Acts 9 42

Acts 9:42 kjv

And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

Acts 9:42 nkjv

And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.

Acts 9:42 niv

This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

Acts 9:42 esv

And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Acts 9:42 nlt

The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 42 Meaning

Acts 9:42 records the widespread impact of Tabitha's resurrection in Joppa. This divine act of restoring life, performed through Peter's ministry, became widely known across the entire city. As a direct result of this miraculous demonstration of God's power, many inhabitants of Joppa turned to faith, believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. The verse highlights the verifiable nature of early Christian miracles and their role as catalysts for the growth of the early Church.

Acts 9 42 Context

Acts chapter 9 marks a pivotal point in the spread of the Gospel. It begins with Saul's dramatic conversion, a monumental shift that would shape the future of Christianity. Following this, the narrative shifts to Peter, highlighting his significant healing miracles. Verse 9:32-35 describes Peter's healing of Aeneas in Lydda, which resulted in the conversion of all those living in Lydda and Sharon. Immediately preceding Acts 9:42, verses 9:36-41 recount the resurrection of Tabitha (Dorcas) in Joppa, a disciple known for her good works and acts of charity. This specific verse (Acts 9:42) serves as the direct outcome and immediate effect of that remarkable miracle. Joppa, a prominent port city on the Mediterranean coast, had a mixed population, and this event laid a crucial foundation for future ministry there, especially in relation to the events of Acts 10 concerning Peter's vision and Cornelius. The miraculous act publicly demonstrated the divine approval and power backing Peter's ministry, validating the Christian message in the eyes of the community.

Acts 9 42 Word analysis

• And it became known (καὶ γνωστόν ἐγένετο, kai gnōston egeneto): This phrase signifies that the event was not hidden or obscure. "Known" (gnōston) implies common knowledge, and "became" (egeneto) emphasizes a development or outcome. It suggests the information spread naturally and widely due to its extraordinary nature and verification. This public awareness serves to validate the miracle.

• throughout all Joppa (ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ Ἰόππῃ, en holē tē Ioppē): The use of "all" (holē) indicates that the news permeated every part of the city. Joppa was a significant coastal city, and a widespread awareness there implied a substantial witness and an inescapable truth. This suggests comprehensive communication and recognition of the event.

• and many (καὶ πολλοὶ, kai polloi): This denotes a significant number, implying a mass movement or widespread acceptance rather than just a few isolated individuals. It shows the tangible growth of the early church through God's power.

• believed (ἐπίστευσαν, episteusan): This verb is in the aorist tense, indicating a definite action completed in the past. It signifies a decisive act of faith and commitment, not merely intellectual acknowledgment but an active trust and surrender. In the context of Acts, "to believe" often carries the full weight of repentance, embracing the Gospel, and receiving Christ.

• in the Lord (ἐπὶ τὸν Κύριον, epi ton Kyrion): This prepositional phrase indicates the object of their belief and commitment. "The Lord" (ho Kyrios) in Acts frequently refers to Jesus Christ, denoting His divine authority, sovereignty, and saving power. Believing "in the Lord" means acknowledging Jesus' identity as Lord and Savior and placing one's trust fully in Him for salvation. This distinguishes their new faith from prior beliefs in pagan deities or mere human figures.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And it became known throughout all Joppa; and many believed...": This highlights a causal relationship: the widespread public knowledge of a divine intervention led directly to a widespread spiritual response of faith. God's act (miracle) served as undeniable testimony, preparing hearts for conversion.
  • "...many believed in the Lord.": This phrase captures the essence of early Christian evangelism: powerful signs accompany the proclamation of Jesus' Lordship, leading to salvific faith among those who witness or hear of these deeds. The objective, verifiable miracle paved the way for subjective, saving faith.

Acts 9 42 Bonus section

The raising of Tabitha in Joppa directly precedes and sets the stage for the pivotal events of Acts chapter 10, where Peter receives his vision on the rooftop of Simon the tanner's house (who lived in Joppa, Acts 9:43) and is subsequently called to preach to Cornelius, a Gentile. The conversions in Joppa, a Gentile-influenced port city, illustrate the expanding scope of the Gospel beyond a purely Jewish audience. The presence of Simon the tanner in Joppa is also symbolic; his trade involved contact with dead animals, which was considered ritually unclean by Jewish law, subtly hinting at the coming breaking down of ceremonial barriers for the inclusion of Gentiles, which is fully addressed in Acts 10 and 11. This miracle, therefore, is not an isolated event but a critical step in God's redemptive plan to include all nations in His kingdom. It reinforces the principle that God often uses concrete, observable manifestations of His power to prepare hearts for the deeper, spiritual truths of the Gospel, bridging the gap from human experience to divine revelation and salvation.

Acts 9 42 Commentary

Acts 9:42 concisely captures a crucial dynamic in the early church: divine demonstration leading to spiritual growth. The resurrection of Tabitha, a publicly verified miracle performed through Peter, left an indelible mark on Joppa. This event was not merely a private affair; its immediate and widespread public recognition ("it became known throughout all Joppa") underscores its power as a public testament to God's active presence. This miraculous sign, deeply rooted in the compassion shown to Tabitha and the mourners, served as a profound vindication of the Christian message and the authority vested in Peter. As a result, many people in Joppa, upon witnessing or hearing of this undeniable act of God's power over death, responded with saving faith, acknowledging Jesus as "the Lord." This verse illustrates God's strategy: signs and wonders authenticate the messengers and their message, removing barriers to belief and fostering mass conversions. It also implicitly highlights the practical outcome of genuine faith, as Tabitha herself was known for her "good works and acts of charity" (Acts 9:36), demonstrating that belief in the Lord transforms lives into active discipleship.