A. Peter’s Travels (9:32-43)

Luke provides the accounts of Lydda (vv.32-34) and Joppa (vv.36-43) for a particular purpose. Lydda was a primarily Jewish town in an area of mixed Jewish and gentile population. Joppa, the principal port city of southern Palestine, was largely Greek in its composition. Luke is paving the way for the reader to realize that the Christian outreach is moving toward the gentile world. This is highlighted in Luke’s reference to the Jewish and Greek names for Tabitha/Dorcas (v.36).

Both of Peter’s miracles witness to the Resurrection: Aeneas is raised from a bed of paralysis and Tabitha/Dorcas from a bed of death. Luke takes no time to detail Peter’s preaching and teaching. The accounts are given in brief capsule form, simply to indicate that the witness of the Resurrection in the practical ministry of the apostles is the source of belief.