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Thoughts on Barnabas and Dorcas
Just two random short thoughts for today.
1. We don't think about Barnabas too often, but he was a really amazing guy. He shows up in a few Bible stories that kids usually learn, but he's always with Paul or something, and doesn't really get the attention he deserves. I think 9:27 really shows his character: when everyone else was too afraid of Paul to give him a chance, Barnabas stepped out and gave him that chance. I can't say whether or not Barnabas believed in Paul, but more than he believed in Jesus' power to change anyone. Awesome guy.
2. Dorcas (9:36-42) has a pretty unfortunate name, but a really great story. It's a pretty straightforward story, but gains a lot more significance and when you spend some time on it. F.F. Bruce points out an important parallel that is difficult to see in English, but very significant. Remember, Acts is in essence a continuation of the Gospels. Peter's healing of Dorcas bears striking similarities to Jesus' healing of the little girl that died.
"Peter, who was there when Jesus had raised Jairus’s daughter, followed some of his procedures here. He sent the mourners out (v. 40; cf. Mark. 5:40). He probably spoke in Aramaic, and his words, probably “Tabitha koum(i)” (Acts 9:40), differed in only one letter to Jesus’ words, “Talitha koum(i)." [1]
This explains why Luke feels compelled at this point to point out that the woman was known as both Dorcas and Tabitha - something that he doesn't usually do for "minor" characters. Cool parallel.
Questions? Comments?
Thoughts on Barnabas and Dorcas
Just two random short thoughts for today.
1. We don't think about Barnabas too often, but he was a really amazing guy. He shows up in a few Bible stories that kids usually learn, but he's always with Paul or something, and doesn't really get the attention he deserves. I think 9:27 really shows his character: when everyone else was too afraid of Paul to give him a chance, Barnabas stepped out and gave him that chance. I can't say whether or not Barnabas believed in Paul, but more than he believed in Jesus' power to change anyone. Awesome guy.
2. Dorcas (9:36-42) has a pretty unfortunate name, but a really great story. It's a pretty straightforward story, but gains a lot more significance and when you spend some time on it. F.F. Bruce points out an important parallel that is difficult to see in English, but very significant. Remember, Acts is in essence a continuation of the Gospels. Peter's healing of Dorcas bears striking similarities to Jesus' healing of the little girl that died.
"Peter, who was there when Jesus had raised Jairus’s daughter, followed some of his procedures here. He sent the mourners out (v. 40; cf. Mark. 5:40). He probably spoke in Aramaic, and his words, probably “Tabitha koum(i)” (Acts 9:40), differed in only one letter to Jesus’ words, “Talitha koum(i)." [1]
This explains why Luke feels compelled at this point to point out that the woman was known as both Dorcas and Tabitha - something that he doesn't usually do for "minor" characters. Cool parallel.
Questions? Comments?
[1] Ajith Fernando, Acts, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998), 310. Also - Bruce, Acts, NICNT, 199.
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