Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 9:43

"And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner." — Acts 9:43 (ASV)

Many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.—The tanner's occupation, either because it brought the risk of ceremonial defilement through contact with the carcasses and hides of dead animals, or because it was generally a repulsive and offensive business, was one from which stricter Jews generally shrank. The Rabbis held that if a tanner about to marry concealed his occupation from his intended wife, the concealment constituted a fraud that invalidated the contract (Schöttgen, Hor. Heb., in loc.). By lodging with someone in this occupation, Peter must accordingly have been taking a step towards greater freedom.

He had learned, partially at least, the lesson his Master had taught concerning what alone can bring real defilement (Mark 7:17–23), and was thus being trained for fuller enlightenment. We have no data for determining the length of time implied in the “many days.” In Acts 9:23, as we have seen, the words covered a period of nearly three years.