TABITHA: GENEROUS ARTISAN

When we first meet Tabitha (“Dorcas” in Greek), she is laying on a bed in an upstairs room at her home: Dead.

But...that's not where her story begins, and it's not where it ends. 🙌

The very first detail revealed about Tabitha is that she is a disciple of Jesus. In fact, she is the ONLY woman in the Greek New Testament who is specifically named "disciple" (Greek: mathetria). She is one of the many followers of Jesus who doesn’t live in Jerusalem or Galilee.

Aerial View of Joppa (Jaffa/Tel-Aviv)

Tabitha lives in Joppa (modern-day Tel Aviv). It's a metropolitan port town built on trade, and it’s a town teaming with the wealthy and the under-resourced.

Fortunately for Joppa’s residents in need, there is a dedicated group of widows who serve the poor and devote themselves to good works and acts of charity—Tabitha is one of them. As the Women's Bible Commentary points out:

"She uses her ability to sew and possibly her own financial resources (9:36) so that she might make clothing for widows and, presumably, others who might be in need."

MEANWHILE, BACK IN JERUSALEM

A while after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, some of his followers have struck out on their own to share the good news. Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends and apostles, travels throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria visiting people he’d met during Jesus’ ministry years.

During one of his trips, Peter visits "the Lord's people who lived in Lydda" (Acts 9:32). While there, the apostle heals one of the men in the town—a paralytic. And when the paralyzed man stands up, everyone who witnesses the miracle turns to the Lord.

SIDENOTE: isn't it interesting there are ALREADY Christ-followers living in towns near and on the Mediterranean coast in Palestine? How'd they get there? Well, if you think back to Jesus' ministry, you will recall that He sends His followers out two-by-two (at least once). It's very possible that these people respond during those journeys, or maybe they were present at Pentecost (see Acts 2).

Now, Lydda is located about 11 miles from Joppa, and news travels fast!

"When the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, 'Please come at once!'" (Acts 9:38).

🐫 ON THE ROAD AGAIN...

When Peter receives the urgent message about Tabitha's illness, he immediately leaves with the messengers and heads straight to Joppa. Upon their arrival, they learn the sad news that Tabitha has already died.

The group heads upstairs to the room where her body has been laid. The room is full of people who have come to mourn the loss of such a beloved member of the community. Many of her widowed friends are there and can’t help but show off some of the beautiful tunics and other clothing she had recently made. Robin Gallaher Branch observes:

“Luke’s succinct description and the outpouring of grief at her death showed how greatly the believing community and widows loved Tabitha (v. 39)—a strong indication that Tabitha herself thoroughly enjoyed her work and loved these people in return.”

Compelled by compassion and moved by the mourners in the room, Peter makes a decision. He sends everyone out of the room, gets down on his knees, and prays. We have no idea what he says in prayer, but when he’s done, Peter turns towards the corpse, and in faith says, "Tabitha, get up."

💫 Bonus Insight:

"There is a decolonizing edge to this story of women. For although Tabitha is colonized by Rome in her life—even her name is changed [to 'Dorcas']—this is not what Peter calls her...Peter calling her to life not by her colonial name but by her precolonial, Aramaic name is itself a decolonizing narrative device" (WBC, p. 542).

And just like that, Tabitha’s eyes open. Seeing Peter there, she sits straight up.

Peter extends his hand and helps her to her feet. Then, he calls everyone back into the room— especially the widows—and presents Tabitha to them: Alive!🙌

As news of Tabitha's death and resuscitation spreads, many people believe and join The Way.

You can read more of Tabitha's story in Acts 9:336-43. 

Additional Resources:

• “Tabitha in the Bible” by Robin Gallaher Branch on Biblical Archaeology Society (Online). 2023. 

• All the Women of the Bible by Edith Deen (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1955), p. 168.

• "Tabitha and the Joppa Assembly," Women’s Bible Commentary, 3rd Edition. Edited by Carol A. Newsom, Sharon H. Ringe, and Jacqueline E. Lapsley. (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2012), p. 554127.

Photo Credits:

• Photo by Volha Flaxeco on Unsplash
• Aerial View of Jaffa By Andrew Shiva / Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0,

Disclosure of Material Connection:

Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

WAS THIS EMAIL FORWARDED TO YOU? GREAT!

Click Here to Subscribe