Acts 9:32-43
32-35. as Peter passed throughout all quarters—not now fleeing from persecution, but peacefully visiting the churches.
to the saints which dwelt at Lydda—about five miles east of Joppa.34. And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole—(See on Ac 3:6).
make thy bed—(See on Joh 5:8).35. all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron—(or "Sharon," a rich vale between Joppa and Cæsarea).
saw him, and turned to the Lord—that is, there was a general conversion in consequence.36-39. at Joppa—the modern Jaffa, on the Mediterranean, a very ancient city of the Philistines, afterwards and still the seaport of Jerusalem, from which it lies distant forty-five miles to the northwest.
Tabitha . . . Dorcas—the Syro-Chaldaic and Greek names for an antelope or gazelle, which, from its loveliness, was frequently employed as a proper name for women [MEYER, OLSHAUSEN]. Doubtless the interpretation, as here given, is but an echo of the remarks made by the Christians regarding her—how well her character answered to her name. full of good works and alms-deeds—eminent for the activities and generosities of the Christian character.37. when they had washed—according to the custom of civilized nations towards the dead.
in an—rather, "the" upper chamber—(compare 1Ki 17:19).38. the disciples sent unto Peter—showing that the disciples generally did not possess miraculous gifts [BENGEL].
39. all the widows—whom she had clad or fed.
stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made—that is, (as the tense implies), showing these as specimens only of what she was in the habit of making.40-43. Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down—the one in imitation of his Master's way (Lu 8:54; and compare 2Ki 4:33); the other, in striking contrast with it. The kneeling became the lowly servant, but not the Lord Himself, of whom it is never once recorded that he knelt in the performance of a miracle.
opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up—The graphic minuteness of detail here imparts to the narrative an air of charming reality.41. he gave her his hand, and lifted her up—as his Lord had done to his own mother-in-law (Mr 1:31).
40-43. Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down—the one in imitation of his Master's way (Lu 8:54; and compare 2Ki 4:33); the other, in striking contrast with it. The kneeling became the lowly servant, but not the Lord Himself, of whom it is never once recorded that he knelt in the performance of a miracle.
opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up—The graphic minuteness of detail here imparts to the narrative an air of charming reality.43. with one Simon a tanner—a trade regarded by the Jews as half unclean, and consequently disreputable, from the contact with dead animals and blood which was connected with it. For this reason, even by other nations, it is usually carried on at some distance from towns; accordingly, Simon's house was "by the seaside" (Ac 10:6). Peter's lodging there shows him already to some extent above Jewish prejudice.