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Act 9:40 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.

In the story of Jarius’s daughter, Jesus had removed the mourners because of their unbelief and
ridicule (Matthew 9:25). However, Peter removes the mourners here because they confuse the
issue.

Act 9:41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and
widows, presented her alive.

Peter touches her hand, then takes it to lift Dorcas up.

MANY BELIEVED

Act 9:42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

Again, the purpose of miracles, signs, and wonders is to bring about the greatest miracle of all:
salvation. Signs and wonders are not an end in themselves, but a means to an end -- the new
birth.

Act 9:43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

A tanner is one who deals with the hides of animals. According to Jewish law, a tanner is
unclean because to tan animal hides requires dead (unclean) animals to be touched. Peter is
staying in the home of a man whose shop would be forbidden to enter by many Peter knows in
Jerusalem. Because Peter has raised Dorcas from the dead, the people have opened their city
and this particular home to him, Peter is staying with the tanner as an act of courtesy for the
people of Joppa. Not only is the home considered unclean, the smells in the home are probably
offensive. This is a good place for God to give Peter a house top vision and open his eyes to the

needs of the “unclean” people, the Gentiles.

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