Acts 9:34
"Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and put away your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up,
Peter said to him
The Apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the speaker here. His role as a leader in the early church is significant, as he often acts as a spokesperson and performs miracles in Jesus' name. The Greek word for "said" (εἶπεν) indicates a direct and authoritative communication, reflecting Peter's confidence and faith in the power of Christ. Historically, Peter's ministry was marked by boldness and miraculous signs, which served to authenticate the message of the Gospel.

Aeneas
Aeneas is the recipient of Peter's words. His name, of Greek origin, means "praiseworthy" or "laudable." Although little is known about Aeneas outside of this passage, his condition and subsequent healing serve as a testament to the power of Jesus Christ working through His apostles. The mention of his name personalizes the miracle, emphasizing that God's power reaches individuals in their specific circumstances.

Jesus Christ heals you
This phrase is central to the passage, highlighting the source of the healing power. The Greek word for "heals" (ἰᾶται) is in the present tense, indicating an immediate and ongoing action. Peter attributes the miracle directly to Jesus Christ, affirming the belief that Jesus continues to work through His followers even after His ascension. This statement underscores the Christian doctrine that all healing and restoration come from Christ, who is the ultimate healer of both physical and spiritual ailments.

Get up
The command "get up" (ἀνάστηθι) is a call to action, reflecting the transformative power of Christ's healing. It echoes the resurrection theme prevalent in the New Testament, where rising up often symbolizes new life and renewal. In the context of Aeneas, who had been bedridden, this command signifies a return to wholeness and the ability to participate fully in life and community.

and roll up your mat
This phrase signifies a complete and practical restoration. The act of rolling up the mat (στρῶσον σεαυτῷ) is symbolic of leaving behind the old life of infirmity and embracing a new, healed existence. In the cultural context, mats were used by the sick and disabled, so rolling it up would be a public declaration of healing. This action also serves as a testimony to others of the miracle that has occurred, encouraging faith in those who witness it.

Immediately Aeneas got up
The immediacy of Aeneas' response (παραχρῆμα ἀνέστη) highlights the completeness and power of the miracle. The word "immediately" underscores the effectiveness of Christ's healing power, leaving no room for doubt or delay. Aeneas' obedience and the instantaneous nature of his healing serve as a powerful witness to the early Christian community and beyond, demonstrating the reality of Jesus' continued work through His apostles.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
One of Jesus' twelve apostles, a key leader in the early Christian church, known for his boldness and faith.

2. Aeneas
A man who had been bedridden for eight years due to paralysis, living in Lydda.

3. Lydda
A town in the region of Judea, where Peter was traveling and performing miracles in the name of Jesus.

4. Healing
The miraculous event where Aeneas is healed by the power of Jesus Christ through Peter's declaration.

5. Jesus Christ
The central figure of Christianity, whose power and authority are invoked by Peter to perform the healing.
Teaching Points
The Authority of Jesus' Name
Peter's declaration, "Jesus Christ heals you," underscores the authority and power inherent in Jesus' name. Believers today can trust in the same power for healing and transformation.

Faith and Obedience
Aeneas' immediate response to Peter's command to "get up" reflects faith and obedience. Our faith should lead to action, trusting in God's promises and commands.

The Role of the Church in Healing
The early church was marked by signs and wonders, including healing. The modern church is called to pray for and support those in need of healing, both physically and spiritually.

Miracles as a Testimony
The healing of Aeneas served as a testimony to the power of Jesus, leading many to faith. Our lives and actions should similarly point others to Christ.

Dependence on the Holy Spirit
Peter's ministry was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to seek the Spirit's guidance and empowerment in their daily walk and ministry.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Peter's use of Jesus' name in healing Aeneas reflect the authority given to believers today?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate faith and obedience in our daily lives, similar to Aeneas' response?

3. How can the church today actively participate in the ministry of healing, both physically and spiritually?

4. What are some practical ways we can ensure our actions and lives serve as a testimony to the power of Jesus?

5. How can we cultivate a greater dependence on the Holy Spirit in our personal and communal faith journeys?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 3:6
Peter heals a lame man at the temple gate, emphasizing the power of Jesus' name in performing miracles.

John 14:12-14
Jesus promises that those who believe in Him will do the works He has done, and even greater works, through faith and prayer.

James 5:14-15
Encourages the practice of praying for the sick, highlighting the power of faith and prayer in healing.

Matthew 9:6
Jesus heals a paralytic, demonstrating His authority to forgive sins and heal, which parallels Peter's healing of Aeneas.

Mark 16:17-18
Jesus speaks of signs that will accompany believers, including healing the sick, which is evident in Peter's ministry.
A Bodily Absent Christ May be a Spiritually Present PowerR. Tuck Acts 9:34
Copies of Christ's MannerAlexander MaclarenActs 9:34
Works of PeaceE. Johnson Acts 9:31-43
One Specimen of Christian ActivityP.C. Barker Acts 9:32-35
Wonderful Ministry of the Apostle PeterR.A. Redford Acts 9:32-35
AeneasC. H. Spurgeon.Acts 9:32-43
LyddaDean Plumptre.Acts 9:32-43
Peter At LyddaD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 9:32-43
Peter Working MiraclesG. C. Heckman, D. D.Acts 9:32-43
Peter Working MiraclesSermons by the Monday ClubActs 9:32-43
Summarised ServiceJ. Parker, D. D.Acts 9:32-43
The Miraculous and the SupernaturalW. Clarkson Acts 9:32-43
Working Like ChristA. Maclaren, D. D.Acts 9:32-43
People
Aeneas, Ananias, Barnabas, Dorcas, Grecians, Judas, Lud, Peter, Saul, Simon, Tabitha
Places
Azotus, Caesarea, Damascus, Galilee, Jerusalem, Joppa, Judea, Lydda, Samaria, Sharon, Straight Street, Tarsus
Topics
Aeneas, Aene'as, Arise, Bed, Care, Christ, Couch, Cures, Eneas, Got, Heal, Healeth, Heals, Immediately, Makes, Maketh, Mat, Peter, Rise, Rose, Spread, Straight, Straightway, Thyself
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 9:34

     5114   Peter, apostle
     5229   bed
     5333   healing

Acts 9:32-35

     6735   repentance, examples

Acts 9:33-34

     1416   miracles, nature of
     5162   lameness

Acts 9:33-35

     1418   miracles, responses
     8427   evangelism, kinds of

Library
'This Way'
'Any of this way.'--ACTS ix. 2 The name of 'Christian' was not applied to themselves by the followers of Jesus before the completion of the New Testament. There were other names in currency before that designation--which owed its origin to the scoffing wits of Antioch--was accepted by the Church. They called themselves 'disciples,' 'believers, 'saints,' 'brethren,' as if feeling about for a title. Here is a name that had obtained currency for a while, and was afterwards disused. We find it five times
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

A Bird's-Eye view of the Early Church
'So the Church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, was multiplied.'--ACTS ix. 31 (R.V.). A man climbing a hill stops every now and then to take breath and look about him; and in the earlier part of this Book of the Acts of the Apostles there are a number of such landing-places where the writer suspends the course of his narrative, in order to give a general notion of the condition of the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Grace Triumphant
'And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them hound unto Jerusalem. 3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? 5.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Copies of Christ's Manner
'And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.... 40. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and, turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise.--ACTS ix. 34, 40. I have put these two miracles together, not only because they were closely connected in time and place, but because they have a very remarkable and instructive feature in common. They are both evidently moulded upon Christ's miracles; are distinct imitations of what Peter had
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
Acts ix. 6. Acts ix. 6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do. THESE are the words of Saul, who also is called Paul, (Acts xiii. 9,) when he was stricken to the ground as he was going to Damascus; and any one who had looked upon him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one of the most miserable creatures that ever lived upon earth, and would have expected
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Paul's First Prayer
First, our text was an announcement; "Behold, he prayeth." Secondly, it was an argument; "For, behold, he prayeth." Then, to conclude, we will try to make an application of our text to your hearts. Though application is the work of God alone, we will trust that he will be pleased to make that application while the word is preached this morning. I. First, here was AN ANNOUNCEMENT; "Go to the house of Saul of Tarsus; for behold, he prayeth." Without any preface, let me say, that this was the announcement
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
"Go and inquire for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth."--ACTS ix. 11. "For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting."--1 TIM. i. 16. God took His own Son, and made Him our Example and our Pattern. It sometimes is as if the power of Christ's example is lost in the thought that He, in whom is no sin, is not man as we are. Our Lord took Paul, a man
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."--Prov. 22:6. I SUPPOSE that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so? But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

"To Me to Live is Christ"
PHILIPPIANS i. 21. In connection with ACTS ix. 1--18. THERE is no more significant sign of the days in which we live than the interest society seems to be taking in the biographies of great men. Almost all the more popular recent books, for instance--the books which every one is reading and has to read--come under the category of biography; and, to meet the demand, two or three times in each season the market has to be supplied with the lives, in minute detail, of men who but for this would perhaps
Henry Drummond—The Ideal Life

The Future of Christ's Kingdom First Group of Epistles the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians Introduction to the Epistles of Paul +Epistolary Writings. + --The
STUDY VII THE FUTURE OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM FIRST GROUP OF EPISTLES THE FIRST AND SECOND EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISTLES OF PAUL +Epistolary Writings.+--The New Testament is composed of twenty-seven books, twenty-one of which are Epistles. Of this latter number thirteen are ascribed to Paul. It is thus seen how largely the New Testament is made up of Epistles and how many of these are attributed to the Great Apostle. In the letters of men of great prominence and power of any
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The New Testament Text and Its History.
The history of the New Testament text naturally falls into two main divisions, that of the manuscript text, and that of the printed text. A few remarks will be added on the principles of textual criticism. See PLATES at the beginning of this book. [Transcriber's Note: Transcriptions of the Plates are at the end of this e-book.] I. THE MANUSCRIPT TEXT. 1. The preservation of the primitive text of the gospels from all essential corruptions, additions, and mutilations has already been shown
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Sharon. Caphar Lodim. The Village of those of Lydda.
Between Lydda and the sea, a spacious valley runs out, here and there widely spreading itself, and sprinkled with villages. The holy page of the New Testament [Acts 9:35] calls it Saron: and that of the Old calls the whole, perhaps, or some part of it, 'the plain of Ono,' Nehemiah 6:2, 11:35; 1 Chronicles 8:12... The wine of Sharon is of great fame, with which they mixed two parts water: and remarkable is that they say concerning the houses of Sharon. R. Lazar saith, "He that builds a brick house
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Caphar Tebi.
And this village neighboured upon Lydda, situate on the east of it. "R. Eleazar had a vineyard of four years' growth; on the east of Lydda, near Caphar Tebi." Of it there is this mention also:-- "They sometime brought a chest full of bones from Caphar Tebi, and they placed it openly in the entrance to Lydda. Tudrus the physician and the rest of the physicians go forth"--(namely, that they might judge, whether they were the bones of men or no; and thereby, whether they were to be esteemed clean or
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Sources and Literature on St. Paul and his Work.
I. Sources. 1. The authentic sources: The Epistles of Paul, and the Acts of the Apostles 9:1-30 and 13 to 28. Of the Epistles of Paul the four most important Galatians, Romans, two Corinthians--are universally acknowledged as genuine even by the most exacting critics; the Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians are admitted by nearly all critics; the Pastoral Epistles, especially First Timothy, and Titus, are more or less disputed, but even they bear the stamp of Paul's genius. On the coincidences
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

The Knight of God
Heinrich Suso Acts ix. 16 As the song of him who singeth, Playing on a harp of gold, So to me was Christ's evangel In the days of old. Thus across the lake of Constance Went I forth to preach His Word, And beside me sat the squire Of a noble Lord. None in all the ship so knightly, None so bravely dight as he-- "Tell me," I besought, "thine errand Yonder o'er the sea." "I go forth," he said, "to gather Many a knight and noble bold; They shall tilt at joust and tourney, Whilst fair eyes behold.
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Such, we May Believe, was that John the Monk...
21. Such, we may believe, was that John the Monk, whom the elder Theodosius, the Emperor, consulted concerning the issue of the civil war: seeing he had also the gift of prophecy. For that not each several person has a several one of those gifts, but that one man may have more gifts than one, I make no question. This John, then, when once a certain most religious woman desired to see him, and to obtain this did through her husband make vehement entreaty, refused indeed this request because he had
St. Augustine—On Care to Be Had for the Dead.

Whether any Preparation and Disposition for Grace is Required on Man's Part?
Objection 1: It would seem that no preparation or disposition for grace is required on man's part, since, as the Apostle says (Rom. 4:4), "To him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt." Now a man's preparation by free-will can only be through some operation. Hence it would do away with the notion of grace. Objection 2: Further, whoever is going on sinning, is not preparing himself to have grace. But to some who are going on sinning grace is given, as is
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Form of this Sacrament Is: "I Absolve Thee"?
Objection 1: It would seem that the form of this sacrament is not: "I absolve thee." Because the forms of the sacraments are received from Christ's institution and the Church's custom. But we do not read that Christ instituted this form. Nor is it in common use; in fact in certain absolutions which are given publicly in church (e.g. at Prime and Compline and on Maundy Thursday), absolution is given not in the indicative form by saying: "I absolve thee," but In the deprecatory form, by saying: "May
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether one Ought to Dispute with Unbelievers in Public?
Objection 1: It would seem that one ought not to dispute with unbelievers in public. For the Apostle says (2 Tim. 2:14): "Contend not in words, for it is to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers." But it is impossible to dispute with unbelievers publicly without contending in words. Therefore one ought not to dispute publicly with unbelievers. Objection 2: Further, the law of Martianus Augustus confirmed by the canons [*De Sum. Trin. Cod. lib. i, leg. Nemo] expresses itself thus: "It is
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Beginning of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Coin of Thessalonica] Turn to the list of books given in the beginning of your New Testament. You will see that first come the four Gospels, or glimpses of the Saviour's life given by four different writers. Then follows the Acts of the Apostles, and, lastly, after the twenty-one epistles, the volume ends with the Revelation. Now this is not the order in which the books were written--they are only arranged like this for our convenience. The first words of the New Testament
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
1. OLD TESTAMENT. 2. NEW TESTAMENT. 3. THE CHURCH; CHRISTENDOM; KINGDOM. II. THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH. 1. IN PROPHECY AND PROMISE. 2. HISTORICALLY FOUNDED. III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH. Conditions of Entrance; Characteristics. 1. REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM. 2. FAITH IN THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST. 3. REGENERATION. 4. PUBLIC CONFESSION OF CHRIST--BAPTISM. 5. ADHERENCE TO THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE. 6. CHARACTERISTICS. IV. FIGURES UNDER WHICH THE CHURCH IS PRESENTED. 1. THE BODY OF CHRIST. 2. THE TEMPLE OF
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

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