Acts 9:37

Came to pass. See on v. 32.

Was sick, and died. The details given of the treatment of Dorcas’ body are evidence that she had, indeed, died. Critics often attempt to throw doubt on the actuality of miracles of raising the dead by alleging that the person was simply in a coma.

Washed. The custom of washing the corpse was practiced by many people in classical times. Among the Jews it was known as the “purification of the dead.” In the Mishnah (Shabbath 23.5, Soncino ed. of the Talmud, p. 771) it is stated: “All the requirements of the dead may be done; he may be anointed with oil and washed.” The women of the church now performed this office for their beloved Dorcas.

Laid. In Jerusalem, burial took place on the day of death (cf. ch. 5:6, 10). Outside the capital there might be an interval of three days between death and burial. The corpse was allowed to lie until all hope of resuscitation was past and there was no danger of anyone’s being buried alive. During this waiting time the body was usually laid in the upper room, immediately under the roof. In the case of Dorcas, the church may have delayed burial in the hope of divine intervention. Peter had just healed Aeneas, and devout souls may well have hoped that he would restore Dorcas to life.