The Resurrection At Joppa (Acts 9:36 42) Introduction: Of the nine resurrections scenes that we find in the scripture where individuals who had died were resurrected from a state of death, eight have been the subject of sermons here in recent weeks. 1. We looked at the resurrection of a son that took place at Zarephath in 1 Kings 17 during the ministry of Elijah. 2. We looked at the resurrection of a son that took place at Shunem in 2 Kings 4 during the ministry of Elisha. 3. We looked at the resurrection of a soldier that took place at Elisha s grave in Samaria in 2 Kings 13. 4-6. We looked at the resurrections of three individuals that were raised by Jesus from a state of death including a young man at Nain, Jairus daughter at Capernaum, and Lazarus at Bethany. 7. We looked at the most amazing and critical resurrection in the Word of God, the resurrection of Jesus Himself at Jerusalem. And we discovered that the life-giving power of the risen Christ did not stop at Jerusalem. In fact, His life-giving power has spread throughout all the earth as human souls have been given newness of life in Jesus. Furthermore, after the resurrection of Jesus, in the time of the apostles, there were at least two individuals who were raised from a state of death. 8. We have looked already at the resurrection of Eutychus at Troas in Acts 20 during Paul s ministry visit there. 9. Tonight, we re going to Joppa in Acts 9 where a woman named Tabitha or Dorcas was raised from the dead by God s ministry through Peter. Note: Is it significant that there are nine individuals that were raised from a state of death? According to J. Edwin Hartill in his book Principles of Biblical Hermeneutics, the number nine is the number of judgment, finality, and completion. Thus, these nine situations and resurrection scenes give us a complete picture of the fact that God can bring life out of death. Albert Barnes said of Joppa that This was a seaport town situated on the Mediterranean, in the tribe of Dan, about 30 miles south of Caesarea, and 45 northwest of Jerusalem. Among the possible meanings for the name Joppa are beauty, beautify, or beautiful; to shine; or comeliness. But when Dorcas died, the beauty faded for the other disciples at Joppa. The Bible says (Acts 9:36-38) 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. {37} 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. {38} 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. Keep in mind that this is prior to the raising of Eutychus in Acts 20. Nevertheless, there is a belief in the young church that God can work miracles in their midst. And truly, He is a miracle-working God!
I. Let s Consider The Expectation Of This Miracle (Acts 9:36 38) The Bible Knowledge Commentary states No one had been raised from the dead in the early church so far as the records of Acts declare, but the faith of the believers was so great they expected the Lord to use Peter to resurrect Dorcas. Warren Wiersbe also said There is no record in Acts that any of the Apostles had raised the dead, so their sending for Peter was an evidence of their faith in the power of the risen Christ When our Lord ministered on earth, He raised the dead, so why would He not be able to raise the dead from His exalted throne in glory? A. Notice The Helper At Joppa (Acts 9:36) 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. 1. The Bible Mentions The Identity Of This Woman A. T. Robertson explains much about this woman in defining these words Disciple matheetria. Feminine form of matheetees, a learner from manthanoo, to learn, a late word and found only here in the New Testament. Tabitha Tabitha. Aramaic form of the Hebrew Tsbiy and, like the Greek word Dorcas Dorkas, means Gazelle, the creature with the beautiful look (or eyes), from derkomai. The gazelle was a favorite type for beauty in the orient (Song of Solomon 2:9,17; 4:5; 7:3). She may have had both the Aramaic and the Greek name, Tabitha Dorcas like John Mark. There is nothing said about a husband and so she was probably unmarried. She is the second woman mentioned by name after Pentecost (Sapphira the other). J. Cynddylan Jones said That St. Luke directs special attention to the name is a presumptive proof that it was expressive of the rare beauty of the maid who bore it. (From The Biblical Illustrator) We would say she was a real dear. 2. The Bible Mentions The Involvement Of This Woman (Acts 9:36) 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. The good works signifies the beneficial things that she occupied herself with. almsdeeds Greek 1654. eleemosune, el-eh-ay-mos-oo'-nay; from G1656; compassionateness, i.e. (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concr.) a benefaction:--alms (-deeds). (Acts 9:39) 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 showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. Barnes says [Full of good works] Distinguished for good works. Compare 1 Timothy 2:10; Titus 2:7. [And almsdeeds] Acts of kindness to the poor. Adam Clarke said She spent her life in acts of kindness and charity. Her soul was full of love to God and man; and her whole time was filled up with works of piety and mercy. B. Notice The Heartache At Joppa (Acts 9:37) 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. 1. Consider The Heartache Of Her Disease The Thayer s Greek Lexicon says of this word sick (NT: 770 astheneésasan) that it means To be weak, feeble; to be without strength, powerless Specially of debility in health: simply, to be feeble, sick. T. De Witt Talmage said There is a sudden pause in that woman s ministry. All through the haunts of wretchedness the news comes: Dorcas is sick! And now, alas, for Joppa! There is wailing. That voice which had uttered so many cheerful words is hushed; that hand, which had made so many garments for the poor, is cold and still. In every place in that town, where there is sickness, or hunger, or guilt, or sorrow, there are despairing looks and streaming eyes as they cry: Dorcas is dead! (From The Biblical Illustrator) 2. Consider The Heartache Of Her Death One writer said
Religion does not exempt us from the common calamities of life. (W. Jay from The Biblical Illustrator) Craig Keener said It has been suggested that Tabitha may have been a patron or benefactor of the widows mentioned in verse 41. But whether officially (as a benefactor) or unofficially, she was looking out for their interests. (The IVP Bible Background Commentary) Adam Clarke said they washed the body Having the fullest proof that she was dead, they prepared for her interment. In most nations of the world it was customary to wash their dead before they buried them, and before they laid them out to lie in state. C. Notice The Hope At Joppa (Acts 9:38) 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. The laying of the body in an upper chamber is reminiscent of the widow at Zarephath and the woman at Shunem, and they may well have done this expecting God to do the miraculous through Peter. John Calvin said He saith in plain words that she was sick, that he may the more plainly express her death which followed. To the same end he saith that the corpse was washed and laid in an upper chamber; therefore, these circumstances serve to make the miracle to be believed. Whereas they carry her not straightway to the grave, but lay her in the upper part of the house, that they may keep her there, we may thereby gather that they had some hope of recovering her life. 1. Their Hope Was Based In The Competent Power In Peter s Ministry Following the death of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, the Bible says (Acts 5:12-16) And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. {13} And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. {14} And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) {15} Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. {16} There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. And more recently (Acts 9:32-35) And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. {33} And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. {34} And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. {35} And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 2. Their Hope Was Based In The Close Proximity Of Peter s Ministry (Acts 9:38) 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. Easton s Bible Dictionary says of Lydda that It lay about 9 miles east of Joppa, on the road from the sea-port to Jerusalem. Other sources say it was 11 miles. Either way, it was relatively close to Joppa. Craig S. Keener said It is important that Lydda is near Joppa, because corpses had to be buried right away. The distance of ten miles meant perhaps three or four hours journey each way (for the messengers to Peter and Peter to Joppa); because it was customary to bury the corpse before sundown, even if Tabitha had died early in the day they could afford no delay. (From the IVP Bible Background Commentary) God is close enough to do something about your situation! II. Let s Consider The Experience Of This Miracle (Acts 9:39 40) A. There Was A Sorrow That Was Part Of This Experience (Acts 9:39) 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 showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 1. The Evidence Of Sorrow Is Seen In The Act Of The Widows Weeping The Thayer s Greek Lexicon says that the word weeping (NT:2799 klaiousai) is synonymous with the idea of Shedding tears, weep silently; to weep audibly, to cry as a child; to give verbal expression to grief, to lament; to
give formal expression to grief, to sing a dirge; to wail in oriental style, to howl in a consecrated, semi-liturgical fashion; to express grief by inarticulate or semi-articulate sounds, to groan. weeping Greek 2799. klaio, klah'-yo; of uncert. affin.; to sob, i.e. wail aloud (whereas G1145 is rather to cry silently):--bewail. weep. Weeping is a token of pain or grief, and it has the idea of bewailing or mourning or lamenting, in this case, over one who has died. 2. The Evidence Of Sorrow Is Seen In The Appreciation Of The Woman s Work A. T. Robertson said this is a Vivid picture of this group of widows as they stood around Peter, weeping klaiousai and showing epideiknumenai, present middle as belonging to themselves, ( pointing with pride to ) the very inner garments chitoonas and outer garments himatia, like the Latin tunica and toga, which she made (from time to time epoiei, imperfect active, repeated action). It was a heart-breaking scene. B. There Was A Supplication That Was Part Of This Experience (Acts 9:40) 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. 1. Consider The Focused Seclusion Of His Prayer Jesus said (Matthew 6:6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret (private); and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. A. T. Robertson said Put them all forth ekbaloon exoo pantas. Second aorist (effective) active participle of ekballoo, a rather strong word, perhaps with some difficulty. Compare Mark 5:40 which incident Peter may have recalled. (Mark 5:40) And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. (Psalms 91:1) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. When you persist in the private place, you can have permanence in the protected place with Almighty God. Regarding the privacy of Peter s praying, Albert Barnes said Why this was done is not said. Perhaps it was because he did not wish to appear as if seeking publicity. If done in the presence of many persons, it might seem like ostentation. Others suppose it was that he might offer more fervent prayer to God than he would be willing they should witness. When he finished praying, he turned to the body. So he had not been focused on the dead one, but the Divine One. 2. Consider The Familiar Simplicity Of His Prayer A. T. Robertson went on to say Peter s praying alone reminds one of Elijah (1 Kings 17:20) and the widow s son and Elisha for the Shunammite s son (2 Kings 4:33). (1 Kings 17:19-20) And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. {20} And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? (2 Kings 4:32-33) And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. {33} He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. John MacArthur shared the following story, saying that Many years ago five young college students made their way to London to hear Charles Haddon Spurgeon preach. Arriving early at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, they found the doors still locked. While they waited on the steps, a man approached them. Would you like to see the heating apparatus of this church? he asked. That was not what they had come for, but they agreed to go with him. He led them into the building, down a long flight of stairs, and into a hallway. At the end of the hallway he opened a door into a large room filled with seven hundred people on their knees praying. That, said their guide (who was none other than Spurgeon himself), is the heating apparatus of this church. C. There Was A Statement That Was Part Of This Experience (Acts 9:40) 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. 1. This Statement Involved A Personal Word John Calvin said This seemeth also to be contrary to reason, that he speaketh unto a corpse without feeling; but this speaking unto the dead corpse was one point of the vehemency whereunto the Spirit of God enforced Peter. And if any man desire a reason, this form of speech doth more lively express the power of God in raising the dead, than if it should be said in the third person, let this body receive life again and live. Therefore, when as Ezekiel doth shadow the deliverance of the people under a figure of the resurrection: O dead bones, (saith he,) hear the word of the Lord, (Ezekiel 37:4.)
A. T. Robertson said Tabitha, arise Tabitha, anasteethi. With sublime faith like Talitha koum of Jesus in Mark 5:41. (Mark 5:41) And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. Peter addressed her personally. 2. This Statement Involved A Particular Word Peter said arise. arise Greek 450. anistemi, an-is'-tay-mee; from G303 and G2476; to stand up (lit. or fig., trans. or intrans.):-- arise, lift up, raise up (again), rise (again), stand up (-right). This is the same word that is used in verse 39 when the men came to get Peter and he arose and came with them. He got up to go with them, and now she gets up to go with him. We must go get the One who can cause the dead to get up! Matthew Henry said Power went along with this word, and she came to life, opened her eyes which death had closed. Thus, in the raising of dead souls to spiritual life, the first sign of life is the opening of the eyes of the mind. III. Let s Consider The Effect Of This Miracle (Acts 9:41 42) A. This Miracle Resulted In A Presentation (Acts 9:41) And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 1. This Presentation Was For The Congregation The word saints means saints Greek 40. hagios, hag'-ee-os; from hagos (an awful thing) [comp. G53, H2282]; sacred (phys. pure, mor. blameless or religious, cer. consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint. Saints and widows are mentioned distinctly, because as Adam Clarke reminds us In primitive times the widows formed a distinct part of the Christian church. John MacArthur said Having finished praying, Peter turned to Dorcas s body and said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. For those who loved her the joy must have been inexpressible. That God did not raise her solely for their benefit, however, will soon become evident. 2. This Presentation Was Framing The Contrast In other words, it portrays the contrast between life and death. presented Greek 3936. paristemi, par-is'-tay-mee; or prol. paristano, par-is-tan'-o; from G3844 and G2476; to stand beside, i.e. (trans.) to exhibit, proffer, (spec.) recommend, (fig.) substantiate; or (intrans.) to be at hand (or ready), aid:--assist, bring before, command, commend, give presently, present, prove, provide, shew, stand (before, by, here, up, with), yield. It s as if she was on display as a tribute to God s power. In verse 37, she died. died Greek 599. apothnesko, ap-oth-nace'-ko; from G575 and G2348; to die off (lit. or fig.):--be dead, death, die, lie a-dying, be slain (X with). In verse 41, she is alive. alive Greek 2198. zao, dzah'-o; a prim. verb; to live (lit. or fig.):--life (-time), (a-) live (-ly), quick. B. This Miracle Resulted In A Proclamation (Acts 9:42) And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 1. There Was An Acquaintance With This Message known Greek 1110. gnostos, gnoce-tos'; from G1097; well known:--acquaintance, (which may be) known, notable. 2. There Was An Area With This Message throughout all Joppa C. This Miracle Resulted In A Persuasion (Acts 9:42) And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 1. Consider The Operation Of Belief many suggests a large, abundant group
believed Greek 4100. pisteuo, pist-yoo'-o; from G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by impl. to entrust (espec. one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with. 2. Consider The Object Of Belief in the Lord Conclusion: The conclusion of all of these resurrection accounts is that God is the One who can bring life out of death! Whether your need is salvation or revival, God can bring life into the situation.