What does Acts 9:39 mean?

Since Saul left his chosen profession of destroying the church and every Jesus-follower, and became a Jesus-follower himself, things have quieted down for the church—so much so that Peter is traveling, building up those who escaped Saul's wrath in Jerusalem and sharing Jesus' message to those who haven't heard (Acts 9:1–32). He makes his way to Lydda, called in the Old Testament and today "Lod," and heals a paralyzed man (Acts 9:32–35). While he is still there, two men from the nearby town of Joppa arrive and quickly explain that a devout, respected Jesus-follower named Tabitha has died. They urge Peter to come, believing he can raise her (Acts 9:36–38). They must go quickly, however, because Jews bury their dead before sundown.

There are some interesting contrasts to the stories of Tabitha and Jairus' daughter in Mark 5:35–43. The family of the girl and friends of Tabitha love them deeply. Both groups have faith that Jesus can heal their loved one. The mourners, however, are very different. In the case of Jairus' daughters, professional mourners arrived, causing "a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly" (Mark 5:38). Their feelings were insincere—when Jesus told them the girl was not dead, they laughed at Him. Jesus had to remove them and take only her parents, Peter, James, and John into the room.

Peter now meets a very different group. Widows from the community are genuinely distraught. They show him evidence of Tabitha's generosity, as if trying to prove she deserves to be raised. It's a striking example of how a rule-based culture can devolve into an insincere display of works; the community that truly has faith in Jesus is characterized by love and hope.