Who is…
Dorcas

also known as: Tabitha

Both her names translate to “gazelle” — a graceful, swift, and beautiful animal often used symbolically in ancient times to describe an elegant or beloved woman.

Dorcas was a pious Christian widow living at Joppa, a coastal port city important for trade and travel. Peter restored her to life (Acts 9:36-41) through the miraculous power of God.

Dramatic Miracle

Dorcas/Tabitha became ill and died. The believers in Joppa, aware that the apostle Peter was nearby in Lydda, urgently sent for him. Peter arrived, sent everyone out of the room, knelt and prayed, then commanded, “Tabitha, get up” (Acts 9:40).

She opened her eyes, saw Peter, sat up, and he helped her stand. He then presented her alive to the believers, particularly the widows.

This miracle echoes Jesus' resurrections (e.g., raising Jairus' daughter or the widow's son at Nain) and demonstrates the continuation of resurrection power through the apostles in the early church.

Evangelistic Impact

The miracle “became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord” (Acts 9:42). It served as more powerful evidence of Jesus’ ongoing work through his followers, leading to conversions and strengthening the young church in this Gentile-leaning area coastal region.

She is mentioned in the New Testament in the Book of Acts (Acts 9:36–43), recorded in the early history of the Christian church, during the period shortly after Jesus' resurrection and ascension, as the apostles spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem.

She was a Hellenistic Jewess, called Tabitha by the Jews and Dorcas by the Greeks.

She became a true follower of Christ and Scripture explicitly calls her a disciple (using the rare feminine Greek form mathetria), making her the only named woman in the New Testament explicitly identified this way. This highlights her status as a committed follower of Jesus, not merely a supporter.

She was renowned for being “devoted to good works and acts of charity" (Acts 9:36). Specifically, she made clothing (tunics and garments) for the poor, especially widows.

She followed Christ’s words in Matthew 25:31–46 about caring for “the least of these.”

When she died, the community showed Peter the garments she had made (Acts 9:39), underscoring how her practical service had directly supported vulnerable people and built community networks.

Her brief appearance in Scripture illustrates how God uses “ordinary” believers — especially women — to advance the kingdom, demonstrate resurrection power, and draw others to faith through visible love. Her legacy emphasizes that faithfulness in small, practical acts can have eternal ripple effects in the life of the church.