New International VersionIn Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked.
New Living TranslationWhile they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting
English Standard VersionNow at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.
Berean Standard BibleIn Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked.
Berean Literal BibleAnd in Lystra a certain man was sitting, crippled in the feet, lame from the womb of his mother, who had never walked.
King James BibleAnd there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
New King James VersionAnd in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
New American Standard BibleIn Lystra a man was sitting whose feet were incapacitated. He had been disabled from his mother’s womb, and had never walked.
NASB 1995At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
NASB 1977And at Lystra there was sitting a certain man, without strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd at Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
Amplified BibleNow at Lystra a man sat who was unable to use his feet, for he was crippled from birth and had never walked.
Christian Standard BibleIn Lystra a man was sitting who was without strength in his feet, had never walked, and had been lame from birth.
Holman Christian Standard BibleIn Lystra a man without strength in his feet, lame from birth, and who had never walked, sat
American Standard VersionAnd at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.
Contemporary English VersionIn Lystra there was a man who had been born with paralyzed feet and had never been able to walk.
English Revised VersionAnd at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationA man who was born lame was in Lystra. He was always sitting because he had never been able to walk.
Good News TranslationIn Lystra there was a crippled man who had been lame from birth and had never been able to walk.
International Standard VersionNow in Lystra there was a man sitting down who couldn't use his feet. He had been crippled from birth and had never walked.
NET BibleIn Lystra sat a man who could not use his feet, lame from birth, who had never walked.
New Heart English BibleAt Lystra a certain man sat, without strength in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked.
Weymouth New TestamentNow a man who had no power in his feet used to sit in the streets of Lystra. He had been lame from his birth and had never walked. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIn Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked.
World English BibleAt Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd a certain man in Lystra, impotent in the feet, was sitting, being lame from the womb of his mother—who never had walked;
Berean Literal BibleAnd in Lystra a certain man was sitting, crippled in the feet, lame from the womb of his mother, who had never walked.
Young's Literal Translation And a certain man in Lystra, impotent in the feet, was sitting, being lame from the womb of his mother -- who never had walked,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd a certain man in Lystra, not having strength in the feet, sat, being lame from his mother's belly, who had never walked: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd a certain man was sitting at Lystra, disabled in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
New American Bible
At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked.
New Revised Standard Version
In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth.Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
And there dwelt in the city of Ly’stra a cripple who had been lame from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And a certain man was sitting in the city of Lystra who was lame in his feet, crippled from his mother's womb, who had never walked.NT Translations Anderson New Testament
And there was a certain man in Lystra, without strength in his feet, who sat, for he was a cripple from his mother's womb, and had never walked.
Godbey New Testament
And there was a certain man sitting there in Lystra, impotent in his feet, being lame from the womb of his mother, who never did walk about.
Haweis New Testament
And there was a certain man at Lystra, who having lost the use of his feet was sitting, being lame from his mother’s womb, and who had never been able to walk:
Mace New Testament
Now at Lystra there was a man, who could not stand upon his feet, he was born a cripple, and had never walked about.
Weymouth New Testament
Now a man who had no power in his feet used to sit in the streets of Lystra. He had been lame from his birth and had never walked.
Worrell New Testament
And at Lystra there was sitting a certain man, impotent in his feet; lame from his mother's womb, who never walked.
Worsley New Testament
And there was sitting at Lystra, a man disabled in his feet, who had never walkedat all, being lame from his birth.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Visit to Lystra and Derbe7where they continued to preach the gospel. 8InLystrathere satamancrippledin hisfeet,who was lamefrombirthandhad neverwalked.9This man was listening to the words of Paul, who looked intently at him and saw that he had faith to be healed.…
Cross References Acts 3:2-8And a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those entering the temple courts. / When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. / Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter. ...
John 5:5-9One man there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. / When Jesus saw him lying there and realized that he had spent a long time in this condition, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?” / “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am on my way, someone else goes in before me.” ...
Matthew 9:2-7Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.” / On seeing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” / But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts? ...
Luke 5:18-25Just then some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They tried to bring him inside to set him before Jesus, / but they could not find a way through the crowd. So they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. / When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” ...
Mark 2:3-12Then a paralytic was brought to Him, carried by four men. / Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat. / When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” ...
Isaiah 35:6Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
Matthew 15:30-31Large crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at His feet, and He healed them. / The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.
Luke 7:22So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Acts 9:33-34There he found a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. / “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and put away your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up,
John 9:1-7Now as Jesus was passing by, He saw a man blind from birth, / and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” / Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him. ...
Matthew 11:5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Isaiah 53:4-5Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
Psalm 103:2-3Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds— / He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases,
Mark 16:17-18And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; / they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”
Luke 13:11-13and a woman there had been disabled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was hunched over and could not stand up straight. / When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your disability.” / Then He placed His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and began to glorify God.
Treasury of Scripture And there sat a certain man at Lystra, weak in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: impotent. Acts 4:9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; John 5:3,7 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water… being. Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; John 5:5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. John 9:1,2 And asJesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind fromhis birth… Jump to Previous BirthCrippledFeetImpotentLystraMotherMother'sPowerSatSitSittingStreetsStrengthUseUsedWalkedWombJump to Next BirthCrippledFeetImpotentLystraMotherMother'sPowerSatSitSittingStreetsStrengthUseUsedWalkedWombActs 14 1.Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium.8.At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods.19.Paul is stoned.21.They pass through various churches, confirming the disciples in faith and patience.26.Returning to Antioch, they report what God had done with them.In LystraLystra was a city in the Roman province of Galatia, located in present-day Turkey. It was a frontier town, known for its diverse population, including Greeks, Romans, and native Lycaonians. The city was part of Paul's first missionary journey, as recorded in Acts 13-14. Lystra was significant for its lack of a Jewish synagogue, indicating a predominantly Gentile population. This setting highlights the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish communities, fulfilling the Great Commission ( Matthew 28:19). there sat a man crippled in his feet
The description of the man's condition emphasizes his helplessness and the severity of his disability. In biblical times, physical disabilities often led to social marginalization and economic hardship, as there were limited means for support. This phrase sets the stage for a miraculous healing, demonstrating God's power and compassion. The man's condition parallels other biblical accounts of healing, such as the man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:2-9). who was lame from birth
Being lame from birth underscores the congenital nature of the man's condition, making the impending miracle even more remarkable. This detail highlights the authenticity of the miracle, as it was not a temporary ailment but a lifelong disability. The phrase echoes other scriptural accounts of congenital conditions, such as the man born blind inJohn 9:1-7, where Jesus' healing serves as a testament to His divine authority. and had never walked
The emphasis on the man's inability to walk from birth further accentuates the miraculous nature of his healing. This detail underscores the totality of his disability and the transformative power of the Gospel. The healing of such a condition would have been seen as impossible by human standards, pointing to the divine intervention of God. This phrase connects to prophecies of the Messiah bringing healing and restoration, as seen inIsaiah 35:6, where the lame are prophesied to leap like a deer. Persons / Places / Events 1. LystraA city in the region of Lycaonia, part of modern-day Turkey. It was a Roman colony and a place where Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel. 2. The Crippled ManA man who had been lame from birth, unable to walk. His condition sets the stage for a miraculous healing that demonstrates the power of God. 3. PaulAn apostle of Jesus Christ, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus. He was instrumental in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles and performed many miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit. 4. BarnabasA companion of Paul on his missionary journeys. Known for his encouragement and support, he played a significant role in the early church. 5. The MiracleThe healing of the crippled man, which serves as a testament to the power of faith and the authority of the apostles. Teaching Points Faith and HealingThe crippled man's healing illustrates the power of faith. Just as he listened intently to Paul, we must also be attentive to God's Word, believing in His power to transform our lives. God's Power in WeaknessThe man's lifelong disability highlights how God can use our weaknesses to display His strength and glory. We should not be discouraged by our limitations but trust in God's ability to work through them. The Role of the ApostlesPaul and Barnabas serve as examples of how believers are called to be vessels of God's power. We are encouraged to be bold in our faith, trusting that God can work through us to impact others. The Importance of WitnessThe miracle in Lystra was a powerful witness to the people, leading them to recognize the presence of God. Our lives should similarly reflect God's work, drawing others to Him. Perseverance in MinistryDespite challenges and opposition, Paul and Barnabas continued their mission. We are reminded to persevere in our calling, knowing that God is with us. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Acts 14:8?
2.How does Acts 14:8 demonstrate God's power to heal through faith in Jesus?
3.What role does faith play in the healing of the crippled man?
4.How can we apply the apostles' boldness in sharing the gospel today?
5.What Old Testament healings parallel the miracle in Acts 14:8?
6.How can we strengthen our faith to witness God's miracles in our lives?
7.How does Acts 14:8 demonstrate the power of faith in healing?
8.What historical evidence supports the events described in Acts 14:8?
9.How does Acts 14:8 reflect the theme of divine intervention?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 14?
11.How can Acts 14:8–10 claim a miraculous healing with no scientific evidence to support it?
12.What is the Bible's stance on stoning?
13.Where is Lystra mentioned in the Bible?
14.Why does Acts 14:11–13 depict the Lystrans calling Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” yet no external records confirm such events?What Does Acts 14:8 Mean In Lystra• Luke places the scene in Lystra, one of the towns Paul and Barnabas reached after fleeing Iconium (Acts 14:6-7). • This detail roots the event in real geography, reminding us that the gospel penetrated ordinary places—just as Jesus told His followers they would be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). • Later, Paul will recall “the persecutions I endured in Lystra” (2 Timothy 3:11), showing that God’s work in this city bore lasting fruit despite opposition.
there sat a man• Scripture narrows the focus from the city to a single, nameless individual. God often highlights one person to display His grace, as He did with the Ethiopian eunuch inActs 8:26-39. • Sitting suggests passivity and helplessness—he was not seeking Jesus, yet Jesus was about to seek him, echoingRomans 3:11, “There is no one who seeks God.” • The man’s anonymity allows every reader who feels overlooked to see himself in the story.
crippled in his feet• The Holy Spirit stresses the severity: his disability affected both feet, leaving him immobilized. • The phrase anticipates the miracle to come, much like the “man lame from birth” at the temple gate whom Peter healed (Acts 3:2-8). • Physical brokenness pictures spiritual brokenness; apart from Christ we are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
who was lame from birth• Congenital lameness underscores that no human remedy or gradual therapy had ever helped him. • His condition parallels the man born blind inJohn 9:1-7; both cases prove that some afflictions exist “that the works of God might be displayed.” • By specifying “from birth,” Luke rules out fakery and magnifies the Creator who alone can give what was never present.
and had never walked• This triple emphasis—crippled, from birth, never walked—heightens anticipation. • It mirrors Isaiah’s prophecy, “Then the lame will leap like a deer” (Isaiah 35:6), showing that Messianic signs did not end with Jesus’ earthly ministry but continued through His church. • The impossibility of the situation spotlights the sufficiency of faith; when Paul perceives the man “had faith to be healed” (Acts 14:9), God’s power meets human trust, similar toMark 2:5 where Jesus responds to visible faith.
summaryActs 14:8 sets an unmistakable stage: a real city, an overlooked sufferer, a lifelong incapacity. By painting the need in bold strokes, the verse prepares us to see the glory of Christ working through His servants. God chooses an impossible case so that when the man leaps up (Acts 14:10), everyone knows the gospel is not words alone but “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). (8) Being a cripple from his mother's womb.--We note, as in Acts 3:2; Acts 9:33, the characteristic care to record the duration of the infirmity which was supernaturally cured. Verse 8.- At Lystra there sat, etc., for there sat... at Lystra, A.V.; a cripple for being a cripple, A.V. and T.R.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.LystraΛύστροις(Lystrois)Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3082:Lystra, a place in Asia Minor.satἐκάθητο(ekathēto)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2521:To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.aτις(tis)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.manἀνὴρ(anēr)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 435:A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.crippledἀδύνατος(adynatos)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 102:Of persons: incapable; of things: impossible; either the inability, or that which is impossible. Passively, impossible.in [his]τοῖς(tois)Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.feet,ποσὶν(posin)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228:The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.who was lameχωλὸς(chōlos)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5560:Lame, deprived of a foot, limping. Apparently a primary word; 'halt', i.e. Limping.fromἐκ(ek)Preposition
Strong's 1537:From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.birthκοιλίας(koilias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2836:From koilos; a cavity, i.e. the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart.[and]ὃς(hos)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.{had} neverοὐδέποτε(oudepote)Adverb
Strong's 3763:Never. From oude and pote; not even at any time, i.e. Never at all.walked.περιεπάτησεν(periepatēsen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4043:From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.
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NT Apostles: Acts 14:8 At Lystra a certain man sat impotent (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
