Acts 9:41 kjv
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
Acts 9:41 nkjv
Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
Acts 9:41 niv
He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.
Acts 9:41 esv
And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
Acts 9:41 nlt
He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.
Acts 9 41 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mat 9:25 | But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. | Jesus raises Jairus' daughter by hand. |
| Lk 7:15 | And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. | Jesus raises the widow's son at Nain. |
| Jn 11:43-44 | When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The man who had died came out… | Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. |
| Mk 5:41-42 | Taking her by the hand, he said to her, "Talitha cumi," which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." | Jesus uses touch to raise Jairus' daughter. |
| Acts 3:6-8 | "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" | Peter's power to heal the lame man. |
| Acts 5:12-16 | Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. | General signs and wonders by apostles. |
| Jas 1:27 | Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction. | Care for widows, theme of Tabitha's life. |
| 1 Tim 5:3 | Honor widows who are truly widows. | Instructions for supporting widows. |
| Deut 14:29 | ...and the Levite...and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns, shall come and eat... | Old Testament care for widows. |
| Jn 11:4 | But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for God’s glory..." | Miracles for God's glory and witness. |
| Acts 2:43 | And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. | Miracles produce awe and confirm apostles. |
| Lk 7:16 | Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" | People glorified God for miracles. |
| Mk 1:31 | He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her. | Jesus' compassionate touch and healing. |
| 1 Cor 15:58 | Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord... | Encouragement for believers to serve. |
| Titus 3:8 | The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. | Emphasizes importance of good works. |
| Acts 10:24 | ...Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. | Gathering people for divine encounter. |
| Acts 1:15 | In those days Peter stood up among the brothers... (about 120 people were together). | Believers gathered in community. |
| Rom 1:7 | To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints... | Definition of "saints" as believers. |
| 1 Jn 3:2 | Beloved, we are God's children now... | Believers as "children of God" (saints). |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works... | Created for good works, like Tabitha. |
| Acts 9:42 | And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. | Immediate outcome: widespread belief. |
| 2 Cor 1:9-10 | Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. | God is the one who raises the dead. |
Acts 9 verses
Acts 9 41 Meaning
Acts 9:41 describes the moment after the apostle Peter raised Tabitha (also called Dorcas) from the dead in Joppa. After his prayer, Peter reached out his hand, lifted her up, and then summoned the believers and widows to present her alive. This act vividly demonstrates God's life-giving power working through Peter, restoring a faithful servant to life and confirming the truth of the Gospel to the gathered community. It underscores the compassionate and miraculous nature of apostolic ministry in the early church, designed to confirm the message of Jesus Christ and strengthen the faith of the community.
Acts 9 41 Context
Acts 9:41 occurs within a significant period of Peter's ministry, specifically after the dramatic conversion of Saul (who later became Paul) and as the Gospel began spreading beyond Jerusalem. Chapters 9–12 of Acts highlight Peter's role in the expansion of the early Christian community to Gentile audiences. Prior to verse 41, Peter travels from Lydda, where he healed Aeneas, to Joppa (a port city), a community with a considerable number of believers. Here, a devout woman named Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek), known for her "good works and acts of charity" (Acts 9:36), falls ill and dies. Her death deeply impacts the Christian community, especially the widows whom she faithfully served. Grieved, the believers send for Peter, who arrives, clears the room, prays, and commands Tabitha to "rise." This immediate context sets the stage for Peter's act of restoring her to life, a pivotal miracle that strengthens the fledgling church and directly leads to widespread belief in the Lord throughout Joppa (Acts 9:42).
Acts 9 41 Word analysis
And he gave her his hand, (καὶ δοὺς αὐτῇ χεῖρα - kai dous autē cheira)
- And he gave her: The act of Peter extending his hand to Tabitha after raising her. This physical interaction highlights Peter's compassion and initiative. It mirrors similar actions of Jesus in healing and raising the dead (Mk 1:31; 5:41). It emphasizes that Peter is not a passive recipient of divine power, but an active instrument, demonstrating both his authority given by Christ and his care for individuals.
- his hand: The hand represents active engagement, compassion, and the instrument through which God's power is channeled. This physical touch signifies an intimate and tangible connection, assuring Tabitha's return to life.
and lifted her up; (καὶ ἀνέστησεν αὐτήν - kai anesthēsen autēn)
- lifted her up: From the Greek verb anistēmi (ἀνίστημι), meaning "to cause to rise, raise up." This is the same root often used for resurrection. While Tabitha's raising is a resuscitation (she would die again), the term used emphasizes the powerful and definitive act of bringing someone from death to life. This is not simply a helping hand; it's a divine reversal of death, empowering her to physically stand.
and when he had called the saints (καὶ φωνήσας τοὺς ἁγίους - kai phōnēsaas tous hagious)
- and when he had called: From phōnēsaas (φωνήσας), literally "having called out." This indicates Peter's purposeful act of summoning the believers. He is ensuring witnesses to the miracle, establishing its truth and communal significance.
- the saints: The Greek term hagioi (ἅγιοι) here refers to the "holy ones" or "set-apart ones"—the early Christians, the members of the believing community in Joppa. It’s a common New Testament term for all followers of Christ, indicating their consecrated status by God, not just individuals of extraordinary holiness or canonized figures.
and widows, (καὶ χήρας - kai chēras)
- and widows: These were a particularly vulnerable demographic in ancient society, often dependent on the community for support. Tabitha had distinguished herself by her ministry and good works on their behalf (Acts 9:36, 39). Their specific mention underscores the profound impact of Tabitha's death and resurrection on those whom she directly served, highlighting the tangible benefit of her restored life for the welfare of the church and society.
he presented her alive. (παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν - parestēsen autēn zōsan)
- he presented her: From paristēmi (παρίστημι), meaning "to present, exhibit, bring before." This verb conveys a public act, a formal showing. Peter is not hiding the miracle; he is demonstrating it for all to see. This public display serves as undeniable proof of the miracle and glorifies God.
- alive: Zōsan (ζῶσαν) unequivocally states her condition—she was no longer dead but fully restored to life. This emphasizes the reality and completeness of the miracle, removing any doubt.
Acts 9 41 Bonus section
- The miracle performed by Peter, like the earlier one of healing Aeneas (Acts 9:32-35), showcases the continuation of Jesus's ministry through His apostles. These acts establish Peter's apostolic authority and the authenticity of the message of the Kingdom of God.
- This specific instance is one of the only two documented cases of an apostle raising the dead in the Book of Acts (the other being Paul raising Eutychus in Acts 20:9-12). It underscores the extraordinary power and divine presence working through the early church.
- Tabitha's story elevates the significant, yet often overlooked, role of women in the early Christian community. Her service, specifically to widows, demonstrates a practical manifestation of Christian love and charity, which was deeply valued and remembered by the church. Her resurrection emphasizes that even "small" acts of kindness have profound spiritual significance and are noticed by God.
- The incident occurred in Joppa (modern Jaffa), a coastal city with a rich biblical history (e.g., Jonah and the whale). The strategic location likely aided in the spread of the news about this miracle to surrounding areas, fulfilling the mandate of Acts 1:8 regarding the Gospel spreading to the "ends of the earth."
- This resurrection is a 'resuscitation', meaning Tabitha was brought back to her earthly life and would eventually die again. This differs from Jesus's resurrection, which was into a glorified, eternal body, foreshadowing the ultimate resurrection for all believers.
Acts 9 41 Commentary
Acts 9:41 presents a concise yet powerful depiction of divine intervention. Peter's action of giving Tabitha his hand and lifting her up underscores the compassionate and personal nature of God's power flowing through His chosen vessels, reminiscent of Jesus' own method in similar miracles. This raising from the dead is a clear sign, intended not just for Tabitha but for the entire community. Peter deliberately calls "the saints and widows"—the believing community, and particularly those who directly benefited from Tabitha's generous service—to witness her return. This public presentation (or "exhibition") of Tabitha alive served multiple crucial purposes: it verified the authenticity of the miracle, dispelled any skepticism about her death or restoration, provided immense comfort and joy to a grieving community, and, most significantly, glorified God and strengthened the faith of believers, leading to many more coming to faith in the Lord (Acts 9:42). This event also highlights the value of selfless service within the church, as Tabitha's good deeds contributed to the community's earnest prayer for her and the powerful impact of her restoration.