TRV
Translation
King James Version
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
Complete Jewish Bible
There he found a man named Aeneas who had lain bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.
Berean Standard Bible
There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.
American Standard Version
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.
World English Bible Messianic
There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And there he found a certaine man named Aeneas, which had kept his couch eight yeeres, and was sicke of the palsie.
Young's Literal Translation
and he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name--for eight years laid upon a couch--who was paralytic,
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In the KJVVerse 27,250 of 31,102
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Commentary on Acts 9 verses 32–35
32 ¶ And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Here we have, I. The visit Peter made to the churches that were newly planted by the dispersed preachers, Act 9:32. 1. He passed through all quarters. As an apostle, he was not to be the resident pastor of any one church, but the itinerant visitor of many churches, to confirm the doctrine of inferior preachers, to confer the Holy Ghost on those that believed, and to ordain ministers. He passed dia pantōn - among them all, who pertained to the churches of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, mentioned in the foregoing chapter. He was, like his Master, always upon the remove, and went about doing good; but still his head-quarters were at Jerusalem, for there we shall find him imprisoned, Act 12:2. He came to the saints at Lydda. This seems to be the same with Lod, a city in the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned Ch1 8:12; Ezr 2:33. The Christians are called saints, not only some particular eminent ones, as saint Peter and saint Paul, but every sincere professor of the faith of Christ. These are the saints on the earth, Psa 16:3.
II. The cure Peter wrought on Eneas, a man that had been bedridden eight years, Act 9:33. 1. His case was very deplorable: He was sick of the palsy, a dumb palsy, perhaps a dead palsy. The disease was extreme, for he kept his bed; it was inveterate, for he kept his bed eight years; and we may suppose that both he himself and all about him despaired of relief for him, and concluded upon no other than that he must still keep his bed till he removed to his grave. Christ chose such patients as this, whose disease was incurable in a course of nature, to show how desperate the case of fallen mankind was when he undertook their cure. When we were without strength, as this poor man, he sent his word to heal us. 2. His cure was very admirable, Act 9:34. (1.) Peter interested Christ in his case, and engaged him for his relief: Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole. Peter does not pretend to do it himself by any power of his own, but declares it to be Christ's act and deed, directs him to look up to Christ for help, and assures him of an immediate cure - not, "He will make thee," but, "He does make thee, whole;" and a perfect cure - not, "He makes thee easy," but "He makes thee whole." He does not express himself by way of prayer to Christ that he would make him whole, but as one having authority from Christ, and that knew his mind, he declares him made whole. (2.) He ordered him to bestir himself, to exert himself: "Arise and make thy bed, that all may see thou art thoroughly cured." Let none say that because it is Christ that by the power of his grace works all our works in us therefore we have no work, no duty, to do; for, though Jesus Christ makes thee whole, yet thou must arise and make use of the power he gives thee: "Arise, and make thy bed, to be to thee no longer a bed of sickness, but a bed of rest." (3.) Power went along with this word: he arose immediately, and no doubt very willingly made his own bed.
III. The good influence this had upon many (Act 9:35): All that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. We can scarcely think that every individual person in those countries took cognizance of the miracle, and was wrought upon by it; but many, the generality of the people in the town of Lydda and in the country of Saron, or Sharon, a fruitful plain or valley, of which it was foretold, Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, Isa 65:10. 1. They all made enquiry into the truth of the miracle, did not overlook it, but saw him that was healed, and saw that it was a miraculous cure that was wrought upon him by the power of Christ, in his name, and with a design to confirm and ratify that doctrine of Christ which was now preached to the world. 2. They all submitted to the convincing proof and evidence there was in this of the divine origin of the Christian doctrine, and turned to the Lord, to the Lord Jesus. They turned from Judaism to Christianity; they embraced the doctrine of Christ, and submitted to his ordinances, and turned themselves over to him to be ruled and taught and saved by him.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 32–35. Public domain.
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John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Acts 21
"And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately." And why did he not wait for the man's faith, and ask if he wished to be healed? In the first place, the miracle served for exhortation to many: hear then how great the gain.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Acts 21
"Arise, and make thy bed:" he does well to give a proof of the miracle: for they not only released men of their diseases, but in giving the health they gave the strength also. Moreover, at that time they had given no proofs of their power, so that the man could not reasonably have been required to show his faith, as neither in the case of the lame man did they demand it. As therefore Christ in the beginning of His miracles did not demand faith, so neither did these. For in Jerusalem indeed, as was but reasonable, the faith of the parties was first shown; "they brought out their sick into the streets, but as Peter passed by, his shadow at least might fall upon some of them"; for many miracles had been wrought there; but here this is the first that occurs. For of the miracles, some were wrought for the purpose of drawing others to faith; some for the comfort of them that believed.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Acts 21
"And Peter said unto him, Eneas," etc. But before discourse, before exhortations, he says to the lame man himself, "Jesus Christ maketh thee whole." This word he believed in any wise, and was made whole. Observe how unassuming he is: for he said not, "In the Name," but rather as a sign he narrates the miracle itself, and speaks as its Evangelist.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Acts
He found there a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years. This Aeneas signifies the human race, languishing previously in the pleasure of infirmities, but healed by the work and word of the apostles. For since the world itself is raised up by four directions, and the course of the age is varied by four yearly seasons, anyone who embraces present and fleeting joys is laid out powerless on a bed, counting, as it were, the twice four years in number. Indeed, the bed itself is sloth, where the sick and weak mind rests, that is, in the pleasure of the body and all worldly delight.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Acts 9:33 introduces Aeneas, a man in Lydda who had been bedridden for eight years due to paralysis, setting the stage for a powerful demonstration of divine healing through the Apostle Peter. This verse highlights the severe and prolonged nature of Aeneas's suffering, underscoring the human impossibility of his recovery and preparing the reader for a miraculous intervention that would validate the apostolic ministry and the truth of the Gospel.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs Realism by providing specific, tangible details about Aeneas's condition ("kept his bed eight years," "sick of the palsy"), which grounds the narrative in a relatable human experience of suffering. This detailed description creates a sense of Pathos, evoking sympathy for Aeneas and highlighting the severity of his plight, thereby amplifying the impact of the miracle that follows. The mention of his long-term suffering also serves as Foreshadowing, building anticipation for a powerful divine intervention that will defy human limitations. The contrast between Aeneas's chronic illness and Peter's arrival implicitly sets up a dramatic tension that will be resolved by the demonstration of God's healing power.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 9:33, while seemingly a simple descriptive verse, profoundly connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's active involvement in human suffering and His power to restore. It echoes the compassionate ministry of Jesus, who frequently healed the paralyzed and infirm, demonstrating His divine authority over sickness and sin. This verse also affirms the continuity of God's power through His chosen instruments, showing that the miraculous signs accompanying the Gospel message were not limited to Jesus's earthly ministry but continued through His apostles, validating their message and mission. The healing of Aeneas, therefore, is not merely an isolated event but a testament to God's enduring desire to bring wholeness—physical and spiritual—to humanity, and His readiness to use His servants to accomplish His purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 9:33 serves as a powerful reminder that God sees and cares for those in their deepest suffering, even when their affliction has been long-standing and seemingly hopeless. Aeneas's eight years of paralysis represent the chronic, debilitating struggles many face—whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or relational. This verse encourages us to recognize that no condition is beyond God's reach or too entrenched for His transformative power. It calls believers to cultivate a heart of compassion, actively seeking out and ministering to those who are suffering, just as Peter did. Furthermore, it instills hope, reminding us that God can use ordinary individuals, empowered by His Spirit, to bring about extraordinary change and healing in the lives of others, thereby demonstrating His love and validating His truth to a watching world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "sick of the palsy" mean in modern terms?
Answer: "Sick of the palsy" refers to a condition of paralysis or severe neurological impairment, often resulting from a stroke, spinal cord injury, or other debilitating disease that affects motor function. In Aeneas's case, it meant he was completely incapacitated and confined to his bed, unable to move or care for himself for eight years. This condition would be diagnosed today as a severe form of paralysis.
Why is the detail "eight years" significant?
Answer: The detail "eight years" is highly significant because it emphasizes the chronic, long-term, and seemingly incurable nature of Aeneas's condition. It highlights that this was not a temporary illness but a profound, debilitating affliction that had lasted for a substantial period of his life. This duration underscores the human impossibility of his recovery, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of the healing performed by Peter and demonstrating the extraordinary power of God at work, as seen in the immediate and complete healing described in Acts 9:34.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The healing of Aeneas in Acts 9:33-34, though performed by Peter, is a profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Peter's authority and power to heal did not originate from himself but flowed directly from Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Peter explicitly states, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you!" in Acts 9:34, making it clear that Christ is the true source of all healing and restoration. This miracle mirrors the many instances of Jesus healing paralytics during His earthly ministry, such as the man let down through the roof in Mark 2:1-12, demonstrating that Christ's power continues to operate through His body, the church, even after His ascension. Aeneas's physical healing points to the greater spiritual healing that Christ offers to all humanity—freedom from the paralysis of sin and spiritual death, bringing new life and the ability to "rise and walk" in faith and obedience, as promised in passages like Ephesians 2:1-5. Thus, this account serves as a powerful testament to the ongoing, life-transforming power of Jesus Christ, who is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).