Acts 9:43 – “Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

This verse might seem like a simple geographical detail at first, but it actually marks an important transition in the book of Acts. After Peter performed the incredible miracle of raising Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead, he chose to remain in Joppa for a while. But Luke, the author of Acts, gives us an interesting detail—Peter stayed with a tanner named Simon.

A tanner was someone who worked with animal hides, making leather products. In Jewish society, this was considered an unclean profession because it involved handling dead animals. Many devout Jews would have avoided a tanner’s house altogether, yet Peter chose to stay there. This small detail foreshadows a major shift in Peter’s thinking and in the expansion of the gospel.

Peter’s stay in Joppa sets the stage for the next big event in Acts—his encounter with Cornelius, the Roman centurion (Acts 10). This moment will lead to the gospel officially being preached to the Gentiles, proving that salvation is for all people, not just Jews.

Historical Context

Joppa (modern-day Jaffa) was a coastal city and an important port in the ancient world. It had a mixed population of Jews and Gentiles, making it a key location for the early spread of Christianity.

Tanning was considered a lowly profession in Jewish culture. According to Jewish law (Leviticus 11:39-40), touching dead animals made a person ceremonially unclean. Many religious Jews would have looked down on a tanner because his job required handling dead animal skins daily. Some Jewish sources even say that tanners were expected to live at least 50 yards outside a town because of the bad smell of their work.

The fact that Peter, a devout Jew, stayed with Simon the tanner was significant. It suggests that God was already working on Peter’s heart, preparing him for the idea that the gospel was for all people, not just the Jewish nation.

Theological Implications

1. God’s Kingdom Is for Everyone – By staying with a tanner, Peter was beginning to break away from Jewish traditions that divided clean and unclean people.
2. God Prepares Us for His Plans – Peter didn’t yet know about Cornelius, but God was already moving him in the direction of ministering to Gentiles.
3. The Gospel Removes Barriers – Before this, Peter might have avoided unclean places, but now he was willing to step outside his comfort zone for the sake of the gospel.

Literary Analysis

Luke, the author of Acts, often includes small details that foreshadow major events. Here, the mention of Simon the tanner prepares the reader for Acts 10, where Peter will receive a vision from God about clean and unclean foods, symbolizing that Gentiles are no longer excluded from God’s family.

The phrase “Peter stayed in Joppa for some time” also suggests that this was not just a quick visit. Something was happening in Peter’s heart—he was being prepared for a major change in his thinking.

This verse serves as a bridge between two important events:

1. The miracle of Tabitha’s resurrection, which strengthened the church in Joppa.
2. The conversion of Cornelius, which opened the door for Gentiles to receive the gospel.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Leviticus 11:39-40 – Jewish law declared anyone who touched a dead animal as unclean. A tanner handled dead animals daily.
• Acts 10:9-16 – Peter receives a vision of unclean animals and hears God say, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
• Acts 10:28 – Peter later tells Cornelius, “God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.”
• Galatians 3:28 – Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. God Often Prepares Us for What’s Next – Peter didn’t know what was coming, but God was working behind the scenes to change his heart. The same happens in our lives.
2. The Gospel Breaks Down Social Barriers – Staying with Simon the tanner was a step toward breaking Jewish social customs. Today, Christians must be willing to step outside their comfort zones to reach people for Christ.
3. We Must Be Willing to Be Uncomfortable for the Gospel – Peter could have chosen to stay somewhere more respectable, but he was willing to go where God led him.
4. God Uses Ordinary People for His Purposes – Simon the tanner was not a religious leader or an important figure, but God used him to be part of Peter’s journey.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse shows that God’s love is not limited to certain groups of people. In Jewish culture, tanners were looked down upon, but God didn’t see Simon the tanner as less important. By leading Peter to stay at his house, God was already showing that His love extends beyond Jewish traditions.

This also reminds us that God meets people where they are. He was patiently leading Peter toward a new understanding of His grace—one that included all nations and people groups.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

• Jesus Touched the “Unclean” – Just as Peter stayed with a tanner, Jesus was known for associating with sinners, tax collectors, and outcasts (Mark 2:16-17).
• Jesus Came for All People – The gospel was not just for the Jews but for the whole world (John 3:16). Peter’s stay with Simon foreshadowed this truth becoming clearer.
• Jesus Taught That Love Matters More Than Tradition – Peter was learning that following Jesus meant breaking away from legalism and embracing people with love (Matthew 22:37-39).
• Jesus Used Ordinary People – Simon the tanner may not have seemed important, but God used him in Peter’s journey, just as Jesus used ordinary fishermen, tax collectors, and sinners to build His kingdom.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever felt God preparing you for something before you fully understood what it was? How did you respond?
2. Are there certain people or social groups you avoid because they feel “unclean” or different from you? How does this verse challenge that mindset?
3. How does this verse encourage you to step outside your comfort zone for the sake of the gospel?
4. In what ways do we still allow traditions or social expectations to keep us from reaching others with the love of Christ?
5. How can you be more open to God’s leading, even if it means staying in unexpected places or connecting with people you normally wouldn’t?