Acts 9:32-43
Aeneas, Jesus Christ Heals You
Read the passage
32As Peter traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.
33There he found a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.
34“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and put away your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up,
35and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity.
37At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room.
38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.”
39So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.
41Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive.
42This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
43And Peter stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
In Lydda, Peter visits Aeneas, who has been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. He tells him that Jesus Christ heals him and commands him to get up and put away his mat. Aeneas rises immediately, and those who see him turn to the Lord.
Nearby in Joppa, Tabitha has become sick and died. She is a disciple known for kindness and generosity. The believers send for Peter, and the widows show him the clothing she made while she was with them. Their loss concerns someone whose love had taken a useful, personal form.
Peter sends everyone out, kneels, and prays. He tells Tabitha to get up. She opens her eyes and sits up; he takes her hand and presents her alive to the believers and widows. Many in Joppa believe in the Lord when this becomes known.
Peter names Jesus as the healer and prays before speaking to Tabitha. The life-giving power belongs to the Lord. These signs draw people to Him, while the widows' clothing reminds us of the ordinary kindness that had already marked Tabitha's life.
Questions
1 How long had Aeneas been paralyzed and bedridden?
AnswerEight years. When Peter tells him that Jesus Christ heals him, he gets up immediately.
2 What do the widows show Peter after Tabitha dies?
AnswerThey show him the tunics and other clothing she made while she was with them. They are grieving a woman known for kindness and charity.
3 What does Peter do before telling Tabitha to get up?
AnswerHe sends everyone out, kneels, and prays. After she rises, he presents her alive to the believers and widows.
4 What response follows these signs?
AnswerPeople turn to the Lord in Lydda and Sharon, and many in Joppa believe. The signs direct attention to the Lord who gives life.
What This Means for Us
Tabitha's kindness was visible in things people could hold. Think of someone whose steady care has helped your family. Thank that person if you can, or thank God for what you remember of them.
Her service also invites a practical response. Use a skill or resource you have to meet a need: mend something, prepare food, or help with work that has become difficult. Ordinary care matters before any remarkable event occurs.
These healings reveal the Lord's power without promising that every illness or death will be reversed now. We can ask Him for healing and still remain beside people whose grief continues.
Prayer
Jesus, make us ready to serve in quiet ways and to trust you with needs we cannot solve. Help our lives leave behind evidence of love. Amen.