
Simon the Leper from Bethany (Matthew 26:6; Mark 14:3) and Simon the Tanner from Joppa (Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32) are unrelated, yet both suffered from a similar problem. A leper was condemned by the law (Leviticus 13:3). He was unclean. Similarly, a leather tanner, one who was constantly touching the remains of dead animals, was condemned by the law (Leviticus 11:40). He was unclean, unfit to worship a Holy God in His Holy Temple.
The Bible introduces Simon the Tanner after Tabitha was raised to life. Peter “knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up… This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with Simon, a leather tanner” (Acts 9:40–43).
There is no record of the Tanner prior to this, but I imagine that he came to saving faith as Peter proclaimed God’s amazing grace. Maybe his conversion occurred a few years earlier at Pentecost (Acts 2:41), or possibly much more recently. When God raised the paralyzed Aeneas, “all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord”(Acts 9:35). Lydda was a small community on the Plain of Sharon, lowlands reaching to Joppa on the Mediterranean coast. Regardless, Simon must have hospitably invited the Apostle to lodge in his home.
I wonder how it happened. “Hey Peter, I have a spare bedroom, and my wife is a great cook. Please come stay with us!”
How did Peter respond? Did he gulp, studder, and say, “I’ll think about it”? Did Peter hesitate, thinking about associating with an unclean tanner? Did God remind Peter of His purifying grace? Did Peter hear God whisper, “What God has made clean, do not call impure” (Acts 10:15)?
Simon the Leper, from Bethany, was cleansed by God’s saving and purifying grace.
Simon the Tanner, from Joppa, was cleansed by God’s saving and purifying grace.
Simon Peter, the fisherman from Capernaum, was too.
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).

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