Jaffa) was a Mediterranean port city about eight miles west of Lydda, where Peter had just healed Aeneas. Dorcas (Tabitha in Aramaic, both meaning "gazelle") was a disciple known for her good works and acts of mercy, especially making garments for widows. Washing the dead was a Jewish ritual of preparation for burial, and the upper room (huperōon) was a common space in Palestinian homes, often used for extended gatherings or mourning, as in Acts 1:13 and Acts 20:8.
The disciples' decision not to bury quickly but to lay her in the upper room and send for Peter is striking. Customs of the time required burial before sunset, but the proximity of Lydda (a few hours away) allowed them to defer. The widows' display of Dorcas's tunics (chitōnas, inner garments) and cloaks (himatia, outer garments) was a public tribute to her generosity.
Peter's actions consciously echo Old Testament and gospel precedents. He puts everyone out before praying, as Elisha did before raising the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:33), and as Jesus did at Jairus's daughter's raising (Mark 5:40). His kneeling posture and prayer contrast with Jesus's immediate command, showing Peter as a dependent servant. The miracle parallels Jesus's restoration of life, linking apostolic power directly to the risen Lord.
The cultural context of widows in the early church is important. They were a recognized group, often supported by the community (Acts 6:1-6). Dorcas's care for them exemplified the Christian call to mercy, and her restoration restored a vital source of their provision.
Textual Notes
The only significant textual variant noted in the supplied sources is in verse 38. The best manuscripts (NA28, UBS5) read the request in direct speech: “imploring him, ‘Delay not to come on to us’” (μὴ ὀκνήσῃς διελθεῖν ἕως ἡμῶν), rather than indirect speech. This graphic form heightens the urgency of the disciples' plea. The Cambridge Bible and Vincent's Word Studies both flag this variant. No other variants affecting meaning are reported in the sources consulted.
Reception History
In the early church, this passage was read as a demonstration of apostolic power confirming the truth of the gospel. The story of Dorcas was used to encourage charitable works, especially care for widows. During the Middle Ages, the raising of Dorcas was often paired with the raising of Jairus's daughter and the widow's son at Nain as three resurrections prefiguring Christ's own. Reformation commentators such as Calvin emphasized that the miracle was performed not for Dorcas's own sake but for the building up of the church; they also noted Peter's humility in praying privately. In modern times, the narrative has been valued for its human details, the mourning, the garments, the community waiting. It continues to be cited in discussions of the role of women in ministry, as Dorcas is called a disciple (mathētria) and her service is highlighted. Across traditions, the passage is treasured as a reminder that God uses ordinary acts of love and extraordinary interventions to draw people to faith.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- Faith in Grief, The disciples wash Dorcas's body and lay her in an upper room, not knowing what God might do. Their grief is real, but they leave room for God.
- Prayer Before Power, Peter mirrors Jesus by putting the mourners out, then kneels and prays before speaking. He did not assume the miracle would happen; he sought God's will.
- Resurrection for Witness, Dorcas is restored not merely for her own sake but as a sign that points to Christ, leading many to believe.
Five-Point Outline
- Custom Prepared a Place for Miracle (v.37), Washing and laying in an upper room was ordinary burial ritual, yet the upper room becomes the site of resurrection.
- Community Calls for Help (v.38), The disciples send for Peter; they do not presume resurrection but they do not surrender to despair. Faith sends the request.
- Witness of Good Works (v.39), The widows' weeping and showing garments testifies to Dorcas's life of mercy. Love leaves a visible legacy.
- Solitude, Prayer, and Command (v.40), Peter clears the room, kneels, prays, then speaks directly: “Tabitha, arise.” The order shows dependence first, then action.
- Presented Alive, Many Believe (vv.41-42), Peter calls the saints and widows and shows Dorcas alive. The news spreads, and many believe in the Lord.
Illustration Hooks
- A hospital waiting room where a family sits, not knowing whether a loved one will survive. They pray but prepare for the worst. Sometimes God intervenes beyond all expectation.
- A charity seamstress who quietly makes clothes for the homeless. When she dies, the community realizes how many lives she touched. Her legacy becomes a seed for faith.
- A church leader who, before a huge decision, locks the office door and prays alone, not because he lacks faith, but because he knows the power isn't his.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- “If Dorcas was so faithful, why did she die at all?”, The text doesn't explain, but her death (like Lazarus's in John 11) became an occasion for God's glory through resurrection.
- “Did the disciples really think Peter could raise her?”, The commentators are divided; many think they sought comfort, not a miracle. That makes the resurrection even more clearly God's sovereign gift.
- “What happened to Dorcas after this? Did she die again later?”, The narrative doesn't say, but her restored life was a temporary return, pointing to the final resurrection all believers share in Christ.
Leading a Discussion
This passage invites us to see how God works through ordinary grief, persistent prayer, and the faithful service of his people. As you discuss, notice the details: the washing, the upper room, the widows' tears, Peter's pause to pray. The miracle does not erase grief but transforms it into witness.
Discussion Questions
- Read Acts 9:36 to set the stage. What does the description of Dorcas as “full of good works and acts of mercy” tell you about her life?
- Why do you think the disciples washed the body and laid it in an upper room before burial? What might this say about their hopes or lack of them?
- The widows show Peter the garments Dorcas made. Why is this detail important? What does it reveal about how the community valued her?
- Peter puts the mourners out, kneels, and prays before speaking to the body. Compare this with Jesus raising Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:40-41). What does the difference between Peter's prayer and Jesus's command teach us about the apostles' dependence?
- In verse 42, “many believed in the Lord.” Does this mean they became Christians, or that they were convinced Jesus was powerful? How does the context (the healing of Aeneas, the news spreading) shape your answer?
- How does this story encourage you when you face a situation that seems hopeless? What one step of faith could you take this week, even if you don't know the outcome?
- Dorcas is raised for the sake of others. How can your own gifts and acts of mercy serve as a witness to your community?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Mark 14:15 | He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.” |
| John 11:3 | The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.” |
| John 11:4 | But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.” |
| John 11:36 | The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!” |
| John 11:37 | Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?” |
| Acts 1:13 | When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. |
| Acts 20:8 | There were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together. |
| II Kings 4:28 | Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me’?” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that even Tabitha's holiness and usefulness could
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes argues the widows who sent for Peter likely wanted comfort in their grief, not a resurrection. He notes Peter put them out of the room before raising Tabitha to avoid appearing ostentatious. The miracle then led many to believe, serving to extend Christ's kingdom.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Peter deliberately imitated Christ's method when raising Jairus's daughter by putting the mourners out, kneeling to pray privately until he knew God's will, and only then commanding Tabitha to arise. The miracle's power belonged entirely to Christ, not to the apostle.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the contrast between Peter's kneeling in prayer before raising Dorcas and Christ's never kneeling for His miracles. He notes that the servant's posture suited Peter, while the Lord's authority needed no such gesture. The vivid details of the widows and garments give the account a charming air of reality.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes that the church is one body even across different regions, bound together by shared life and faith. He also notes that Peter's raising of Tabitha, unlike Jesus raising Jairus's daughter, was performed through prayer, highlighting that the miracle was Christ's answer and not Peter's own power.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Tabitha's name means "doe" or "hind," a gentle and pleasant creature, and sees her character matching that name. Her good works and almsdeeds were the natural fruit of a sweet and gracious spirit, like the loving hind described in Proverbs.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent draws attention to a textual variant: the best manuscripts give the request as a direct address, "Delay not," rather than "that he would not delay." He also notes that the imperfect tense of "made" indicates habitual action — she was accustomed to making these items.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that while the raising of Dorcas brought great joy to her community as a confirmation of the gospel, for her it was a matter of resignation rather than joy to be called back from glory to earthly life. He suggests her remaining days were spent even more zealously, storing up greater heavenly reward.