“And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.”
About that time she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.—the death is sudden; the preparation (washing, placement in an upper chamber) follows Jewish burial custom. The setting 'upstairs' (hyperōion, literally 'in an upper story') echoes the resurrection appearances and post-Pentecost prayer room (Acts 1:13), suggesting liminal sacred space where divine action occurs.
Church Fathers on Acts 9:37
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Acts 9:36-38. Why…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!