Acts 9:42 – “This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

This verse describes the impact of Tabitha’s resurrection. When Peter, through the power of Jesus, raised her from the dead, the news spread all over Joppa. This wasn’t just an interesting event—it was a testimony that led many people to believe in the Lord.

Joppa was a busy port city, meaning news traveled fast. People knew that Tabitha had died, and when they saw her alive again, it was undeniable proof of God’s power at work. The miracle wasn’t just about bringing one woman back to life—it was a sign that Jesus was still changing lives, even after His resurrection and ascension.

This verse shows a common pattern in the book of Acts: when God works in miraculous ways, people turn to Him. It wasn’t the miracle itself that saved people, but the way it pointed them to Jesus as the source of life and salvation.

Historical Context

At this time, Christianity was still spreading beyond Jerusalem into other parts of Judea and Samaria (Acts 1:8). Joppa (modern-day Jaffa) was a strategic location for the gospel because it was a major trade hub where many cultures and people passed through.

Miracles often played an important role in the spread of the gospel, especially among people who had not yet heard about Jesus. In a time before widespread literacy and written accounts of Jesus’ ministry, people relied on eyewitness testimony. The resurrection of Tabitha was not just a private moment—it was a public demonstration of God’s power, convincing many that Jesus was truly Lord.

This also follows a pattern seen in Jesus’ own ministry—when He performed miracles, crowds believed in Him (John 11:45). The same thing happened here in Joppa when Peter, through Jesus’ name, raised Tabitha.

Theological Implications

1. Miracles Point to Jesus – The purpose of miracles in the Bible is not just to amaze people, but to lead them to faith in God.
2. God Uses Ordinary People to Spread His Message – Peter was just a fisherman, but God used him in a powerful way to bring people to Christ.
3. Salvation Is the Greatest Miracle – Raising Tabitha was incredible, but the bigger miracle was that many people were saved because of it.
4. God’s Power Is Not Limited – Even though Jesus was no longer physically on earth, His power was still at work through His followers.

Literary Analysis

Luke, the author of Acts, structures this verse to show the widespread impact of the miracle.

• “This became known all over Joppa” – The phrase “all over” emphasizes that this was not a small, local event. The miracle spread across the city, affecting many lives.
• “Many people believed in the Lord” – The real impact wasn’t just that a woman was raised from the dead—it was that souls were saved. The focus of the verse is not on the miracle itself, but on its spiritual effect.

Luke often records how miracles led to conversions (Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14). This follows the same pattern: God works → People witness it → Many believe in Jesus.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• John 11:45 – After Jesus raised Lazarus, “many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in Him.” (A similar reaction to what happened in Joppa.)
• Acts 2:41 – “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Shows how public displays of God’s power led to conversions.)
• Acts 4:4 – “But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.”
• Mark 16:20 – “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Miracles confirmed the truth of the gospel.)
• Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Miracles helped open the door for the gospel, but faith ultimately comes from hearing about Jesus.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Our Lives Should Point Others to Jesus – Just as Tabitha’s resurrection led people to believe, our own testimonies should lead others to Christ.
2. God Is Still at Work – While we may not see resurrections every day, God is still changing lives, and we should be ready to share what He has done.
3. People Need to Hear About Jesus – Just like the news spread in Joppa, we should share the good news of Christ with those around us.
4. Salvation Is the Greatest Miracle – While miracles are amazing, the real goal is to bring people into a relationship with Jesus.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse shows God’s love for people in two ways:

1. He cares for individuals – Tabitha’s life mattered, and He restored her because He loved her and the people she served.
2. He wants all people to know Him – The real miracle was not just Tabitha’s resurrection, but that many were saved. This shows that God’s ultimate desire is for people to know Him and receive eternal life.

Just as Jesus wept before raising Lazarus (John 11:35), we see here that God’s love extends beyond physical healing to the greatest healing of all—spiritual salvation.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

• Jesus’ Miracles Led People to Believe – Many of Jesus’ followers believed because of what they saw Him do (John 2:23).
• Jesus Is the Resurrection and the Life – The power that raised Tabitha was the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (John 11:25-26).
• Jesus Sent His Disciples to Continue His Work – Peter’s actions show that Jesus’ mission didn’t stop when He ascended—it continued through His followers (John 14:12).
• Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Is the Ultimate Miracle – Tabitha’s resurrection was temporary, but Jesus’ resurrection was permanent, securing eternal life for all who believe (Romans 6:9-10).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does Tabitha’s resurrection encourage you to trust in God’s power?
2. Do you believe that God still works in miraculous ways today? Why or why not?
3. What are some ways you can share what God has done in your life to lead others to faith?
4. How does this verse challenge you to be more open about sharing your faith with those around you?
5. What is the greatest miracle you have ever experienced in your own spiritual journey?