Dorcas

36In the town of Joppa lived a follower named Tabitha. In Greek her name was Dorcas. She was always doing kind things and helping poor people.

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.

NoteJoppa was a town on the seashore with a harbor. Tabitha and Dorcas are the same name in two languages. Both mean "gazelle," a small deer that runs fast. The King James word "almsdeeds" means money or food given to poor people.

37At that time she got sick and died. They washed her body. Then they laid her in a room upstairs.

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.

NoteWashing the body was how people got someone ready to be buried. Friends and family did this careful, kind job. Burials usually happened the same day.

38Lydda was near Joppa. The followers heard that Peter was in Lydda. They sent two men to ask him, "Please come to us right away."

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.

39So Peter got up and went with them. When he came, they took him to the upstairs room. All the widows stood around him, crying. Widows are women whose husbands have died. They showed him the coats and clothes Dorcas made when she was with 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.

NoteWidows are women whose husbands have died. Back then a widow often had no way to earn money. The other believers looked after them. The "coats" were long shirts people wore every day.

40Peter sent everyone out of the room. He knelt down and prayed. Then he turned toward her body and said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up.

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.

41He took her hand and helped her stand up. Then he called God's people and the widows in. He showed them that she was alive.

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

42People all over Joppa heard about this. Many of them believed in the Lord.

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

43Peter stayed in Joppa for many days. He stayed with a man named Simon, who made leather from animal skins.

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

NoteA tanner turned animal skins into leather. The work smelled bad, so tanners often lived at the edge of town. It also meant touching dead animals. Jewish rules said that made a person unclean for a time.