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Biblical People

Biblical People: Tabitha (Dorcas)

Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, lives in Joppa. Luke says she’s a disciple and a good person. She enjoys helping poor people. One way she does this is by making clothes for people in need.

She gets sick and dies. 

Her friends prepare her body for burial. They mourn her death while celebrating her life.

Peter’s in a nearby town. 

Some faith-filled followers of Jesus send for him. They ask him to come as soon as possible. 

Peter agrees. When he arrives, he goes to where they’ve laid her body for viewing. He looks at her and tells her to get up. 

She does. 

Peter guides her to the balcony. He presents her to all those gathered to pay their respects. News of this amazing miracle spreads fast. As a result, many more people believe in Jesus.

Tabitha dedicates her life to helping people in need, but, like Jesus, it’s her death and resurrection that help them the most.

May both our life and our death point people to Jesus. What should we do to make sure this happens?

[Discover more about Tabitha in Acts 9:36–42.]


Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.