Study Desk

After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,

but their plot became known to Saul. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him,^(t)

but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.^(u)

When he arrived in Jerusalem,^(v) he tried to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple.

Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly^(w) in the name of Jesus.^(x)

Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,^[b] but they attempted to kill him.^(y)

When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.^(z)

So the church^(aa) throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.

As Peter was traveling from place to place,^[c] he also came down to the saints^(ab) who lived in Lydda.^(ac)

There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.

Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed,"^[d] and immediately he got up.^(ad)

So all who lived in Lydda and Sharon^(ae) saw him and turned to the Lord.

In Joppa^(af) there was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas.^[e] She was always doing good works^(ag) and acts of charity.

In those days she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs.

Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who begged him, "Don't delay in coming with us."

So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them.

Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.^(ah)

He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive.

This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

And Peter stayed on many days in Joppa with Simon,^(ai) a leather tanner.^[f]