Dorcas

Dorcas / Tabitha

Acts 9:36-40 Dorcas

Acts 9:41-43 Saints

ACTS 9:36 36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.

What does "Dorcas" (Acts 9:36) mean?
Dorcas is a Greek word that means "Gazelle." "Tabitha" (Acts 9:36) is the Aramaic equivalent of Dorcas and has the same meaning (From the sixth century BC, Aramaic gradually replaced Hebrew as the language of the Jews).

ACTS 9:37-38 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.

Were the disciples in Joppa hoping Peter would heal Dorcas?
Dorcas already had "died" and been "washed" (Acts 9:37). There is no record of them asking Peter to conduct a funeral for her, so they were hoping for Dorcas to be raised from the dead.

Where is Joppa (Acts 9:36)?
Also called "Yafo" or "Jaffa" in Hebrew, Joppa is a city on the Mediterranean Sea and the nearest port to Jerusalem, which lies about 50 kilometers (31 miles) to the southeast. Lydda lies in between Joppa and Jerusalem, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Joppa.

ACTS 9:39 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

What were some of Dorcas' “charitable deeds” (Acts 9:36)?
Because men were the breadwinners in those days, most "widows" (Acts 9:39) were poor, especially if they had no son to provide for them. And because all clothes were handmade in those days, they were expensive. Dorcas most likely made and gave the "tunics and garments" (Acts 9:39) to the widows, who were showing them to Peter.

ACTS 9:40 40 But Peter put 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.

What is Peter raising Tabitha reminiscent of?
Jesus raising Talitha in Mark 5:38-42: "Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement."

What is the main difference between the two incidents?
Jesus raised the dead with His own power. Peter "prayed" (Acts 9:40) to the Lord to raise Tabitha. As such, both raisings were more similar than different: both dead people were raised by Jesus.