Queerying Easter 4C

Rev. Emily E. Ewing queeries the Acts reading.

Acts 9:36-43
³⁶Now 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.

³⁷At that time Tabitha became ill and died.

When they had washed her,

they laid her in a room upstairs.

³⁸Since Lydda was near Joppa,

the disciples, who heard that Peter was there,

sent two people to him with the request,

“Please come to us without delay.”

³⁹So Peter got up and went with them;

and when he arrived,

they took him to the room upstairs.

All the widows stood beside Peter,

weeping and showing tunics and other clothing

that Dorcas had made while she was with them.

⁴⁰Peter 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.

⁴¹He gave her his hand and helped her up.

Then calling the saints and widows,

he showed her to be alive.

⁴²This became known throughout Joppa,

and many believed in the Lord.

⁴³Meanwhile Peter stayed in Joppa for some time

with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Queeries for the text:
What is with Acts' multiple names?
Why do all the witnesses always get sent out of the room?
What else happens in upstairs rooms?
How are the widows and disciples connected? Are they the same people?
Were the tunics some of Tabitha's good works and acts of charity?
Is this "certain Simon" code for Peter's "roommate"?
What does a tanner do?

What are your queeries?