Acts 9:40 kjv
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.
Acts 9:40 nkjv
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.
Acts 9:40 niv
Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.
Acts 9:40 esv
But Peter put them all outside, 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.
Acts 9:40 nlt
But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, "Get up, Tabitha." And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up!
Acts 9 40 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 5:41 | Then He took the hand of the child and said to her, "Talitha, koum!" ... | Jesus' command to Jairus's daughter, direct parallel. |
| Lk 7:14-15 | ... "Young man, I say to you, arise!" And he who was dead sat up... | Jesus raising the son of the widow of Nain. |
| Jn 11:43-44 | ... He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" And he who was dead came out... | Jesus' powerful command raising Lazarus. |
| 1 Ki 17:21-22 | Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times, and cried out to the Lord... And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the life of the boy returned to him... | Elijah's intercession for the widow's son. |
| 2 Ki 4:34-35 | He went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth... And the flesh of the child grew warm... Then the child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. | Elisha's act of resuscitation of the Shunammite's son. |
| Acts 20:9-12 | And Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said... "Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him." And they brought the young man alive... | Paul raising Eutychus from the dead. |
| Heb 11:35 | Women received their dead raised to life again. | General statement about resurrection by faith. |
| Mk 5:40 | But when they put him outside, He went in where the child was lying. | Jesus putting others out before Jairus's daughter's resurrection. |
| Mt 6:6 | But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place... | Principle of private, focused prayer. |
| Jas 5:16 | The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. | Emphasis on the power of earnest prayer. |
| Phil 4:6 | Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication... | General command for prayer in all circumstances. |
| Eph 6:18 | praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit... | The necessity of constant prayer. |
| Col 4:2 | Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. | Perseverance and alertness in prayer. |
| Lk 18:1 | that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. | Perseverance in prayer. |
| Acts 3:6 | Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." | Peter's authority exercised through Jesus' name. |
| Acts 4:10 | ...by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth...by Him this man stands here before you whole. | The source of power for miracles. |
| Acts 5:15-16 | ...they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. | Recognition of Peter's healing anointing. |
| Lk 9:1 | Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. | Jesus empowering His apostles for ministry. |
| Jn 14:12 | Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. | Promise of continued powerful works through believers. |
| Acts 9:36 | At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which translated means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds... | Context of Tabitha's character and service. |
| Jas 1:27 | Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble... | Tabitha's ministry aligns with pure religion. |
| 2 Cor 1:3-4 | ...the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble... | God's comforting presence in suffering, applied through His servants. |
Acts 9 verses
Acts 9 40 Meaning
Acts chapter 9, verse 40 details the miraculous resurrection of Tabitha (Dorcas) by the apostle Peter in Joppa. After clearing the room of mourners and humbly seeking divine intervention through prayer, Peter addresses the deceased woman with a direct command. The verse vividly describes the immediate effect of this divine power—Tabitha opens her eyes, recognizes Peter, and sits up, signifying her complete restoration to life. This event demonstrates God's power working through His chosen apostle to bring life from death, confirming Peter's ministry and bringing glory to God.
Acts 9 40 Context
Acts chapter 9 marks a significant phase in the expansion of the early church beyond Jerusalem. Following Saul's conversion, Peter undertakes a missionary journey through the coastal plain of Israel. Before the resurrection of Tabitha, Peter heals Aeneas in Lydda (Acts 9:32-35), resulting in many turning to the Lord. The narrative then shifts to Joppa, where a devout female disciple named Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek) dies. She was highly esteemed for her good works and acts of charity, especially among the widows. The disciples in Joppa, hearing that Peter was nearby in Lydda, urgently sent for him, likely hoping for a miracle given the reputation of the apostles and the desperation of the situation. Upon his arrival, he is shown Tabitha's body and the garments she had made, a testament to her charitable life, highlighting the great loss felt by the community. It is within this emotional context of mourning and fervent hope that Peter performs the resurrection described in Acts 9:40. This event would subsequently lead to many people in Joppa believing in the Lord (Acts 9:42), further expanding the reach of the Gospel.
Acts 9 40 Word analysis
- But Peter (Πέτρος δὲ, Petros de): The conjunction "But" indicates a shift or contrast in action. Peter acts decisively, in contrast to the previous state of lamentation and display of grief.
- put them all forth (ἐκβαλὼν ἔξω πάντας, ekbalōn exō pantas): Literally, "having cast out all outside." This mirrors Jesus' actions (Mk 5:40) when raising Jairus's daughter. It signifies the need for privacy and singular focus for the miracle. The removal of emotional distractions creates an atmosphere of solemn anticipation and allows Peter to concentrate on spiritual power.
- and kneeled down (καὶ θείς τὰ γόνατα, kai theis ta gonata): A posture of deep humility, earnestness, and supplication. Kneeling in prayer signifies a complete dependence on God's power rather than Peter's own ability. It demonstrates reverence and intense petition.
- and prayed (προσηύξατο, prosēuxato): This indicates a specific act of prayer, highlighting that the resurrection was not a direct command by Peter in his own strength, but an outcome of seeking God's will and power. Prayer is the channel through which divine power flows.
- and turning him to the body (στραφεὶς πρὸς τὸ σῶμα, strafeis pros to sōma): Peter physically directs his attention and address towards Tabitha's deceased body, signaling the command is directly aimed at her. This movement signifies a shift from humble prayer to authoritative command.
- said (εἶπεν, eīpen): Simple, direct communication. The verb is in the aorist tense, signifying a completed action.
- Tabitha, arise (Ταβιθά ἀνάστηθι, Tabitha anastēthi): "Tabitha" is her Aramaic name, signifying intimacy. "Arise!" (ἀνάστηθι) is an imperative verb from anistēmi, meaning "to stand up" or "to be raised." It is the same commanding word used by Jesus in other resurrection accounts (e.g., Mk 5:41: "Talitha koum," Aramaic for "Little girl, arise"). It implies immediate and complete restoration.
- And she opened her eyes (ἤνοιξεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῆς, ēnoixen tous ophthalmount autēs): The first immediate sign of life returning. Her senses respond, confirming she is truly alive.
- and when she saw Peter (ἰδοῦσα δὲ Πέτρον, idousa de Petron): This indicates a conscious act of sight and recognition, not just reflexive opening of eyes. It affirms her full cognitive recovery.
- she sat up (ἀνεκάθισεν, anekathisen): This final action confirms full bodily function and awareness. She not only regained life but was also able to move and resume a natural posture.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed": This sequence reveals Peter's spiritual discipline. He clears the physical space and prepares himself spiritually through prayer, emphasizing that divine power for miracles is invoked through earnest, private petition, rather than public spectacle or human will alone. It shows a pattern of apostolic conduct reflecting that of Jesus.
- "and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise": This swift transition from humble prayer to authoritative command highlights the nature of divine empowerment. Peter, having received instruction or impetus through prayer, then acts boldly as God's instrument. The direct, simple command reflects the sovereign power of God.
- "And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up": This triplet of actions describes the immediate, progressive, and complete nature of the miracle. From sight to recognition to full posture, the resurrection is undeniable and whole. The simple, direct descriptions underscore the reality and profound impact of the event.
Acts 9 40 Bonus section
The resurrection of Tabitha is one of only three explicit accounts of raising the dead in the Book of Acts (Peter raising Tabitha, Peter raising Eutychus through Paul's actions). These miracles underscore the apostles' divine authentication as messengers of God's new covenant. While God continues to heal and perform mighty works, direct resurrections of the dead are presented in Scripture as relatively rare, highly significant events typically associated with foundational moments or figures in redemptive history (like prophets Elijah and Elisha, Jesus, and the foundational apostles).
Tabitha's resurrection also serves as a crucial bridge narrative. It solidifies Peter's authority and prominence before he embarks on the pivotal mission to Cornelius, a Gentile, marking a critical turning point in the early church's outreach beyond Judaism. This miracle's widespread impact in Joppa ("many believed on the Lord," Acts 9:42) also foreshadows the explosive growth of the Gentile church, illustrating that divine power paves the way for Gospel expansion.
Acts 9 40 Commentary
Acts 9:40 is a pivotal moment in the early Christian narrative, showcasing the power of God working through His apostle Peter in a manner highly reminiscent of Jesus Himself. Peter's first action, "put them all forth," echoes Christ's own actions before raising Jairus's daughter (Mk 5:40), demonstrating not only Peter's spiritual maturity but also the divine continuity between Jesus' ministry and that of His apostles. This private setting emphasizes that the miracle's source is divine, not human theatrics. The act of "kneeled down, and prayed" underscores that the power of resurrection did not originate with Peter but flowed from God in response to humble and fervent prayer. This is not Peter's power, but God's power channelled through His obedient servant.
The direct command, "Tabitha, arise," spoken with authority after prayer, mirrors the life-giving words of Jesus (e.g., "Talitha koum" to Jairus's daughter, "Young man, I say to you, arise" to the Nain widow's son). This direct address signifies Peter as a divinely appointed instrument, speaking with God's authority. The instantaneous results – Tabitha opening her eyes, seeing Peter, and sitting up – validate the miracle. This event powerfully confirms Peter's apostolic calling, demonstrating that the Spirit-filled disciples could indeed perform "greater works" (Jn 14:12) as Jesus promised. It serves as a profound testimony to God's victory over death and His compassion for His people, particularly the marginalized, like the widows whom Tabitha served. The resurrection of Tabitha, a woman known for good works, underscores God's valuing of faithful service and His merciful intervention in human suffering.
For practical usage, this account teaches several key principles: the crucial role of humble prayer as the gateway to divine intervention, the necessity of faith and obedience in delivering God's power, and the ultimate purpose of such miracles—to draw people to believe in the Lord (as explicitly stated in Acts 9:42). It illustrates how God can use ordinary people, surrendered to Him in prayer, to accomplish extraordinary things, demonstrating His power for the furtherance of His kingdom.