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Acts 9:38

in Acts 9

Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.”

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

And 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.

KJV

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.

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This verse in Acts 9

Commentary

9 notes on this verse

A commentator

Oecumenius

Commentary on Acts · Written before 550.

And then having sent for, they summoned Peter. They did not do this before her death, considering it unworthy to disturb the disciples for such matters and to distract them from the preaching. Wherefore he also says that he was near. For they requested this …

This site's exposition

a certain disciple named Tabitha

on Acts 9:36-38

Tabitha, called Dorcas in Greek, is introduced by her works rather than her family or status, full of good works and almsdeeds which she did, a description the text lets stand as her whole memorial before her death. Her death and the washing and laying out of her body follow the ordinary customs of burial preparation, and the disciples at Joppa, hearing Peter was at nearby Lydda, send two men urging him not to delay. The urgency of the message, though Luke does not say the disciples expected a resurrection, sets up a scene the bench reads as deliberately answering the Lydda healing with something greater.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 21 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

"Not to delay to come unto them:" for she was a disciple. And Peter arose, and went with them. And when he was come, they led him into the upper chamber. They do not beseech, but leave it to him to give her life.

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Acts · Written before 1107.

proposed

The disciples who were in Joppa sent to Peter "asking him not to delay in coming to them." Notice the simplicity of the others and the complete absence of arrogance in Peter. They do not go themselves, but ask through two men for healing, and …

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

In other respects he was well enough, as touching the righteousness which is of the law, blameless, a man of no ill morals, but a blasphemer of Christ, a persecutor of Christians, and injurious to both, 1 Tim. i. And so ill informed was his conscience that he thought he ought to do what he did against the name of Christ ( ch. xxvi.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens

And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa,....

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

Sent unto him - desiring - that he would not delay to come - Tabitha died at Joppa, and Peter was at Lydda, about four leagues distant. But why did they send for Peter? We cannot tell. It is not likely that they had any expectation that he should raise her from the dead; for none of the apostles had as yet raised any; and if God did not choose to restore Stephen to life, this favor could not be reasonably expected in behalf of inferior persons.
2 more voices on this verse

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

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.
Was neigh to Joppa - See the notes on Act 9:32. They sent unto him ... - Why they sent is not affirmed. It is probable that they desired his presence to comfort and sustain them in their affliction. It is certainly possible that they expected he would restore her to life; but as this is not mentioned; as the apostles had as yet raised up no one from the dead; as even Stephen had not been restored to life, we have no authority for assuming, or supposing, that they had formed any such expectation.

The words behind it

25 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

10 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Acts 9:36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity.3 worksActs 9:32As Peter traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.2 works2 Kings 4:28–30Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’”2 worksActs 11:26and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.2 works2 Kings 4:22And the woman called her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may go quickly to the man of God and return.”2 worksActs 10:23So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.2 works
The other 4 cross-references, with their words ▾
Acts 10:5Now send men to Joppa to call for a man named Simon who is called Peter.2 worksActs 16:9During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”2 worksJohn 4:47When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die.2 worksLuke 8:41Just then a synagogue leader named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He begged Him to come to his house,2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Acts 11:26

    and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians…

    it leads to

    • 1 Peter 4:16

      But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.

    • Acts 26:28

      Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?”

    • 1 Peter 4:14

      If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

  • Through

    Acts 9:36

    In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity.

    it leads to

    • Titus 3:8

      This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable…

    • Titus 2:7

      In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,

    • 2 Chronicles 2:16

      We will cut logs from Lebanon, as many as you need, and we will float them to you as rafts by sea down to Joppa. Then you can take them up to Jerusalem.”

    • Hebrews 13:21

      equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

    • Acts 10:31

      and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God.

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 9 →
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 21; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on Acts and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.

Read on in Acts 9 →