Acts 14:10

KJV

Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

KJV (with Strong's)

Said {G2036} with a loud {G3173} voice {G5456}, Stand {G450} upright {G3717} on {G1909} thy {G4675} feet {G4228}. And {G2532} he leaped {G242} and {G2532} walked {G4043}.

Complete Jewish Bible

said with a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” He jumped up and began to walk.

Berean Standard Bible

In a loud voice Paul called out, “Stand up on your feet!” And the man jumped up and began to walk.

American Standard Version

said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 14:10 marks a dramatic turning point in Paul's first missionary journey in Lystra, where he miraculously heals a man crippled from birth. This verse captures the authoritative command given by Paul, empowered by God, and the instantaneous, vigorous response of the man, who immediately stands, leaps, and walks. This public miracle serves as a powerful divine confirmation of the Gospel message preached by Paul and Barnabas, demonstrating God's active presence and validating the apostles' ministry before a pagan audience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a brief but potent narrative segment (Acts 14:8-10) within Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey. Having fled persecution in Iconium, they arrive in Lystra, a city in Lycaonia. The narrative immediately preceding this verse introduces the lame man, "impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked" [Acts 14:8](/acts/14-8 "Acts 14:8 - The Lame Man of Lystra"). Paul, observing the man intently, discerns that he "had faith to be healed" [Acts 14:9](/acts/14-9 "Acts 14:9 - Paul Discerning Faith"). The healing itself in verse 10 then sets the stage for the dramatic and problematic reaction of the Lystran crowd, who, witnessing the miracle, attempt to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods, leading to a significant theological challenge for the apostles in the subsequent verses [Acts 14:11-18](/acts/14-11-18 "Acts 14:11-18 - Paul and Barnabas Refuse Worship").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Lystra was a Roman colony, though it retained much of its native Lycaonian culture and language, which the crowd later speaks [Acts 14:11](/acts/14-11 "Acts 14:11 - The Lycaonian Language"). As a Roman colony, it would have had some Roman administrative structures and perhaps a small Jewish population, though the narrative suggests a predominantly Gentile audience. The Lycaonians were polytheistic, with strong traditions of local deities, including Zeus and Hermes, whom they quickly identify Paul and Barnabas with after the miracle. This propensity for deifying powerful figures or those performing extraordinary feats was common in the Greco-Roman world, as seen in various myths and historical accounts. The immediate attempt to offer sacrifices highlights the cultural readiness to attribute divine status to those demonstrating supernatural power, contrasting sharply with the apostles' monotheistic message.
* **Key Themes:** This miracle powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Power and Authority** accompanying the apostolic message; Paul's command is not a mere suggestion but an authoritative declaration, backed by the power of God, resulting in immediate and complete healing. Secondly, it highlights **Faith as a Catalyst** for divine intervention, as Paul perceives the man's receptive faith before issuing the command, illustrating that while healing is God's work, human faith can be a crucial element in receiving it, as also seen in the healing of the paralytic in [Acts 9:34](/acts/9-34 "Acts 9:34 - Aeneas Healed by Peter"). Thirdly, the miracle serves as a **Confirmation of the Gospel**, providing undeniable proof of God's active work through His servants, validating their message and attracting attention to the new covenant realities, much like the signs and wonders that accompanied the early church's ministry from its inception in [Acts 2:43](/acts/2-43 "Acts 2:43 - Signs and Wonders in the Early Church"). Finally, the **Immediate and Complete Healing** underscores God's transformative power, demonstrating His capacity to restore what was broken from birth, echoing the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate by Peter in [Acts 3:6-8](/acts/3-6-8 "Acts 3:6-8 - Healing at the Beautiful Gate").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Said (Greek, _épō'_):** From G2036, a primary verb meaning "to speak or say (by word or writing)." In this context, it signifies Paul's authoritative verbal declaration, not merely a suggestion or a request. The word choice emphasizes the direct, declarative nature of his command, indicating that the healing was a result of a spoken word, empowered by divine authority, much like God's creative acts in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account").
* **Upright (Greek, _orthós'_):** From G3717, meaning "right (as rising), i.e. (perpendicularly) erect (figuratively, honest), or (horizontally) level or direct." Here, it specifically denotes the physical posture of standing straight, indicating a complete restoration of the man's ability to bear weight and stand erect, a feat impossible for someone crippled from birth without divine intervention. It conveys the idea of full physical integrity.
* **Leaped (Greek, _hállomai'_):** From G242, a primary verb meaning "to jump; figuratively, to gush." This vivid verb describes the man's immediate, spontaneous, and vigorous reaction to being healed. It's not just a hesitant step but an exuberant, powerful jump, demonstrating complete and joyful restoration of strength and mobility, leaving no doubt about the miraculous nature of his recovery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Said with a loud voice":** This phrase emphasizes the public and authoritative nature of Paul's command. The "loud voice" (Greek: _phōnē megalē_) ensured that all present could hear and witness the declaration, underscoring the transparency and undeniable nature of the miracle about to unfold. It signals a divine imperative rather than a human suggestion.
* **"Stand upright on thy feet.":** This is the direct, powerful command issued by Paul. The instruction to "stand upright" directly addresses the man's lifelong inability, demanding a physical action that was previously impossible. It is a command that carries the weight of divine authority, demonstrating that the power to heal resided not in Paul himself, but in the God he served.
* **"And he leaped and walked.":** This describes the immediate and complete response of the healed man. The two verbs, "leaped" (ἥλατο, _hēlato_) and "walked" (περιεπάτει, _periepatē_), convey the instantaneous and vigorous nature of his recovery. "Leaped" signifies an exuberant, full-bodied movement, while "walked" indicates sustained mobility. This spontaneous action provided undeniable proof of the miracle to all witnesses, confirming the divine power at work.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 14:10 employs several literary devices to heighten the impact of the miracle. **Direct Speech** is prominently used, as Paul's authoritative command, "Stand upright on thy feet," is quoted verbatim, giving the reader a sense of immediacy and power. This direct address contrasts sharply with the man's lifelong inability, creating a dramatic effect. The immediate and vigorous response of the man, described by the verbs "leaped" and "walked," employs **Vivid Imagery** and **Action Verbs**, painting a clear and dynamic picture of his complete restoration. This instantaneous transformation serves as a powerful **Confirmation** of Paul's message, as the physical reality of the healing validates the spiritual truth being proclaimed. Furthermore, the scene sets up a powerful **Dramatic Irony**, as the crowd's subsequent attempt to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods, though misguided, underscores the undeniable power they witnessed, highlighting the human tendency to misinterpret divine acts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The healing of the lame man in Lystra powerfully demonstrates God's active involvement in human affairs, confirming His word through miraculous signs. This event underscores that the Gospel is not merely a philosophical concept but a living, dynamic power that transforms lives, both spiritually and physically. It showcases God's compassion for the afflicted and His willingness to manifest His glory in tangible ways to draw people to Himself. The miracle serves as a public validation of the apostles' authority and the truth of their message, echoing the signs that accompanied Jesus's own ministry and the early church's expansion. It reveals that God's power is not limited by human infirmity or the constraints of natural law, but operates sovereignly to achieve His redemptive purposes.

* [Matthew 9:6-8](/matthew/9-6-8 "Matthew 9:6-6 - Jesus Heals the Paralytic")
* [Luke 5:24-25](/luke/5-24-25 "Luke 5:24-25 - Jesus Heals the Paralytic")
* [Acts 3:6-8](/acts/3-6-8 "Acts 3:6-8 - Peter Heals the Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 14:10 stands as a profound reminder of God's limitless power and His ongoing desire to bring wholeness and restoration. For believers today, this passage encourages a bold and confident proclamation of the Gospel, trusting that God's power accompanies His word, not always in physical miracles, but certainly in spiritual transformation. It challenges us to cultivate a faith that expects God to work in extraordinary ways, whether in healing physical ailments, mending emotional wounds, or bringing spiritual freedom. While we do not command healing in the same apostolic manner, we are called to pray with fervent faith, believing that God is able to do "far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" [Ephesians 3:20](/ephesians/3-20 "Ephesians 3:20 - God's Abundant Power"). Ultimately, this miracle directs our gaze to God as the ultimate source of all power and healing, reminding us that any manifestation of His power is intended to glorify Him and draw others into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's discernment of the man's faith (Acts 14:9) inform our understanding of prayer for healing today?**
* **In what ways can we, like Paul, speak God's truth with conviction and authority in our contemporary contexts, even without miraculous signs?**
* **How does the Lystran crowd's reaction to the miracle (Acts 14:11-18) caution us against misplacing our focus or worship?**
* **What "crippling" areas in our own lives or in our communities might God desire to bring immediate and complete restoration to?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the man being "crippled from his mother's womb"?**

Answer: The detail that the man was "crippled from his mother's womb" [Acts 14:8](/acts/14-8 "Acts 14:8 - The Lame Man of Lystra") is highly significant because it emphasizes the undeniable and profound nature of the miracle. It means his condition was congenital, lifelong, and presumably medically incurable by human means. This pre-existing, severe, and permanent disability made his instantaneous healing all the more astonishing and impossible to attribute to natural causes, deception, or psychosomatic factors. It served as irrefutable proof to the eyewitnesses that divine power, not human ability, was at work, thereby validating the apostles' message and demonstrating the authenticity of the Gospel they proclaimed. It echoes similar congenital healings performed by Jesus, such as the man born blind in [John 9:1-7](/john/9-1-7 "John 9:1-7 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind"), which also served as powerful signs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of the lame man in Acts 14:10, though performed by Paul, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the quintessential healer, whose earthly ministry was characterized by countless acts of compassion and power, restoring the lame, the blind, and the sick, demonstrating His divine authority over disease and infirmity (e.g., [Matthew 4:23-24](/matthew/4-23-24 "Matthew 4:23-24 - Jesus Heals Many")). The physical restoration of the lame man in Lystra foreshadows the spiritual restoration that Christ offers to all humanity. Just as the man was crippled from birth and unable to walk, humanity is spiritually crippled by sin, unable to walk in righteousness or approach God [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). Through His atoning death and resurrection, Jesus provides the ultimate healing, enabling those who were spiritually dead to "stand upright" in new life and "walk" in the Spirit [Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ"); [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life"). Paul's command, empowered by the Holy Spirit, mirrors Christ's own authoritative word that brings life and wholeness, pointing to the greater spiritual miracle of regeneration and the future bodily resurrection that Christ guarantees for His followers [1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ, the Firstfruits").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 35:6

Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

John 5:8

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

John 5:9

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

John 14:12

¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Acts 9:33

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

Acts 9:34

And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

Acts 3:6

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.