But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter didn't just speak to a corpse; he addressed it directly and commandingly, "Tabitha, arise," echoing Jesus' own words in a powerful demonstration that the life-giving power comes from God, not the messenger. This action, coupled with his solitary prayer, underlines that Peter recognized he was merely a conduit for divine power, not its source.
But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the widows tearfully presented the garments Dorcas had made, Peter cleared the room for earnest prayer. He then knelt and spoke directly to the deceased woman, calling her name and commanding her to rise, mirroring Jesus' own actions when raising Jairus' daughter. This private moment of prayer and the direct command to the body set the stage for the miracle that would confirm faith and comfort the community.
Why did Peter clear the room before bringing Tabitha back to life? It wasn't about showing off; it was about deep communion with God.
When faced with the seemingly impossible, Peter’s first action wasn't to command life, but to seek God in solitude. He put everyone outside the room, creating a space free from distraction and interruption. This wasn't about hiding the miracle, but about focusing his heart and mind entirely on God.
Think about it:
Peter didn't just say words; he spoke a command born from prayer. What’s the difference?
After his prayer, Peter turned to Tabitha's body and spoke directly: 'Tabitha, arise.' This wasn't a hesitant suggestion, but a confident declaration. The prayer wasn't just a prelude; it was the source of his assurance.
Here’s what’s significant:
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Why bring Tabitha back? It wasn't just for her, but for the whole community of faith.
The miracle wasn't just a display of power; it was an act of profound mercy directed toward the grieving community. The widows, who were deeply affected by Tabitha’s life and generosity, stood weeping, showcasing the garments she had made. Her death left a significant void.
Consider the impact:
Understand the original words
prosēuxato · Greek Verb
The act of communicating with God through prayer, confession, or request. It is the expression of dependence on God’s power and will, often performed in humility before seeking His intervention.
anastēthi · Greek Verb
The command to wake up, stand up, or rise from the dead. In the New Testament, it is used both for physical resurrection and the spiritual awakening of a person from the death of sin.
Peter's raising of Tabitha echoes Jesus' own miracle with Jairus' daughter, both involving putting onlookers aside for prayer and using similar Aramaic phrases, highlighting the continuity of divine power and the apostles' role as conduits of God's restorative work.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus raises Jairus' daughter
Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James, and John, raises Jairus' daughter from death. Peter witnesses this miracle firsthand, including Jesus putting onlookers out of the room to pray.
c. AD 33-36
Jesus ascends; early Church formation
After Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, including Peter, to perform miracles. The early Church in Jerusalem grows and faces persecution.
c. AD 36-40
Philip's ministry in Samaria and Gaza
Philip, one of the first deacons, performs miracles and preaches in Samaria and Gaza, showing the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem.
c. AD 40
Peter heals Aeneas in Lydda
Peter travels to Lydda and heals Aeneas, who had been paralyzed for eight years. This event leads many in Lydda to believe in the Lord.
c. AD 40— this verse
Peter raises Tabitha in Joppa
Peter is called to Joppa to raise Tabitha, a beloved disciple known for her good deeds, back to life. This miracle leads many in Joppa to believe.
c. AD 40-42
Peter stays with Simon the tanner
After raising Tabitha, Peter stays for an extended period in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. This demonstrates Peter's willingness to associate with those on the fringes of society.
Elijah also prayed in solitude and spoke directly to a deceased child to bring them back to life, demonstrating a pattern of seeking God's power through private prayer before performing a miracle.
Luke 8:54Jesus, after removing onlookers, took the child by the hand and commanded her to rise, mirroring Peter's actions in this passage of isolating the room and speaking directly to the deceased.
John 11:43Jesus raised Lazarus by calling out to him with a loud voice after praying, showcasing the power of God's spoken word, amplified through prayer, to overcome death.
2 Kings 4:33Elisha, like Peter, shut himself in a room with the deceased child and prayed fervently, illustrating the importance of focused, private prayer for divine intervention in bringing back life.
calvinActs 9:39-43: "Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them."
- And Peter arose and came with them, whom, when he was come, they brought into the upper chamber, and all the widows stood about her weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made when she was with them. 40. And when they were all put out, Peter kne…
clarkeActs 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."
Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed - It was not even known to Peter that God would work this miracle: therefore he put all the people out, that he might seek the will of God by fervent prayer, and during his supplications be liable neither to distraction nor interruption, which he must have expe…
Peter didn't just speak to a corpse; he addressed it directly and commandingly, "Tabitha, arise," echoing Jesus' own words in a powerful demonstration that the life-giving power comes from God, not the messenger. This action, coupled with his solitary prayer, underlines that Peter recognized he was merely a conduit for divine power, not its source.
After the widows tearfully presented the garments Dorcas had made, Peter cleared the room for earnest prayer. He then knelt and spoke directly to the deceased woman, calling her name and commanding her to rise, mirroring Jesus' own actions when raising Jairus' daughter. This private moment of prayer and the direct command to the body set the stage for the miracle that would confirm faith and comfort the community.
After the widows tearfully presented the garments Dorcas had made, Peter cleared the room for earnest prayer. He then knelt and spoke directly to the deceased woman, calling her name and commanding her to rise, mirroring Jesus' own actions when raising Jairus' daughter. This private moment of prayer and the direct command to the body set the stage for the miracle that would confirm faith and comfort the community.
"But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up." — Peter didn't just speak to a corpse; he addressed it directly and commandingly, "Tabitha, arise," echoing Jesus' own words in a powerful demonstration that the life-giving power comes from God, not t…
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Last reviewed October 2026