Acts 9:43
And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
Acts 9:43
This verse notes that Peter remained in Joppa for many days, staying with Simon the tanner. This detail highlights two important themes: humility and relational hospitality. Peter’s continued presence in a seemingly ordinary setting contrasts with the dramatic miracle just described, showing that the gospel advances through steady, everyday commitments as much as through spectacular signs. The choice to stay with a tanner also signals the breaking of social and ceremonial barriers—the gospel is at work in a place associated with death and dealing with animal hides, far from the temple-centered purity codes. It’s a practical model of discipleship—missionary work requires us to linger, build relationships, and model a life of faith in ordinary contexts. The verse quietly sets up the transition to Acts 10, where God expands the mission to Cornelius, signaling a shift from Jew-first to gospel for all nations.
Theologically, the verse emphasizes the continuity of mission and the necessity of humble, relational living. The apostolic activity doesn’t end with a miracle; it continues through ordinary hospitality that creates space for God to move. The presence of Peter in Joppa indicates that God’s work in healing and salvation is not a one-off event but a sustained pattern of God’s people staying among communities, bearing witness, and forming durable relationships as the gospel travels outward.
Practical takeaway: cultivate long-term hospitality and relationships in unlikely places. If you host a small group, invite neighbors who work in trades or crafts—like a tanner’s circle—people who do not typically overlap with church life. Stay where you are, invest in relationships, and let life together create opportunities for gospel conversations. Small, consistent presence often yields more fruit than short-term interventions. Also, consider hosting practical aid projects in your neighborhood—free clothing drives, job-skills workshops, or neighborhood repair days—that demonstrate the gospel before it’s preached verbally.
Cross-References: Acts 10:1-8; Romans 12:13; 1 John 3:17; Luke 10:5-9