And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

People's New Testament

9:43 Tarried many days. Perhaps a year.

In Joppa with one Simon the tanner. Joppa was a large city and a favorable field of work. Here Peter was found, at the house of Simon the tanner (Ac 10:6) when called to Caesarea by the messengers of Cornelius. It was by the seaside (Ac 10:32) and a house is still pointed out, close to the seashore, as that of Simon, which Dean Stanley believes to be on the original site.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

43. with one Simon a tanner-a trade regarded by the Jews as half unclean, and consequently disreputable, from the contact with dead animals and blood which was connected with it. For this reason, even by other nations, it is usually carried on at some distance from towns; accordingly, Simon's house was "by the seaside" (Ac 10:6). Peter's lodging there shows him already to some extent above Jewish prejudice.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:36-43 Many are full of good words, who are empty and barren in good works; but Tabitha was a great doer, no great talker. Christians who have not property to give in charity, may yet be able to do acts of charity, working with their hands, or walking with their feet, for the good of others. Those are certainly best praised whose own works praise them, whether the words of others do so or not. But such are ungrateful indeed, who have kindness shown them, and will not acknowledge it, by showing the kindness that is done them. While we live upon the fulness of Christ for our whole salvation, we should desire to be full of good works, for the honour of his name, and for the benefit of his saints. Such characters as Dorcas are useful where they dwell, as showing the excellency of the word of truth by their lives. How mean then the cares of the numerous females who seek no distinction but outward decoration, and who waste their lives in the trifling pursuits of dress and vanity! Power went along with the word, and Dorcas came to life. Thus in the raising of dead souls to spiritual life, the first sign of life is the opening of the eyes of the mind. Here we see that the Lord can make up every loss; that he overrules every event for the good of those who trust in him, and for the glory of his name.