Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples' urgent plea for Peter to "come to us without delay" reveals their deep reliance on his presence, not necessarily for a miracle, but for comfort and spiritual strength in a time of profound sorrow and loss. Their request underscores that while miraculous gifts weren't commonplace among all believers, the leadership and presence of apostles like Peter were vital for the community's well-being.
Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Tabitha, a disciple known for her good deeds, has just died in Joppa. Since her nearby town of Lydda is about four leagues away, the disciples there, hearing Peter was present, urgently sent two messengers to him, begging him to come quickly. They likely sought his comfort in grief, and while not explicitly stated, perhaps held a quiet hope he could perform a miracle, similar to the healing he had done earlier.
When crisis hits, who do you turn to? The disciples in Joppa faced a deep sorrow, and their immediate action reveals something crucial about their faith.
A Community in Need
The news of Tabitha's death struck Joppa like a physical blow. The disciples, even though they knew Peter was nearby in Lydda, didn't hesitate. They sent two men with an urgent plea: “Please come to us without delay.”
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Peter was just a short journey away, but his presence in Lydda was more than a geographical coincidence. It set the stage for an extraordinary act of God's power.
God's Perfect Timing
The fact that Peter was in Lydda, a town close to Joppa, wasn't random. It was part of God's unfolding plan.
The urgency of the disciples in Joppa highlights the burgeoning faith and sense of community within the early church, even amidst loss. They likely hoped Peter's presence would bring comfort, and possibly healing, demonstrating their growing reliance on apostolic authority.
c. AD 30s
Early Church Growth in Judea
Following Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to rapid growth of the early Christian community in Jerusalem and surrounding areas.
c. AD 30s
Stephen's Martyrdom and Persecution
The stoning of Stephen sparks a severe persecution against the church in Jerusalem, causing many believers to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria.
c. AD 30s
Peter's Healing Ministry in Lydda
Peter travels to Lydda and performs a significant miracle, healing a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed for eight years. This event strengthens the faith of believers in the region.
c. AD 30s— this verse
Tabitha's Death in Joppa
A devout disciple named Tabitha (Dorcas), known for her good works and almsgiving, falls ill and dies in the city of Joppa. Her body is washed and laid in an upper room.
c. AD 30s
Disciples Send for Peter
Upon hearing that Peter is in nearby Lydda, the disciples in Joppa urgently send two messengers to him, pleading for him to come without delay to their aid.
This passage highlights a similar situation where friends of a dying person, Lazarus, sent word to Jesus, showing a common pattern of seeking spiritual leaders in times of crisis.
Acts 10:6Cornelius also sent for Peter, showing a similar reliance on the apostle's ministry and a willingness to go to great lengths to seek his help.
1 Corinthians 12:28This verse explains that God appointed different gifts within the church, including apostles and helps, which explains why the disciples would seek out Peter, who had specific gifts from God, rather than rely on their own.
James 5:14This verse directly instructs believers to call for the elders of the church when sick, mirroring the disciples' action of calling for Peter in their time of need.
jfbActs 9:38: "And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them."
- the disciples sent unto Peter—showing that the disciples generally did not possess miraculous gifts [Bengel].
calvinActs 9:36-38: "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did."
- And there was a certain disciple at Joppa called Tabitha, which, if you interpret it, is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and alms which she did. 37. And it happened in those days that she was sick, and died. And when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper parlour. 38. And forasmuch as Lydda…
The disciples' urgent plea for Peter to "come to us without delay" reveals their deep reliance on his presence, not necessarily for a miracle, but for comfort and spiritual strength in a time of profound sorrow and loss. Their request underscores that while miraculous gifts weren't commonplace among all believers, the leadership and presence of apostles like Peter were vital for the community's well-being.
Tabitha, a disciple known for her good deeds, has just died in Joppa. Since her nearby town of Lydda is about four leagues away, the disciples there, hearing Peter was present, urgently sent two messengers to him, begging him to come quickly. They likely sought his comfort in grief, and while not explicitly stated, perhaps held a quiet hope he could perform a miracle, similar to the healing he had done earlier.
Tabitha, a disciple known for her good deeds, has just died in Joppa. Since her nearby town of Lydda is about four leagues away, the disciples there, hearing Peter was present, urgently sent two messengers to him, begging him to come quickly. They likely sought his comfort in grief, and while not explicitly stated, perhaps held a quiet hope he could perform a miracle, similar to the healing he had done earlier.
"Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.”" — The disciples' urgent plea for Peter to "come to us without delay" reveals their deep reliance on his presence, not necessarily for a miracle, but for comfort and spiritual strength in a time of prof…
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Last reviewed October 2026