Peter In Lydda

Lydda, pronounced in Greek as lud-daw, was a town located about 15 kilometers / 9 miles from the coastal city of Joppa, on the road between Jerusalem and The Mediterranean Sea. The Greek name of the town is derived from Lod (in Hebrew pronounced lode), the name by which the town was known in the Old Testament.

"^8:12 The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof" (1 Chronicles 8:12 KJV)

"^11:31 The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, ^11:32 And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, ^11:33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, ^11:34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, ^11:35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. ^11:36 And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin." (Nehemiah 11:31-36 KJV)

"Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda"

Lydda is mentioned only in the latter part of the ninth chapter of Acts. At the time that the former Christian persecutor Saul was just then being converted to Christianity, thereafter being known as the apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-31; see also Was Paul Among Them?), the apostle Peter (see Peter's Ministry and Peter's Prophecy) was hard at work preaching The Gospel of The Kingdom of God in the land of Israel.

It was at Lydda that the Holy Spirit of God healed Aeneas, "which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy."

"^9:32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

^9:33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. ^9:34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

^9:35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord." (Acts 9:32-35 KJV)

When other believers at Joppa heard that the Holy Spirit was healing through Peter in Lydda, they asked him to come to there, "forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa."

"^9:36 Now 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. ^9:37 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. ^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.

^9:39 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 showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

^9:40 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. ^9:41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. ^9:42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord [see Why Were Their Deaths Interrupted?]. ^9:43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner." (Acts 9:36-43 KJV)

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See Faith and Healing and The Healers; also Sabbath Healings