Tabitha The Disciple

A look at the essential role of women and authority in the early church.

Acts 9:36-43

Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37 At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs.38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter got up and went with them, and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them.40 Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Meanwhile, he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Tabitha the Disciple

Women are undeniably the backbone of any church community. Throughout history and in every congregation, I’ve encountered, women’s contributions are so vital that the community would falter without their efforts. The story of Tabitha in Acts 9:36-43 exemplifies this truth, often overlooked amidst the miracle of her resurrection. Her life showcases the profound influence women have had on the growth and sustenance of the early church, emphasizing that their leadership and support are biblically grounded and essential.[i]

The Significance of Tabitha’s Ministry

Tabitha, known by her Aramaic name and her Greek nickname Dorcas, was a disciple renowned for her charitable deeds. Luke's mention of her as a "mathētria" (female disciple) in this context is unique because in Greek, disciple is traditionally a masculine noun. By giving her the title Luke is challenging his present day and also modern assumptions that leadership roles for women are not biblical. Her influence extended beyond her immediate community, possibly inspiring other women to support Christ and the church. Her practical ministry—selling her handmade garments to support widows—highlighted the importance of tangible acts of service that foster community and care within a society that marginalized women, especially widows. (Ott, 2025)

When Tabitha died, the widows' grief and their showing of her clothing to Peter underscore the vital support she provided. Their dependence on her work reflects her role in the survival and cohesion of their community. Her miraculous resurrection not only affirms Peter’s divine authority but also underscores the value of overlooked resources—particularly the contributions of women—in building a resilient faith community.

Women’s Contributions in the Early Ministry

This theme of women’s support is not confined to the story of Tabitha. Luke’s Gospel recounts how women accompanied Jesus—Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and others—who supported his ministry financially and through acts of charity (Luke 8:1-3). Luke 8:3 states, “[These women] ministered to them (That is Jesus and the 12 disciples) out of their own resources.” These women’s service and support were foundational, enabling the spread of the Gospel and demonstrating that the early church’s vitality depended on such practical, relational acts of love and care.

Women like Tabitha were the unsung heroes of the early Christian movement. Their work ensured the survival of the vulnerable, created a nurturing environment for the Gospel’s growth, and reinforced Christ’s message of love, equality, and service. It was their steadfast faith in God and Spirit led acts of charity that exemplify what God’s kingdom is built upon.  Their contributions to all, regardless of societal hierarchies, show us how to live like Christ.

The Interplay of Authority and Support: Peter and Women

The story of Peter’s authority and the role of women like Tabitha are not competing forces but mutually reinforcing aspects of divine design. Peter’s leadership—his miracles, preaching, and authority—served as markers of his divine calling and are important aspects that establish the church’s spiritual foundation. Yet, his effectiveness depended heavily on the communal support provided by women such as Tabitha, whose practical, tangible service to the community helped sustain the ministry.

Peter’s miracles validated his divine authority, but he and the other Apostles depended on the trust and faith of communities where women played central roles. Their support enabled the church to flourish both spiritually and practically. Imagine a church that doesn’t do outreach to help feed, clothe, and give shelter in some way to their neighbors. Do you think that such a church would survive?

Speculating the Impact of Women’s Absence

Reflecting on the early church’s development, it becomes clear that without women’s contributions—supporting Jesus’s ministry, caring for the vulnerable, and maintaining community after the resurrection—the church’s growth would have been severely hindered. Women’s involvement ensured the practical functioning of early Christian communities, allowing the Gospel to take root and flourish.

God’s deliberate use of women in Gospel narratives underscores a profound theological truth: the Kingdom of God is built upon diverse contributions of all people. Leadership is not confined to miracles or sermons but encompasses acts of charity, service, and daily faithfulness, all vital for a vibrant community. I once had a boss who told me that, “Selling guitars involves the steak and the sizzle.” He explained that everyone hears, sees, and smells the cast iron plate that has the steak on it when the waiter at a restaurant brings out the hot skillet out of the kitchen, but only one person eats the steak. Likewise, selling guitars takes having shiny new guitars on the wall for everyone to see, but only one person gets to take it home and play it. To put this analogy onto the church; Everyone hears about the miracle, many may hear the story, but only one may be affected by the miracle, like Tabitha. At the music store, the extras are what kept the store open. A music store may offer lessons, repair instruments, and sell accessories, which enhance the life of the musicians who come into the store. The other things that are associated with the ministry, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, giving shelter to the homeless, those things affect so many more. The sizzle is the big miracle, the steak is the life-giving ministry that supports the orphan, widow, and the poor. God uses everyone’s gifts as the Spirit gives, the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corithian 12:6-7)

So, one may conclude that the growth of the church depended on both Peter’s divine authority and the indispensable work of women like Tabitha. It is a divinely symbiotic relationship—Peter’s spiritual leadership and the women’s practical service.

In this Easter season and in the shadow of Mother’s Day, we are called to reflect on how faith communities operate and who truly sustains them. Inspired by Tabitha’s story, churches should consider whose work would leave an irreplaceable void if lost and how untapped talents could be harnessed for collective growth. Many individuals, often undervalued by societal norms, find purpose and belonging in faithful service. Who among us could be so used by the Spirit? Who among us feels such a call, but is fearful of speaking up?

Conclusion: Honoring the Unseen Work

As the modern church seeks to embody the fullness of God’s kingdom, it must elevate and honor the voices and acts of those who serve quietly yet powerfully—like Tabitha, even as it seeks Spirit filled individuals to move us forward. Just as Peter needed Tabitha’s presence and support, today’s faith communities rely on the unseen but vital contributions of women and others who serve faithfully, often without recognition. Recognizing and valuing these roles ensures that the church remains resilient, inclusive, and true to its divine calling. May we continuously seek to minister as Christ ministered, the Apostle’s ministered, and as Tabitha and the widows ministered.

In the name of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Bibliography

3102. mathetria [Online] // Bible Hub. - May 11, 2025. - May 11, 2025. - https://biblehub.com/greek/3102.htm.

Looking into the Lectionary [Online] / auth. Ott Teri McDowell // pres-outlook.org. - The Presbyterian Outlook, April 28, 2025. - May 04, 2025. - https://pres-outlook.org/2025/04/fourth-sunday-of-easter-may-11-2025/.

NIV Study Bible [Book]. - Grand rapids, MI : Zondervan, 2011.

NRSVue // NRSVue Holy Bible with Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. - Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 2022.

The Westminster Study Bible [Book] / ed. Powery Emerson B. [et al.]. - Louisville, KY : Westminster John Knox Press, 2024.

[i] This article is inspired by the work of Teri Ott from the April 28, 2025, article on the Presbyterian Outlook website. Teri gives us a new perspective of the death and resurrection of Tabitha that sent me down several rabbit holes of study. Also, if interested in the women of the Bible, you may be interested in The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today by Shannon Bream. It is available on Amazon Kindle and Audible.