“And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.”
He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.—the hand-clasping (echoing Aeneas's immediate rising) enacts Peter's involvement in her restoration. The gathering of believers and especially widows for the presentation transforms private miracle into ecclesial event; Dorcas is restored not in isolation but to community. Her resurrection is for service.
Church Fathers on Acts 9:41
And he gave her his hand. Acts 9:41 So did Christ to the daughter of Jairus: And (says the Evangelist) having taken her by the hand. Mark severally, first the life, then the strength brought into her, the one by the word, the other by his hand — And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive: to some for comfort, because they received back their sister, and because they saw the miracle, and for kindly support…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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