Acts 9:38

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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(38) Desiring him that he would not delay.—The better MSS. give the message somewhat more dramatically, “Delay not,” and “Be not reluctant to come.” It was, of course, necessary that he should come at once, as interment would have come, as a matter of course, on the following day.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:36-43 Many are full of good words, who are empty and barren in good works; but Tabitha was a great doer, no great talker. Christians who have not property to give in charity, may yet be able to do acts of charity, working with their hands, or walking with their feet, for the good of others. Those are certainly best praised whose own works praise them, whether the words of others do so or not. But such are ungrateful indeed, who have kindness shown them, and will not acknowledge it, by showing the kindness that is done them. While we live upon the fulness of Christ for our whole salvation, we should desire to be full of good works, for the honour of his name, and for the benefit of his saints. Such characters as Dorcas are useful where they dwell, as showing the excellency of the word of truth by their lives. How mean then the cares of the numerous females who seek no distinction but outward decoration, and who waste their lives in the trifling pursuits of dress and vanity! Power went along with the word, and Dorcas came to life. Thus in the raising of dead souls to spiritual life, the first sign of life is the opening of the eyes of the mind. Here we see that the Lord can make up every loss; that he overrules every event for the good of those who trust in him, and for the glory of his name.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Was neigh to Joppa - See the notes on Acts 9:32.

They sent unto him ... - Why they sent is not affirmed. It is probable that they desired his presence to comfort and sustain them in their affliction. It is certainly possible that they expected he would restore her to life; but as this is not mentioned; as the apostles had as yet raised up no one from the dead; as even Stephen had not been restored to life, we have no authority for assuming, or supposing, that they had formed any such expectation.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

38. the disciples sent unto Peter—showing that the disciples generally did not possess miraculous gifts [Bengel].

Matthew Poole's Commentary

They sent for Peter, that he might come to comfort those that were concerned in the great loss of so good a woman, and, it may be, not without some hopes of her recovery by a miracle from St. Peter; which is the likelier, because they so much hasten his coming to them, she being already dead, and they preparing for her burial.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa,.... Some say it was six miles distant, but it must be eight; since from Jerusalem to Joppa were forty miles, and from Jerusalem to Lydda thirty two, and therefore it must be eight miles from thence to Joppa:

and the disciples had heard that Peter was there; and also no doubt that he had healed Aeneas of his palsy, and which might induce them to do as follows:

they sent unto him two men; very likely of their own company or church; for it is certain here were disciples or believers in Christ, and very likely were formed into a church state; these seem to be converts under Philip's ministry, who when he went from Azotus, preached in all the cities, and so in Joppa, till he came to Caesarea, Acts 8:40 though we read nothing in ecclesiastical history of this church at Joppa, until the fifth century, when it appears there was a church in that place (n); and in the same century we read of Fidus bishop of Joppa, that was present in the synod held at Ephesus, anno 431 and in the sixth century of Elias bishop of the same place, in the council at Jerusalem, anno 536 (o) and in the same century a bishop of the church here assisted in the synod of Rome and Constantinople (p).

desiring him, that he would not delay to come to them; they entreated he would not refuse to come, and think it too great a burden on him, or make any difficulty about it, or show any aversion to it; but that he would with all readiness and cheerfulness, and without delay immediately come unto them; for the case they wanted him for required speed and haste.

(n) Magdeburg. Hist. Eccles. cent. 5. c. 2. p. 2.((o) Reland. Palestina Illustrata, l. 3. p. 867. (p) Magdeburg. ib. cent. 6. c. 2. p. 3.

Geneva Study Bible

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.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 9:38. Λύδδης, on the form see above on Acts 9:35; nine miles from Joppa.—παρακαλοῦντες; the only passage in which the oratio recta follows if we read μὴ ὀκνήσῃς, see critical notes; this also best represents the urgency of the message (cf. John 11:3), as in R.V.—μἠ ὀκν.: “fides non tollit civilitatem verborum,” Bengel. Verb only here in N.T., cf. LXX, Numbers 22:16, of Balak to Balaam, a phrase almost identically similar.—διελθεῖν, cf. Luke 2:15, and Acts 9:32 above, and below Acts 11:19. Like other compounds of ἔρχομαι very frequent in Luke, as compared with other writers (Friedrich, p. 7).—ἕως αὐτῶν: use of ἕως locally, common in St. Luke (Friedrich, p. 20); ἕως with genitive of the person as here, cf. Luke 4:42, 1Ma 3:26; not so used in classical writers (Plummer).

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

38. desiring him that he would not delay to come to them] The best MSS. give a more graphic form to the sentence by the use of the direct entreaty. Read, “intreating him, Delay not to come on to us.” It is as though their supplication were “We have heard of the mighty works which Jesus has wrought by thy hands; extend thy journey to us, for we are in great need.”

Bengel's Gnomen

Acts 9:38. Οἱ μαθηταἰ, the disciples) Therefore these had not the gift of miracles.—δύο, two) on a weighty business. [They were hoping that there would happen that which actually did ensue.—V. g.]—μὴ ὀκνῆσαι, that he would not he loath [think it irksome]) Faith does not set aside courtesy in words, such as they here used: LXX., Numbers 22:16, ἀξιῶ σε, μὴ ὀκνήσῃς ἐλθεῖν πρός με, “I pray thee, think it not irksome to come to me.”—διελθεῖν, to come over to them) They by this word intimate, that the journey of Peter will be profitable even to others on the road [διὰ referring to the country through which he has to pass in coming],—ἕως, even to) An argument from the ease with which he can come.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 38. - As for forasmuch as, A.V.; unto for to, A.V.; the disciples, hearing... sent for and the disciples had heard... they sent, A.V.; two men unto him for unto him two men, A.V.; entreating for desiring, A.V.; delay not to come on unto us for that he would not delay to come to them, A.V. and T.R. It is impossible to say whether any vague hope that Dorcas might be restored to life by Peter's prayers animated those who sent for Peter, and who had either seen or heard of the miracles wrought by him at Jerusalem before the persecution (Acts 5:15), or whether it only was that they felt the need of comfort and support in so great a sorrow. Two men; so Acts 10:7. Cornelius sends two of his household servants (comp. Acts 13:2; Acts 15:22). In unsafe times and by dangerous roads, it was customary to send two messengers, both for mutual protection and that, if anything happened to one, the other might still deliver the message. It was also a security against fraud. Acts 9:38

Vincent's Word Studies

That he would not delay (μὴ ὀκνῆσαι)

The best texts read ὀκνήσῃς putting the request in the form of a direct address, Delay not.

To come (διελθεῖν)

Lit., to come through. Rev., come on.