Acts 9:42

And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

And {G1161} it was {G1096} known {G1110} throughout {G2596} all {G3650} Joppa {G2445}; and {G2532} many {G4183} believed {G4100} in {G1909} the Lord {G2962}.

This became known all over Yafo, and many people put their trust in the Lord.

This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord.

Acts 9:42 describes the remarkable outcome of a divine intervention in the ancient coastal city of Joppa (modern Jaffa). This verse immediately follows the miraculous raising of Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, by the Apostle Peter.

Context

Prior to this verse, the Apostle Peter was ministering in Lydda, where he healed Aeneas, a paralyzed man (Acts 9:34), leading many there to turn to the Lord. News then came to Peter from Joppa, a prominent port city, that a beloved disciple named Dorcas had died. She was known for her good works and acts of charity. Peter traveled to Joppa, and after praying, he commanded Dorcas to rise, and she opened her eyes (Acts 9:40). The immediate impact of this stunning miracle is captured in verse 42: it was not a private event but became "known throughout all Joppa."

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Authority: The resurrection of Dorcas clearly demonstrated the power of God working through His chosen apostles. This miracle served as an undeniable sign of God's presence and validation of Peter's ministry.
  • The Spread of the Gospel: This event significantly contributed to the expansion of the early church. The fame of the miracle led directly to widespread belief in the Lord, showing how God used extraordinary signs to draw people to Himself and extend His kingdom beyond Jerusalem.
  • Faith and Conversion: The verse highlights the outcome of the miracle: "many believed in the Lord." This belief was not mere intellectual acknowledgment but a transformative commitment of trust and allegiance to Jesus Christ, leading to genuine conversion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "believed in the Lord" (Greek: episteusan en tō Kyriō - ἐπίστευσαν ἐν τῷ Κυρίῳ) signifies a profound trust and reliance upon Jesus Christ as God and Savior. It's more than just believing that He exists; it's believing into Him, placing one's entire faith and hope in His person and work. The use of "the Lord" (Kyrios) implicitly refers to Jesus Christ, acknowledging His divine authority and sovereignty.

Significance and Application

Acts 9:42 reminds us that God actively works to draw people to Himself. While miraculous resurrections are rare, the principle remains: God uses various means—including powerful testimonies, changed lives, and the clear proclamation of the Gospel—to reveal His truth. The response of the people in Joppa underscores the importance of a heart open to God's work. For us today, it encourages us to share the good news of Jesus, trusting that God will use our witness to bring others to saving faith in Him, just as He did in ancient Joppa. The widespread belief also shows the cumulative effect of God's power and the faithful witness of His servants.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 11:45

    ¶ Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

  • Acts 9:35

    And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

  • John 12:11

    Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

  • John 12:44

    ¶ Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.

  • Acts 19:17

    And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

  • Acts 19:18

    And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

  • Acts 11:21

    And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
← Back