Acts 9 34

Acts 9:34 kjv

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

Acts 9:34 nkjv

And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed." Then he arose immediately.

Acts 9:34 niv

"Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up.

Acts 9:34 esv

And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose.

Acts 9:34 nlt

Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!" And he was healed instantly.

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 34 Meaning

Acts 9:34 recounts the miraculous healing of Aeneas by the apostle Peter. Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and confined to his mat for eight years, is commanded by Peter to rise and make his bed. This declaration and command are explicitly given in the name and power of Jesus Christ. The verse highlights an immediate and complete physical restoration, demonstrating Jesus's continued active power through His apostles. This event serves as a clear testimony to the divine authority bestowed upon Peter and the life-transforming power of the risen Christ.

Acts 9 34 Context

Acts chapter 9 details significant events following Saul's conversion. It shifts focus to Peter's ministry, highlighting the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem. Peter embarks on a tour, strengthening the scattered believers. The event with Aeneas occurs in Lydda, a town in the plain of Sharon. Lydda was a predominantly Jewish settlement at the time, indicating Peter's continued work within the Jewish community, while the overall narrative in Acts foreshadows the expansion to Gentiles. The healing of Aeneas serves as a powerful validation of Peter's apostleship and the divine power backing the nascent Christian movement, leading many in the area to turn to the Lord. It directly precedes Peter's equally significant ministry in Joppa, where he raises Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead.

Acts 9 34 Word analysis

• Peter: (Greek: Πέτρος - Petros) The leading apostle, named Simon but given the name "Peter" (meaning "rock") by Jesus (Matt 16:18). He is a central figure in the early chapters of Acts, demonstrating leadership and miraculous power.
• said: (Greek: εἶπεν - eipen) Indicates a verbal declaration, an authoritative statement.
• to him, "Aeneas,": (Greek: Αἰνέα - Ainea) A proper noun, identifying the specific man who was to be healed. Addressing him by name adds a personal touch to the divine intervention.
• Jesus: (Greek: Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous) The human name of Christ, meaning "Yahweh saves." It identifies the source of all spiritual and miraculous power for Christians.
• Christ: (Greek: Χριστός - Christos) Meaning "Anointed One" or "Messiah." This title emphasizes Jesus's divine appointment and office, through whom God's power is administered.
• heals: (Greek: ἰᾶταί - iatai) Present indicative, active voice. It is a declarative statement of an ongoing or immediate action. It signifies that Jesus Himself, not Peter, is the one actively performing the healing.
• you: (Greek: σε - se) Direct object, Aeneas.
• Get up: (Greek: Ἀνάστηθι - Anastēthi) An aorist imperative, a strong, direct command. It literally means "rise up" or "stand up." This word also shares the root with "resurrection" (anastasis), subtly hinting at the life-giving power involved.
• and make: (Greek: καὶ στρῶσον - kai strōson) A command to prepare or arrange something, in this context, the mat or bed.
• your bed!: (Greek: σεαυτῷ - seautō, literally "for yourself" or "your [things]"). This refers to Aeneas's sleeping mat or pallet. This instruction serves as irrefutable, tangible evidence of the complete healing and restoration of strength, allowing him to perform a common physical task.
• And immediately: (Greek: Καὶ εὐθέως - Kai eutheōs) This adverb emphasizes the instantaneity and suddenness of the miracle, underscoring its divine nature. There was no gradual recovery.
• he got up.: (Greek: ἀνέστη - anestē) Again, related to "rise" or "stand up," confirming Aeneas's obedient and instant response to the command and the complete effectiveness of the healing.

Word Groups/Phrases Analysis:

• "Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you.”": This entire phrase demonstrates the source of authority. Peter acts as a vessel, and the healing power originates entirely from Jesus Christ. This is crucial for distinguishing apostolic ministry from personal ability or magic. Peter states a fact—Jesus is the healer—before giving the command.
• "Get up and make your bed!": This command is the proof and test of the healing. It's a pragmatic and public act. The ability to make one's own bed (or roll up one's mat) implies not just standing, but having full motor function and strength, ending dependence on others for such basic tasks. This mirrored Jesus's own healing commands to paralytics (Mark 2:11-12, Luke 5:24-25, John 5:8-9), firmly linking Peter's work to Jesus's.
• "And immediately he got up.": This highlights the indisputable miraculous nature of the event. The "immediately" (eutheōs) testifies to divine power, demonstrating that the healing was absolute and instant, leaving no room for doubt or gradual recovery. It also shows Aeneas's instant obedience and confirmation of faith.

Acts 9 34 Bonus section

• The healing of Aeneas showcases the widespread nature of the early Church's impact, as Peter moves geographically from Jerusalem into the surrounding regions. This demonstrates the "power...in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" progression described in Acts 1:8.
• The detail of "eight years" underscores the chronic nature of Aeneas's affliction, contrasting with the instantaneous divine intervention, making the miracle more impactful and undeniable.
• This specific miracle directly parallels multiple healings performed by Jesus himself (e.g., the paralytic in Capernaum, Mark 2; the invalid at the Pool of Bethesda, John 5). This continuity demonstrates that the power of Jesus was actively at work through His apostles after His ascension, signifying His continued presence and validation of their ministry.
• The conversion of "all who lived in Lydda and Sharon" (Acts 9:35) highlights that divine miracles are often not ends in themselves, but powerful means by which God confirms His word and draws people to Himself. The purpose of these signs and wonders is ultimately evangelistic.

Acts 9 34 Commentary

The healing of Aeneas in Lydda is a pivotal event in Acts, serving multiple vital purposes. Firstly, it unmistakably establishes that the miraculous power wielded by Peter and the apostles is not inherent to them, but flows directly from the exalted name and authority of Jesus Christ. Peter explicitly declares, "Jesus Christ heals you," positioning himself as an instrument, not the source, of divine intervention. This underscores a foundational truth of New Testament ministry: it is Christ acting through His body, the Church. Secondly, Aeneas's eight-year paralysis emphasizes the severity of his condition, making his instantaneous and complete recovery all the more profound a miracle. The specific command to "get up and make your bed" provides tangible, irrefutable evidence of his full restoration, symbolizing renewed autonomy and dignity. This public, practical demonstration validates the miracle to onlookers. Lastly, this miracle facilitated the spread of the Gospel; as the following verse indicates, "all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord." The power of God, visibly manifested through the apostle, bore witness to the truth of the Gospel, drawing many to faith in Christ.