What Happened at Joppa in the Bible?
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Wonders of the world find their way into our imaginations even if we’ve never seen them. Biblical geography is similar. Few of us may ever walk through the ancient city of Joppa in the Bible, but certainly the more real that city becomes to us, the greater we comprehend what happened in the Bible at Joppa.
Places such as the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and the Pacific Ocean are breathtaking in our mind’s eye. But to stand in the dizzying grandeur of the Canyons, feel the powerful waterfall spray, or gaze at the endless waters changes our perception of them.
Much more than intangible images in our minds, we partake of their reality and envision their substance. As we learn more about the old city of Joppa, it becomes much more real to us, with stone houses, narrow streets, and ships anchored in its harbor. We'll explore more about Joppa in this article and discover what happened there in biblical history.
Where Was Joppa in the Bible?
Joppa was located about 40 miles northwest of Jerusalem. It was once the most important seaport in Judea and is still used as one of the ports in that area. In fact, you may have heard about Joppa recently in the news without recognizing it as the same Joppa mentioned in the Bible. Today, it is called Jaffa and is part of the city of Tel-Aviv’s southern region.
Its name means “beauty,” perhaps for its situation high above the eastern Mediterranean coast, with a magnificent view of the sea. Below its cliffs, low ledges of rock provide a welcoming natural harbor for sailors. Today, it is a favorite for local fishing.
One of the oldest ports in the world, Jaffa was a gateway for pilgrims, traders, and migrants headed to Jerusalem and other cities. Throughout its long history, Joppa experienced attacks, pillages, fire, destruction, and re-construction. What happened in Joppa in the Bible is depicted in several stories which give us an idea of what Joppa was like.
Joppa in the Story of Jonah
Joppa holds a significant role in the story of Jonah. The Old Testament account confirms Joppa as an ancient port city, for it was there that Jonah found the ship which took him in the opposite direction from God’s calling.
“But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.” (Jonah 1:3 ESV)
Jonah’s attempt to run from God highlights his disobedience but also shows us an important detail: it confirms Joppa to be a harbor bustling with ships and merchandise. Anchored there, they sailed with their wares to other ports, across waters often unfriendly and dangerous.
At Joppa, Jonah paid the fee and boarded what would be an epic and dreadful voyage. A storm threatened to sink the ship, and in the crisis, Jonah took the blame for the ship’s peril.
God had called Jonah to go proclaim Him to the city of Ninevah. But Jonah had refused. At Jonah’s urging, sailors threw him overboard. A big fish, chosen by God, swallowed him. Jonah suffered in the fish three days. But, in the belly of that fish, he changed his mind. He decided to follow God to Nineveh.
Joppa in the Apostle Peter’s Ministry
In the book of Acts, Tabitha, known also as Dorcas, lived in Joppa. She followed Jesus and was known for her charity and kindness in service to others. The Bible recounts how Tabitha became ill and died.
At that time, the Apostle Peter moved about teaching and preaching the message of Jesus in towns around Joppa. He was at a nearby town called Lydda. There, a man who could not walk was healed through Peter’s ministry.
The news spread. Disciples at Joppa heard Peter was only a distance of some eleven miles away. Two of them hurried to find him. The men urged Peter to come immediately to Joppa and to the home of Tabitha.
Peter entered the grieving household in Joppa. People had gathered, showing articles of clothing Tabitha had made, weeping, and telling stories of her service to others.
“But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.” (Acts 9:40 ESV)
Many in Joppa came to believe in Jesus after hearing and seeing Tabitha alive again. Peter stayed in Joppa for a while after that. He found housing with Simon, a tanner.
And from there, the story of Joppa takes an interesting turn.
In Acts 10, Peter is called away from Joppa. In Caesarea, a town some 30 miles north of Joppa, an angel appeared to a centurion named Cornelius. The angel directed Cornelius to send for a man named Peter who lived with Simon, a tanner in Joppa, whose “house is by the sea.” (Acts 10:6)
Meanwhile back in Joppa, Peter also had a vision. As he had been praying on the housetop, Jesus showed Peter that He had come not just for the Jewish people, but also for the Gentiles. As the vision faded, a knock sounded on his door below.
“And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” Acts 10:19-20 ESV
The following day, Peter, taking with him some men from Joppa, left for Caesarea. There the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out onto the Gentiles as Cornelius and others who heard the gospel of Jesus believed. The Caesareans were baptized. Peter, along with the six men who had accompanied him from Joppa, remained there for several days. (Acts 10: 48; 11:12)
What Are Other Biblical Mentions of Joppa?
Other mentions of Joppa in the Bible include Joshua 19:46, counting it as part of the territory of the tribe of Dan.
During Solomon's reign, the port of Joppa received imported materials for building the temple. Solomon forged an agreement with Hiram, king of Tyre, for him to send “cedar, cypress, and algum timber from Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon.” (2 Chronicles 2:8 ESV)
“And we will cut whatever timber you need from Lebanon and bring it to you in rafts by sea to Joppa, so that you may take it up to Jerusalem.” (2 Chronicles 2:16 ESV)
Again, Joppa’s port is referred to when Ezra speaks of bringing wood for the temple’s rebuilding in Ezra 3:7.
“So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from Cyrus king of Persia.” (Ezra 3:7 ESV)
Conclusion: The Significance of Joppa
The Bible may seem full of strange towns and cities with names and people unfamiliar to us. Joppa is just one city mentioned in the Bible. But what happened in Joppa in the Bible is significant.
When we read God’s Word, there are bridges that give us clues to better understand the context of what we read. Geography is one of them.
Perhaps, if you are anything like me, you might tend to skim over those references of geography, time, and places. But their mention is divinely purposed. Joppa exemplifies that, for as we become better acquainted with the city, we see Joppa pulsing with activities and life.
By digging into a deeper picture of where things happened in the Bible, we gain a clearer picture of how they happened. This helps us step into the lives and histories of those who experienced them. And as we do, not only does God’s Word become more alive, but it also enriches our understanding of its application for us now.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Jui-Chi Chan
Her love for pasta and all things Italian stems from years of ministry abroad. She’d love to tell you about it over a steaming cup of cappuccino. Connect with Sylvia on her blog, When the House is Quiet, her Facebook page, or Twitter.