Wednesday 16 July 2025
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. (v. 36)
Background
Apparently, there are 188 women mentioned in the Bible. Only 93 of them speak and only 49 are named. The account we are considering today concerns one of those women who was named. In fact, she has two names, Tabitha (Aramaic) and Dorcas (Greek). They are the same name, and we may wonder why the writer, Luke, felt the need to give both versions.
It's clear that Dorcas was someone significant in her community, particularly among the widows, for whom she made clothing. She was also, it seems, loved among the disciples in Joppa, such that when she died, they sent quickly for Peter, who had just healed a bedridden, paralysed man a few miles down the road in Lydda.
It's not clear whether Dorcas herself was a widow, and nor is it clear whether she earned her living making clothes or simply used her skills to do good works for the widows. These women may have been something of a mutual support group in a society where a woman who became widowed would have been in a very vulnerable position. Because of Dorcas’ care for her friends, she was something of a heroine to them, though they may not have recognised that until she seemed to be taken from them in death.
In the previous healing, (Acts 9:33-34) Peter invoked Jesus’ name as he told the man to get up and make his bed. In the case of Dorcas, having cleared the room, he prayed and then in the same way told her to get up. It is clear in both these healing miracles that this is the power of Jesus being channelled through Peter, moving the focus away from the human agent. The result was that ‘many believed in the Lord’ (v. 42).
To Ponder:
- Do we show enough appreciation for people who use their skills to help others?
- What skills might we have which could be used more fully in our fellowship or community?
Prayer
Sometimes, Lord, life becomes too much. Our tasks overwhelm us. Speak to us those words ‘get up’, and enable us, through your power, to carry on. Then teach us how to enjoy the support of the ‘saints’ of today. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Pamela Cram
Pam worked in several circuits and ecumenical posts in Wales before retiring in the Swansea Valley, where she is involved in a non-denominational community project; a church partnership with a Welsh independent church; and action for Fairtrade.