Sharon, rendered Σαρῶνα in Acts 9:35, is the wide Mediterranean coastal plain between Joppa and Mount Carmel. Rich loam, seasonal rains, and abundant springs made it famous for pasturage and wildflowers and positioned it on the main north–south caravan route linking Judea, Samaria, Galilee, and Phoenicia.

Old Testament Background

• Pastoral Prosperity: Royal administrators oversaw “the herds grazing in Sharon” (1 Chronicles 27:29) and “the pasturelands of Sharon” (1 Chronicles 5:16), confirming its economic importance.
• Prophetic Contrast: Judgment turns the plain into desolation—“Sharon is like a desert” (Isaiah 33:9); grace reverses the curse—“The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon” (Isaiah 35:2).
• Eschatological Hope: “Sharon will become a pasture for flocks” (Isaiah 65:10), foreshadowing messianic restoration.
• Symbol of Beauty: “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys” (Song of Solomon 2:1) celebrates the region’s renowned blossoms.

New Testament Occurrence

Acts 9:35 situates Peter’s healing of Aeneas within Lydda and the surrounding plain: “All who lived in Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.” The report demonstrates:

1. Geographic Spread—The plain served as a conduit for the gospel toward Joppa and Caesarea.
2. Corporate Response—Luke highlights wholesale conversion, fulfilling the Old Testament vision of Sharon’s renewal.
3. Preparatory Stage—The awakening here precedes Peter’s pivotal outreach to Cornelius, linking rural revival with Gentile mission.

Spiritual and Theological Themes

• Restoration: Physical healing in Sharon previews the ecological and spiritual flourishing Isaiah foretold.
• Shepherd Motif: The Good Shepherd transforms Sharon into “pasture for flocks” (Isaiah 65:10), mirrored by the gathering of new believers.
• Beauty from Barren Ground: The oscillation between desert and bloom illustrates God’s power to revive any land or heart.
• Gospel to the Nations: The crossroads location anticipates the Acts narrative’s outward push from Jewish centers to the wider world.

Implications for Ministry Today

• Expect Harvest in Overlooked Regions—Rural plains, like ancient Sharon, can become hubs of awakening.
• Integrate Compassion and Proclamation—Visible acts of mercy, exemplified by Aeneas’s healing, open doors for mass evangelism.
• Nurture Hope—Prophecies of Sharon’s transformation encourage prayer for revival where spiritual drought prevails.
• Embrace Strategic Geography—Transport routes and population centers remain providential channels for gospel advance.

Select Scripture References

Song of Solomon 2:1; 1 Chronicles 5:16; 1 Chronicles 27:29; Isaiah 33:9; Isaiah 35:2; Isaiah 65:10; Acts 9:35