King James Version

What Does Acts 9:38 Mean?

Acts 9:38 in the King James Version says “And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there , they sent unto him two men,...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh 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. delay: or, be grieved”

Acts 9:38 · KJV

Context

36

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. Dorcas: or, Doe, or, Roe

37

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.

38

And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh 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. delay: or, be grieved

39

Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down , and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh 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. The urgent summons demonstrates the church's faith in apostolic authority and expectation of divine intervention through Spirit-filled leadership.

Forasmuch as establishes geographical reasoning—Lydda's proximity (10-12 miles) made urgent appeal feasible. The disciples' awareness of Peter's location suggests communication networks among early Christian communities. They didn't summon randomly but strategically sought apostolic ministry.

Sent...two men follows biblical pattern of paired witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15) and provides mutual support. Desiring him indicates earnest request, not casual invitation. The phrase would not delay conveys urgency—either hope for resurrection if Peter arrived quickly, or need for pastoral comfort to grieving community.

Reformed theology sees this as exercising faith without presumption. They hoped God might work through Peter but didn't demand it. Genuine faith requests boldly while submitting to divine sovereignty. Their action exemplifies balanced faith—trusting God's power while respecting His freedom.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Lydda-Joppa distance allowed same-day travel. News of Aeneas's healing (Acts 9:32-35) had spread quickly, raising expectations about Peter's apostolic authority. The Joppa disciples' request parallels Jairus seeking Jesus for his dying daughter (Mark 5:22-23) and demonstrates early Christianity's high view of apostolic ministry.

Ancient communication relied on messengers—no telephone, telegraph, or instant messaging. Sending two men represented significant investment, indicating community's desperation and faith. This occurred around 38-39 CE, shortly before Cornelius encounter. God was positioning Peter for sequential miraculous events building toward revolutionary Gentile inclusion revelation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should Christians balance boldness in prayer with submission to God's sovereign will?
  2. What role do church leaders play as instruments of God's power versus wielding inherent authority?
  3. In what ways does geographical proximity serve God's providential purposes in ministry?
  4. How should desperate circumstances affect the urgency and boldness of our prayers?
  5. What does sending paired messengers teach about wisdom in Christian communication and requests?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
ἐγγὺς1 of 25

“was nigh”

G1451

near (literally or figuratively, of place or time)

δὲ2 of 25

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

οὔσης3 of 25

“forasmuch as”

G5607

being

Λύδδης4 of 25

“Lydda”

G3069

lydda (i.e., lod), a place in palestine

τῇ5 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰόππῃ6 of 25

“to Joppa”

G2445

joppe (i.e., japho), a place in palestine

οἱ7 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθηταὶ8 of 25

“and the disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

ἀκούσαντες9 of 25

“had heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ὅτι10 of 25

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Πέτρος11 of 25

“Peter”

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

ἐστὶν12 of 25

“was”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἐν13 of 25

“there”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτῶν14 of 25

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀπέστειλαν15 of 25

“they sent”

G649

set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively

δύο16 of 25

“two”

G1417

"two"

ἄνδρας17 of 25

“men”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

πρὸς18 of 25

“unto”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

αὐτῶν19 of 25

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

παρακαλοῦντες20 of 25

“desiring”

G3870

to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)

Μὴ21 of 25

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ὀκνήσαι22 of 25

“delay”

G3635

to be slow (figuratively, loath)

διελθεῖν23 of 25

“to come”

G1330

to traverse (literally)

ἕως24 of 25

“to”

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

αὐτῶν25 of 25

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 9:38 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 9:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 9:36Acts 11:26Acts 9:322 Kings 4:28-30

Places in This Verse

JoppaSettlement · Modern: Jaffa · 32.05°N, 34.75°E14 verses across 5 books
LodSettlement · Modern: Lod · 31.95°N, 34.90°E7 verses across 4 books
View all places in Acts 9 →

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