Note 1 at Acts 9:36: Joppa is the modern day city of Jaffa, a thriving metropolis in Israel located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 30 miles northwest of Jerusalem. It is a very ancient city having been written about in the 15th century B.C. concerning the conquests of Thutmose III.

The city of Joppa was assigned to the tribe of Dan when the Hebrews divided the promised land (Josh. 19:56). Joppa's harbor was used as the port of Jerusalem by Solomon in the construction of the temple (2 Chr. 2:16) and in the rebuilding of the temple by Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:7). It was from Joppa that Jonah fled from the face of the Lord on a ship bound for Tarshish (Jon. 1:3). Peter took up residence in Joppa for a time (v. 43) and was there when Cornelius sent for him (Acts 10:5-6).

Note 2 at Acts 9:36: Dorcas was a Greek name while Tabitha was Aramaic or Syraic. Both names meant gazelle. Dorcas was one of the Lord's disciples in Joppa. She used her talents to minister to others which endeared her to the other believers.

Note 3 at Acts 9:36: We are saved unto good works (Eph. 2:8-10) not through good works. Dorcas' good works helped her in her relationships with people, which definitely worked to her advantage here, but it didn't give her any extra pull with God (see note 2 at Mt. 20:8, p. 394; note 2 at Lk. 11:42, p. 323).