And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter staying with Simon the tanner, a trade considered dishonorable and ceremonially unclean by many Jews, reveals his growing willingness to break down social and religious barriers. This lodging signifies Peter's personal growth, showing he’s beginning to grasp that true defilement comes from the heart, not from association with those on the fringes of society.
And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following the miraculous resurrection of Dorcas, Peter stayed in Joppa for an extended period. He lodged with Simon, a tanner, a trade considered disreputable by many Jews, signaling Peter's growing openness to breaking down social and ceremonial barriers. This extended stay likely involved further ministry in Joppa and preparation for the significant events to come in the next chapter.
Imagine staying with someone whose job was considered almost 'unclean' by most people. Why would Peter do that, and what does it reveal about his changing heart?
Simon the tanner held a trade that was deeply unpopular and often considered ritually impure by Jewish custom. Tanneries involved working with animal hides, blood, and carcasses, which could easily lead to ceremonial defilement in the eyes of many.
A Disreputable Occupation
Peter's Growing Freedom
By choosing to lodge with Simon, Peter was demonstrating a significant step away from deeply ingrained Jewish prejudices. The scholars suggest this was part of his training for the even greater mission to the Gentiles that was on the horizon. He was learning, perhaps through experience, that true defilement comes from within, not from association with those in less-than-desirable occupations.
Why did Peter stay in Joppa for 'many days' after such a dramatic miracle? This wasn't just a brief visit; it was a crucial period of growth.
The phrase 'many days' (or 'considerable days' in some translations) is used elsewhere in Acts and signifies an extended, though indefinite, period. It wasn't just a short stopover; Peter was intentionally present in Joppa for a significant duration.
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More Than Just Ministry
Divine Orchestration
Some scholars believe Peter wasn't entirely sure about the outcome of raising Dorcas beforehand, but he trusted God's leading. His extended stay suggests a period where God was confirming Peter's calling and teaching him deeper lessons about His inclusive plan. This lay the groundwork for the pivotal encounter with Cornelius.
Understand the original words
byrseus · Greek Noun
One who prepares animal hides for leather; in the first-century Jewish cultural context, this profession was considered ritually unclean because it involved constant contact with dead animal carcasses.
Peter's extended stay with Simon the tanner, a man in an 'unclean' trade, highlights his growing understanding that true defilement comes not from external practices but from the heart. This stay directly preceded his divine calling to minister to the Gentile Cornelius, signifying a crucial step in the expansion of the Gospel beyond its Jewish roots.
c. AD 30-33
Pentecost and the Early Church
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to the birth of the Christian Church and its initial spread among Jewish communities in Jerusalem.
c. AD 33-36
Stephen's Martyrdom and Saul's Persecution
The persecution of early Christians intensifies following the martyrdom of Stephen, scattering believers and leading Saul of Tarsus to actively persecute the Church.
c. AD 34-36
Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul encounters the resurrected Jesus on his journey to Damascus, radically transforming him into a fervent follower and apostle of Christ.
c. AD 36
Peter Heals Aeneas in Lydda
Peter, now a prominent leader in the Church, demonstrates his apostolic authority by healing Aeneas, leading many in Lydda to faith.
c. AD 36— this verse
Peter Raises Dorcas in Joppa
Peter travels to Joppa and miraculously raises Dorcas from the dead, a beloved disciple who had served the community, causing widespread belief.
c. AD 36
Peter Stays with Simon the Tanner
Following Dorcas's resurrection, Peter lodges for an extended period with Simon, a tanner, a trade considered unclean by many Jews. This stay prepares Peter for future ministry to Gentiles.
c. AD 36
Peter's Vision and Cornelius's Ministry
While in Joppa, Peter receives a divine vision that challenges Jewish dietary laws and prejudices, leading him to the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, marking a pivotal moment in the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian faith.
This passage immediately follows, showing Peter's vision that directly challenges his Jewish prejudices against Gentiles and unclean animals, preparing him for his stay with Simon the tanner and the subsequent outreach.
Mark 7:15-20Jesus teaches that true defilement comes from within, not from external things or occupations, a principle Peter is beginning to embody by staying with a tanner.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29Paul highlights how God often chooses the humble and ordinary (like a tanner) to confound the wise and strong, reflecting the significance of Peter staying with Simon.
Matthew 11:19Jesus was criticized for associating with 'sinners and tax collectors,' similar to how Peter's association with a tanner might have been viewed, yet Jesus used it to demonstrate God's inclusive nature.
ellicottActs 9:43: "And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner."
(43) Many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner. —Either as bringing with it, through contact with the carcases and hides of dead beasts, the risks of ceremonial defilement, or being generally a repulsive and noisome business, the occupation was one from which the stricter Jews generally shrunk. The Rabbis held that if a tanner about to marry concealed his occupation from his intended wife, the conceal…
jfbActs 9:43: "And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner."
- with one Simon a tanner—a trade regarded by the Jews as half unclean, and consequently disreputable, from the contact with dead animals and blood which was connected with it. For this reason, even by other nations, it is usually carried on at some distance from towns; accordingly, Simon's house was "by the seaside" (Ac 10:6). Peter's lodging there shows him already to some extent above Jewish preju…
Peter staying with Simon the tanner, a trade considered dishonorable and ceremonially unclean by many Jews, reveals his growing willingness to break down social and religious barriers. This lodging signifies Peter's personal growth, showing he’s beginning to grasp that true defilement comes from the heart, not from association with those on the fringes of society.
Following the miraculous resurrection of Dorcas, Peter stayed in Joppa for an extended period. He lodged with Simon, a tanner, a trade considered disreputable by many Jews, signaling Peter's growing openness to breaking down social and ceremonial barriers. This extended stay likely involved further ministry in Joppa and preparation for the significant events to come in the next chapter.
Following the miraculous resurrection of Dorcas, Peter stayed in Joppa for an extended period. He lodged with Simon, a tanner, a trade considered disreputable by many Jews, signaling Peter's growing openness to breaking down social and ceremonial barriers. This extended stay likely involved further ministry in Joppa and preparation for the significant events to come in the next chapter.
"And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner." — Peter staying with Simon the tanner, a trade considered dishonorable and ceremonially unclean by many Jews, reveals his growing willingness to break down social and religious barriers. This lodging s…
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Last reviewed October 2026