Topical Bible: Simon: A Tanner: Peter Lodges With

◄ Simon: A Tanner: Peter Lodges With ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Simon the Tanner is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. He is noted for his profession as a tanner and for providing lodging to the Apostle Peter in the city of Joppa. The account of Simon the Tanner is significant in the narrative of the early Christian church and highlights themes of hospitality, cultural boundaries, and divine revelation.

Biblical Account

Simon the Tanner is introduced in Acts 9:43, where it is recorded, "Peter stayed for many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon" . This brief mention sets the stage for a pivotal moment in the early church's history. The profession of tanning involved working with animal hides, which was considered ritually unclean according to Jewish law. Thus, Simon's occupation would have placed him on the fringes of Jewish society, making Peter's decision to stay with him noteworthy.

The narrative continues in Acts 10, where Peter, while staying at Simon's house, receives a vision from God. In this vision, a sheet is lowered from heaven containing various animals, and Peter is instructed to "kill and eat" (Acts 10:13). Peter initially resists, citing Jewish dietary laws, but the voice responds, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15). This vision occurs three times, emphasizing its importance and divine origin.

Significance

Peter's stay with Simon the Tanner and the subsequent vision mark a turning point in the early Christian movement. The vision is interpreted as God's directive to transcend Jewish dietary laws and, more broadly, to embrace Gentiles into the Christian faith. This revelation is soon put into practice when Peter is summoned to the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, where he witnesses the Holy Spirit descending upon Gentile believers (Acts 10:44-48).

The choice of Simon's house as the setting for this revelation is significant. It underscores the breaking down of traditional Jewish barriers and the expansion of the Gospel to all peoples, regardless of cultural or religious background. Peter's willingness to lodge with a tanner reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, which calls believers to reach beyond societal norms and prejudices.

Cultural and Theological Context

In the Jewish context of the time, tanners were often marginalized due to their constant contact with dead animals, which rendered them ceremonially unclean. By staying with Simon, Peter demonstrates a departure from strict adherence to Jewish purity laws, foreshadowing the inclusive nature of the Christian message.

Theologically, the account of Simon the Tanner and Peter's vision is a profound illustration of God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It highlights the transition from the Old Covenant, with its specific laws and rituals, to the New Covenant, characterized by grace and the universality of the Gospel. This narrative affirms the belief that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all, Jew and Gentile alike.

Conclusion

The account of Simon the Tanner and Peter's vision in Joppa is a foundational moment in the history of the early church. It serves as a reminder of the radical inclusivity of the Christian message and the call to transcend cultural and religious boundaries in the pursuit of God's mission. Through this account, believers are encouraged to embrace the transformative power of the Gospel and to extend hospitality and grace to all, following the example set by Peter and Simon the Tanner.