Joppa

Illustration of Joppa

Joppa was an ancient port city on the Mediterranean coast of Israel that served as a key location in the spread of the early Christian church. In the book of Acts, the apostle Peter traveled to Joppa where he miraculously raised a disciple named Dorcas, also known as Tabitha, from the dead after she had fallen ill and passed away. While staying in Joppa at the home of Simon the tanner, Peter received a divine vision of a sheet containing various animals, which challenged Jewish dietary laws and prepared him to share the gospel with Gentiles. This event marked a pivotal moment in Scripture, demonstrating God's plan to extend salvation beyond the Jewish people to all nations through the inclusion of Cornelius and his household.

0:00

Details

Region
Canaan
Modern Location
Jaffa (Yafo), Tel Aviv, Israel
Strongest connections in Scripture
Acts 9 Acts 10

Nearby Places

(within ~40 km)

Key Passages

Peter Raises Dorcas

Acts 9:36-42

Peter raises Dorcas from death at Joppa - her resurrection restores a beloved servant to the community and causes many to believe in the Lord.

N36ow there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 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. 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.

Peter's Vision on the Rooftop

Acts 10:9-16

On a Joppa rooftop, God shows Peter that no person is unclean - this vision shatters Jewish exclusivism and opens the door for Gentile inclusion in the church.

O9n the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Related

Characters

Timeline Events