And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

ACTS 9:41KJV
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Acts 9:41 (KJV)

What does Acts 9:41 mean?

Acts 9:41 describes how Peter took Tabitha (also known as Dorcas) by the hand, helped her stand up after raising her from the dead, and then called in the believers and widows to show them that she was alive again. This verse highlights the moment when Peter publicly presented Tabitha restored to life.

Peter is the main figure in this scene, responding to the grief of the local Christian community in Joppa after Tabitha’s death. After praying, Peter acts with compassion and authority, physically helping Tabitha up and then inviting the gathered followers and widows—those who had mourned her—to witness her return to life. This act serves as a powerful sign to the early church of God’s power working through Peter.

The Greek behind Acts 9:41

  • ἐχείρισεν (ekheirisen, “gave [her] hand”): This word means to give or extend a hand, often to help someone up. Here, it shows Peter’s personal involvement and care as he helps Tabitha stand.
  • ἀνέστησεν (anestēsen, “lifted [her] up”): This verb is often used for rising or being raised, sometimes even for resurrection. Its use here emphasizes that Tabitha was not just helped up physically but restored to life.
  • ἁγίους (hagious, “saints”): This term refers to the believers or holy ones in the early church, showing that Peter called together the Christian community to witness the miracle.
  • χήρας (chēras, “widows”): Mentioning widows specifically highlights Tabitha’s special ministry to them and their grief at her loss, making her restoration especially meaningful for them.

Why Acts 9:41 matters

  • Acts 9:41 clarifies that Peter’s miracle was not done in secret; he made sure the whole community, especially those most affected by Tabitha’s death, saw her alive again.
  • The verse underscores the compassion and practical care shown by Peter, not just performing a miracle but personally helping Tabitha and comforting the grieving.
  • This moment connects to the wider story in Acts, showing how the early church was marked by signs and wonders that confirmed the message about Jesus and built up the faith of the believers.

Where else these words appear

“widows” Greek G5503 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
  • Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
  • 1 Timothy 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

“called” Greek G5455 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
  • Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
  • John 4:16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

“presented” Greek G3936 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
  • Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
  • Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

“lifted” Greek G450 · used in 111 verses

  • Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
  • Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
  • Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.