ACC ~ Acts 9 v32 - 43

OVERVIEW:

Luke begins with two miracle stories and continues with the account of Peter’s vision and subsequent visit to Cornelius, who also had a vision. Luke shows us the importance of the events in Cornelius’s house, in which we see the call of the Gentiles, by narrating it once, as in the case of Paul’s conversion, and then on two occasions reporting Peter’s account of the event, again as he does for Paul. It is difficult to know whether the patristic commentators were aware of this literary procedure on the part of Luke. They do not mention it. It is possible that their concentration on event rather than text and their familiarity with such procedures made explicit commentary otiose. A feature of Luke’s narrative, which will become more apparent, is that he subtly draws parallels between Jesus and the apostles. Didymus sees the parallels between the healing of Aeneas and the healing of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda. This narrative is itself drawing on terminology in the Synoptic account of the healing of a paralytic, and Luke’s vocabulary reflects both sets of narratives. Though Bede tends to derive moral applications from these miracles, he is not far from the New Testament symbolic understanding of paralysis and sin. Nearly all the seven accounts in the New Testament of the healing of a paralytic contain an allusion to sin. Finally, the account of the raising of Tabitha has, in addition to the sound evocation (TALITHA) in Mark’s account of Jesus’ raising of a dead child, multiple allusions to both Mark’s narrative and the stories of the raising of the dead by Elijah and Elisha. The Fathers are sensitive to parts at least of Luke’s manner of showing us the life and ministry of Jesus continued in the church. Like a general leading troops, Peter’s place as foremost among the apostles is clear everywhere he went (CHRYSOSTOM). Bedridden for eight years, Aeneas was symbolic of the persistent frailty of humanity and the power of the risen Christ (CHRYSOSTOM, BEDE). Healing preceded faith to draw people to trust in God (CHRYSOSTOM). To shake off torpor Aeneas is commanded to make his bed (BEDE). In the narrative of Tabitha, providence has already hidden meaning in the naming of Tabitha, suggesting Dorcas, a fallow gazelle in the high mountains, living by its wits among predators, analogous to the saints (BEDE, CHRYSOSTOM). The intercession of the widows was not by means of words only but of acts of mercy and alms for the poor (BEDE).The gathering of widows to give alms and perform good deeds constitutes a monument greater than any physical memorial (CHRYSOSTOM). Touched by Peter’s hand, Tabitha arose (BEDE) from death to life, recalling the transition from law to gospel (ARATOR). Praying, Peter commanded her to rise, and she was first brought back to consciousness, then to activity (CHRYSOSTOM, BEDE) as an act of God’s mercy to one who was merciful (CYPRIAN). Peter’s stay of many days with the poor tanner of Joppa shows his identification with the humble poor (CHRYSOSTOM).

9:32 | As Peter Went About

THE APOSTLES SOUGHT PETER FIRST AS THEIR LEADER. CHRYSOSTOM: Like a general [Peter] went around inspecting the ranks—which part was well-trained, which in good order and which needed his presence. See how on all occasions he goes about first. When an apostle had to be chosen, he was first; when the Jews had to be told that these were not drunk, he was first; when the lame man had to be healed, he was first; when the crowd had to be addressed, he was before the rest; when the rulers had to be addressed, he was the man; when Ananias had to be addressed, when healings were worked by the shadow, still it was he. And look, where there was danger, he was the man; where the situation is calm, all of them act in common. He did not seek a greater honor. When there was need to work miracles, he leaps forward, and here again he is the man to labor and toil. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 21.

9:33 | Bedridden for Eight Years

AENEAS AS A SYMBOL. BEDE: This Aeneas signifies the ailing human race, at first weakened by pleasure but healed by the work and words of the apostles. Since the world itself is raised up in four territories, and in this world the course of the year is divided into four seasons, anyone who embraces the unstable joys of the present is as though flattened upon his bed, devoid of energy for twice times four years. For the bed is that sluggishness in which the sick and weak soul takes its rest in the delights of the body, that is, and in all worldly pleasures. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 9.33.

9:34 | Jesus Christ Heals You

FIRST HEALING, THEN FAITH. CHRYSOSTOM: Peter does well to give a proof of the miracle. For they not only released people from their diseases but also provided health, as well as strength. Moreover, at that time they had not yet offered proof of their own power, and so it was unreasonable to demand faith from the man (nor had they done so in the earlier case of the lame man). Therefore, just as Christ in the beginning of his miracles did not demand faith, neither did these. For it was in Jerusalem, naturally, that their faith was first shown, “at least the shadow of Peter,” it says, “might fall across some of them as he went past.” Many miracles had been performed there, but here in Lydda and Sharon this is the first. For some of the miracles were performed to draw people to faith, and others to comfort the believers. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 21.

ARISE AND MAKE YOUR BED. BEDE: When Peter had cured him of paralysis, he commanded him to rise at once and make his bed. Spiritually this informs us that whoever has received into his heart the firm foundation of faith will not only shake off the torpor in which he has been lying idle but will also produce the good works in which he will be able to rest after his toil. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 9.34.

9:36 | Tabitha, Which Means Dorcas

PROVIDENCE IN NAMING. CHRYSOSTOM: It was not without purpose that the writer informed us of the woman’s name, but to show that her character matched her name—she was active and wakeful as a gazelle. For many names are bestowed by providence, as we have often said to you. “She was full,” it says, “of good works.” Not only of alms but also “of good works,” both in general and of this good work in particular, “which Dorcas made while she was with them.” What humility! Unlike us, all of them were together, and she worked and made clothes. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 21.

THE MEANING OF DORCAS. BEDE: Now at Jaffa there was a woman disciple by the name of Tabitha, which means Dorcas, that is, “deer,” or “fallow deer,” signifying souls exalted by the practice of virtues although contemptible in the eyes of people. For the blessed Luke would not have provided the meaning of the name if he had not known there was strong symbolism in it. The deer and the fallow deer are animals that are similar in nature, though different in size. They dwell on high mountains, and they see all who approach, no matter how far away they may be. Hence in Greek they are called dorcades from the sharpness of their vision.

So it is with the saints. As they dwell on high by the merits of their works, through mental contemplation they simultaneously direct their attention with wisdom toward things above, while always watching out for themselves with prudent discretion. Moreover, these animals are clean according to the law but timid and unwarlike according to their nature, as Martial depicts it: “The boar is feared because of his tusk; the stag’s horns defend him. What are we unwarlike fallow deer except prey?” Does not this clearly describe those who are content to live simply and with discretion in their course of action, as it were walking with split hooves and ruminating in continual meditation on the Word of God? A person who has met with spiritual death, if it was out of ignorance or infirmity, may nevertheless deserve to be revived for the integrity of his right intention, just as is shown to have happened through Peter to that woman to whom we can very rightly apply what is written [above] concerning the deer. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 9.36.

TRUE FAME. CHRYSOSTOM: If you want to be remembered and are anxious for true repute, imitate her, and build edifices like that, not going to expense on lifeless matter but displaying great generosity in regard to your fellow human beings. This is the remembrance that is worth admiring and brings great benefit. HOMILIES ON GENESIS 30.8.

9:38 | Please Come to Us

SO AS NOT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE PREACHING. CHRYSOSTOM: Why did they wait until she was dead? Why was Peter not troubled before? They considered it unworthy, true believers as they were, to trouble the disciples about such matters and to take them away from their preaching. Indeed, this is why it mentions that the place was nearby. If what they were asking was of somewhat secondary importance, it was not then by way of going first. For she was a woman disciple. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 21.

9:39 | The Widows Wept

ALMS DONE ON BEHALF OF THE DEAD. CHRYSOSTOM: Let us not concern ourselves with grave monuments or memorials. This is the greatest memorial: gather the widows around; tell them his name; ask them all to offer prayers and supplications on his behalf. This will overcome God; for although it was not done by the [dead] man himself, it is through him that another is responsible for the almsgiving. This too is of the mercy of God. “Widows standing around and weeping” know how to rescue people not from the present death but from the death that is to come. Many have enjoyed the benefit of these alms performed by others on their behalf. For they found, if not perfect deliverance, at least some consolation. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 21.

THE WIDOWS STOOD WEEPING. BEDE: The widows are the repentant soul’s holy thoughts, which for a long time had lost the vigor of their original purpose, as though they had lost for a time the guidance of a husband. They must humbly pray for the soul that has done wrong. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 9.39A.

TUNICS AND CLOAKS THAT DORCAS HAD MADE. BEDE: They interceded for the dead woman, not with their voices but by means of her own works, for almsdeeds free one not only from the second death but also from the first. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 9.39B.

9:40 | Tabitha, Rise

GOD TAKES THOUGHT FOR THEIR SALVATION. CHRYSOSTOM: They did not perform all their miracles with the same ease. This helped them. For truly God took thought not only for the salvation of others but also of their own. He who healed so many by his very shadow, how is it that now he has to do so much first? There are cases in which the faith of the applicants also assisted. This is the first dead person he has raised. Notice how he awakens her as if out of sleep. First, she opened her eyes; then, at the sight of Peter, she sat up; then, from his hand she received strength again. Look at the gain, look at the harvest, but note that it was not for display. That is why he sent them all outside, imitating his teacher also in this. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 21.

OPENING EYES AND SITTING UP. BEDE: A most perfect order in her rising from death, that she would first open the eyes of her mind, and then, on recognizing Peter’s voice, that she would sit up and receive the light of her discretion, which she had lost, and that she would live according to the teaching of those who had come to her aid. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 9.40.

AN ALLEGORY OF LAW AND GOSPEL. ARATOR: If we are rightly inspired, the renewed day of her soul is clearly suitable for allegory, [a soul,] turned back to the voice of Peter, which the darkness of exceedingly ancient peril had pressed down: the life burdened previously in the bosom of the dark law, rising just like a second [soul], stands up in the church’s presence, and the light of works, the companion of faith, drives away the shadows, a salvation that had not been promised by the voice of the law, because grace undertakes to give gifts of eternal life to those reborn in the font. ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1.

THE MERITS OF MERCY. CYPRIAN: So powerful were the merits of mercy, so much did just works avail! She who had conferred upon suffering widows the assistance for living deserved to be recalled to life by the petition of widows. WORKS AND ALMSGIVING 6.

9:41 | Peter Presented Tabitha Alive

HE RAISED HER UP. BEDE: When she was touched by Peter’s hand, Tabitha rose again, since there is no better way for the soul that has become weak because of its sins to regain its strength than the example of the saints. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 9.41.

9:43 | Peter Stayed in Joppa

LEADING PEOPLE TO HUMILITY. CHRYSOSTOM: “And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.” Look at Peter’s unassuming conduct, look at his moderation, how he does not stay with this lady or with someone of prominence but with a tanner. By all his actions he leads people to humility. He allows neither the poor to be ashamed nor the great to be elated. For they needed his instruction, those who believed through the miracles. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 21.