King James Version

What Does Acts 9:40 Mean?

Acts 9:40 in the King James Version says “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down , and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she o...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Acts 9:40 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

41

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

42

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Peter's methodical approach—removing crowd, kneeling in prayer, speaking to corpse—demonstrates dependence on divine power while exercising apostolic authority, resulting in dramatic resurrection.

Put them all forth created private space for prayer, avoiding spectacle. This parallels Jesus raising Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:40)—removing unbelieving or disruptive crowd before miracle. Genuine ministry seeks God's glory, not public acclaim. The exclusion also protected against skepticism or mockery if nothing occurred.

Kneeled down and prayed demonstrates complete dependence on God. Peter possessed apostolic authority but no inherent power. The prayer (content unspecified) sought divine intervention. Reformed theology emphasizes miracles require prayer because God alone holds power over life and death.

Turning to the body said, Tabitha, arise combines prayer with command. Like Jesus at Lazarus's tomb (John 11:43), Peter spoke to corpse with authority. She opened her eyes and sat up confirms genuine death and genuine resurrection—not resuscitation of nearly-dead person but restoration of dead to life. This miracle authenticated apostolic ministry while demonstrating Christ's continuing power through His church.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The resurrection account parallels Jesus' miracles (Jairus's daughter, widow's son at Nain, Lazarus) and anticipates Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12). Apostles continued Christ's work, demonstrating His promised presence (Matthew 28:20). Unlike later legendary accounts, Luke provides sober, clinical narrative—no magical formulas, no elaborate rituals, just prayer and command.

The miracle's publicity (Acts 9:42) established Christianity's credibility throughout Joppa and region. This occurred around 38-39 CE, shortly before Cornelius encounter. God was demonstrating through Peter that resurrection power available in Jesus overcomes death—ultimate human enemy. Tabitha's restoration foreshadowed final resurrection hope central to Christian proclamation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What role does private prayer play before public demonstrations of God's power?
  2. How does removing crowds before ministry distinguish genuine spiritual power from showmanship?
  3. In what ways do apostolic miracles authenticate gospel claims about Jesus' resurrection?
  4. What distinguishes biblical resurrection accounts from legendary miracle stories?
  5. How should believers balance expecting God's miraculous intervention with accepting His sovereign will regarding healing and death?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ἐκβαλὼν1 of 29

“put”

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

δὲ2 of 29

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἔξω3 of 29

“forth”

G1854

out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively

πάντας4 of 29

“them all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ5 of 29
G3588

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

Πέτρον6 of 29

“Peter”

G4074

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

θεὶς7 of 29

“and kneeled down”

G5087

to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr

τὰ8 of 29
G3588

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

γόνατα9 of 29
G1119

the "knee"

προσηύξατο10 of 29

“and prayed”

G4336

to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship

καὶ11 of 29

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπιστρέψας12 of 29

“turning”

G1994

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)

πρὸς13 of 29

“him to”

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,

τὸ14 of 29
G3588

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

σῶμα15 of 29

“the body”

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

εἶπεν16 of 29

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ταβιθά17 of 29

“Tabitha”

G5000

the gazelle; tabitha (i.e., tabjetha), a christian female

ἀνάστηθι18 of 29

“arise”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

ἡ19 of 29
G3588

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

δὲ20 of 29

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἤνοιξεν21 of 29

“she opened”

G455

to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)

τοὺς22 of 29
G3588

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

ὀφθαλμοὺς23 of 29

“eyes”

G3788

the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)

αὐτῆς24 of 29
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

καὶ25 of 29

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰδοῦσα26 of 29

“when she saw”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τὸν27 of 29
G3588

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

Πέτρον28 of 29

“Peter”

G4074

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

ἀνεκάθισεν29 of 29

“she sat up”

G339

properly, to set up, i.e., (reflexively) to sit up

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 9:40 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 9:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 9:25Mark 5:40-42Luke 8:54Acts 7:602 Kings 4:32-361 Kings 17:19-23

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