John Calvin 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)

When he says that Peter stayed with a tanner, we can gather from this what kind of people the church of Joppa consisted of. For if the leaders of the city had been converted to Christ, one of them would have lodged Peter, as it would have been too cruel a thing to allow an apostle of Christ to be so despised. Therefore, the Lord gathered together there, as everywhere, a church of common people, so that He might cast down the pride of the flesh.

And this also shows Peter’s humility, in that he was willing to lodge with a man of such a trade, although it seems this tanner was a merchant of some good standing, rather than one of the lowest class of workers. For Luke will later say that some there ministered to Peter, which shows that he was well and honorably treated.