Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text emphasizes Peter "came down" to Lydda, not just physically but also in terms of his ministry, moving from broader travels to a specific community. This highlights the intentional care he showed for these believers, referred to as "saints," marking them as set apart and precious in God's eyes.
Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is traveling through various communities following the recent conversion of Saul, and the narrative focuses on his ministry for a time. He visits the believers in Lydda, a significant town on the plain of Sharon, setting the stage for a miraculous healing that impacts the entire community.
The Bible calls believers 'saints.' But what did that really mean in the early church? Were they perfect or just ordinary folks trying to follow Jesus?
When the New Testament refers to 'saints,' it's not talking about people who have achieved some level of spiritual perfection. The Greek word used here is 'hagios,' which means 'set apart' or 'holy.'
Set Apart for God
This holiness isn't about being sinless, but about being distinctively devoted to God. Peter is visiting a community of people who have been called out of the world and dedicated to Christ. They are living in the town of Lydda, a place with a rich history (it's mentioned in the Old Testament as Lud), but now it's home to this new community of faith.
Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Calling
These 'saints' were likely ordinary people—fishermen, merchants, laborers—facing the same struggles and joys as everyone else. The term 'saints' highlights their identity in Christ, not their personal achievements. It’s a reminder that God calls all kinds of people to be part of His family and to live lives that point to Him.
Peter, a key leader, was 'passing through all quarters.' What does this movement tell us about the early church and the apostles' work?
This verse shows us that the early apostles, even those with prominent roles like Peter, were not stationary leaders. Peter was on a circuit, visiting different communities.
A Wider Reach
The phrase 'passed throughout all quarters' suggests a deliberate journey to encourage and minister to believers who were likely scattered due to persecution or the church’s expansion. Luke, the author of Acts, carefully traces Peter’s movements, indicating the significance of this itinerant ministry in strengthening the fledgling church.
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More Than Just Lydda
Lydda was just one stop on Peter’s tour. His travels helped solidify the faith of believers in various locations and laid groundwork for future growth. This wasn't about Peter building his own ministry, but about him serving the broader body of Christ wherever he was led.
Understand the original words
hagios · Greek Noun
Those set apart by God for His holy use; a term for all believers who have been sanctified through the blood of Christ. They are holy because they belong to God.
This passage places Peter in Lydda, a significant town in the fertile Sharon plain, strategically located on routes from Jerusalem to the coast. This visit, likely part of a broader circuit of ministry following earlier events in Jerusalem and potentially influenced by Philip's earlier work in the region, demonstrates the expanding reach of the early church among Jewish believers just before the pivotal opening to the Gentiles.
c. AD 30s
Early Church Growth and Persecution
Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, the early Christian community in Jerusalem experienced rapid growth, but also faced significant opposition and persecution, leading to the scattering of believers.
c. AD 30s-40s
Philip's Ministry in Samaria and Caesarea
The evangelist Philip, after encountering the Ethiopian eunuch, preached in various towns and eventually settled in Caesarea Maritima, a major Roman port city, potentially establishing Christian communities in the region, including Lydda.
c. AD 40s— this verse
Peter's Miracles in Lydda and Joppa
Peter traveled throughout Judea, visiting believers. In Lydda, he healed Aeneas and in nearby Joppa, he raised Tabitha from the dead, demonstrating divine power and strengthening the faith of new converts.
c. AD 40s
Peter's Vision and Ministry in Joppa
While staying with Simon the tanner in Joppa, Peter had a significant vision involving clean and unclean animals, preparing him for the upcoming encounter with Cornelius, a Roman centurion.
c. AD 40s
Cornelius's Conversion in Caesarea
Guided by an angel, Cornelius sent for Peter, who then traveled to Caesarea to share the Gospel, resulting in the conversion of Cornelius and his household, marking a pivotal moment in opening the church to Gentiles.
c. AD 66
Roman-Jewish War Begins
The Jewish revolt against Roman rule began, leading to significant destruction in Judea. Lydda, a prosperous town, was attacked and partially burned by the Roman general Cestius Gallus.
This passage details Peter's encounter with Cornelius, which is closely linked to his ministry in Lydda and Joppa, demonstrating God's work among both Jews and Gentiles.
This narrative of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch showcases divine guidance in spreading the gospel to new peoples, paralleling Peter's journey to Lydda to minister to existing believers.
This verse calls believers 'saints,' mirroring the term used in Acts 9:32 and highlighting the universal call to holiness for all followers of Christ.
John 14:12Jesus' promise that believers would do greater works than He points to the miraculous healing Peter performs in Lydda, underscoring the power God grants His followers.
ellicottActs 9:32: "And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda."
(32) As Peter passed throughout all quarters. —The plan of the writer, arranging his materials, leads him from this point of Acts 12:18 to dwell entirely on the personal work of Peter. So far this section of the book may be described as the Acts of Peter. On the other hand, it is obvious that he only gives those acts as part of his general plan, not caring to follow t…
expositorsActs 9:32: "And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda."
-28 Chapter 20 EVANGELISTIC WORK IN THE PHILISTINES’ LAND. Acts 8:26-28 ; Acts 9:32 I HAVE; united these two incidents, the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch and the mission of St. Peter to the people of Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa, because they relate to the same district of country and they happened at the same period, the pause which ensued between the martyrdom of S…
The text emphasizes Peter "came down" to Lydda, not just physically but also in terms of his ministry, moving from broader travels to a specific community. This highlights the intentional care he showed for these believers, referred to as "saints," marking them as set apart and precious in God's eyes.
Peter is traveling through various communities following the recent conversion of Saul, and the narrative focuses on his ministry for a time. He visits the believers in Lydda, a significant town on the plain of Sharon, setting the stage for a miraculous healing that impacts the entire community.
Peter is traveling through various communities following the recent conversion of Saul, and the narrative focuses on his ministry for a time. He visits the believers in Lydda, a significant town on the plain of Sharon, setting the stage for a miraculous healing that impacts the entire community.
"Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda." — The text emphasizes Peter "came down" to Lydda, not just physically but also in terms of his ministry, moving from broader travels to a specific community. This highlights the intentional care he sho…
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Last reviewed October 2026