Topical Encyclopedia
Aeneas is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. His account is brief but significant, illustrating the power of Jesus Christ working through the apostles in the early Church. Aeneas is a testament to the miraculous healings that accompanied the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the Christian faith.
Biblical AccountThe account of Aeneas is found in
Acts 9:32-35. The Apostle Peter, traveling through the region to visit the believers, arrives in the town of Lydda. There, he encounters Aeneas, a man who had been bedridden for eight years due to paralysis. The Scripture states:
"As Peter traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There 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, and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord." (
Acts 9:32-35)
SignificanceThe healing of Aeneas is significant for several reasons:
1.
Demonstration of Apostolic Authority: The miracle performed by Peter serves as a demonstration of the authority given to the apostles by Jesus Christ. It confirms the continuation of Jesus' healing ministry through His disciples, as promised in passages like
Mark 16:17-18.
2.
Validation of the Gospel Message: The miraculous healing acts as a validation of the Gospel message. The immediate and complete healing of Aeneas leads to a turning of hearts in Lydda and Sharon, as many witnesses come to faith in the Lord. This aligns with the purpose of miracles in the New Testament, which often serve to authenticate the message of Christ and draw people to faith.
3.
Symbol of Spiritual Restoration: Aeneas' physical healing can also be seen as a symbol of spiritual restoration. Just as Aeneas was raised from his paralysis, so too are believers raised from spiritual death and paralysis by the power of Christ. This miracle serves as a metaphor for the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of individuals.
4.
Encouragement to the Early Church: The account of Aeneas would have been an encouragement to the early Church, affirming that the same power that worked through Jesus was now at work through His apostles. It reinforced the belief that Jesus was alive and active, continuing His work through His followers.
Historical and Cultural ContextLydda, where Aeneas was healed, was a town located in the coastal plain of Sharon, about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem. It was a significant location due to its position on the trade route between Egypt and Syria. The presence of a Christian community in Lydda indicates the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem and into the surrounding regions, fulfilling Jesus' command to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (
Acts 1:8).
Theological ImplicationsThe healing of Aeneas underscores the central Christian belief in the power of Jesus' name. Peter's declaration, "Jesus Christ heals you," emphasizes that the source of healing and authority is not in the apostles themselves but in Jesus Christ. This reflects the early Church's understanding of Jesus as the risen Lord, whose power transcends physical limitations and whose authority extends over all creation.
In summary, Aeneas' account, though brief, is a powerful testament to the early Church's mission, the authority of the apostles, and the transformative power of the Gospel. It serves as a reminder of the continued presence and work of Jesus Christ through His followers.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Aeneaspraised; praiseworthy
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Aeneas(laudble), a paralytic at Lydda healed by St. Peter. (Acts 9:33,34)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AENEASe-ne'-as ('Aineas): A paralytic at Lydda, who, after he "had kept his bed eight years," was miraculously healed by Peter (Acts 9:33, 34).
Greek
132. Aineas --Aeneas, a paralytic cured by Peter...Aeneas, a paralytic cured by Peter. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Aineas Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-neh'-as) Short Definition:
Aeneas Definition
...Library
But Why did I So Much Hate the Greek...
... power of reading what I find written, and myself writing what I will; whereas in
the others, I was forced to learn the wanderings of oneAeneas, forgetful of...
Copies of Christ's Manner
... COPIES OF CHRIST'S MANNER. 'And Peter said unto him,Aeneas, Jesus Christ
maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed....40. But Peter...
The Adventures of Saint Anthony of Italy.
... Taking ship, like FatherAeneas of old, he and his attendant Squire traversed the
Mediterranean Sea, only he sailed eastward, while the piousAeneas sailed...
A Seeker for Truth
... Here he healedAeneas, who for eight years had been confined to his bed
with palsy. "Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole," the...
Concerning the Revolt of the Trachonites; How Sylleus Accused...
... Now it came to pass that Obodas was dead; andAeneas, whose name was afterward changed
to Aretas, [12] took the government, for Sylleus endeavored by calumnies...
Book one in God's Searching Presence, Augustine Undertakes to...
... In the other subjects, however, I was compelled to learn about the wanderings of
a certainAeneas, oblivious of my own wanderings, and to weep for Dido dead...
Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House...
... It was at Lydda, thirty-two Roman miles from Jerusalem, thatAeneas was miraculously
healed, and "nigh" to it"within a few miles"was Joppa, where the...
From the Ascension to the Church at Antioch.
... 2. Philip witnesses in Samaria and Judea, 8:5-40. 3. The Lord wins new witnesses,
9:1-11:18. (1) Saul. (2)Aeneas, etc. (3) Dorcas, Mary, etc. (4) Cornelius....
For the King There were Three Great Perils: the People...
... With one hand she felt her jewelled hair, with the other she beckoned to him. The
young men approached her. "Children ofAeneas, I give you welcome," said she....
That the Christian Miracles are not Recited, or Appealed To, by...
... himself, particularly the cure of the lame man at the gate of the temple (Acts
3:1), the death of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1), the cure ofAeneas (Acts 9:34...
Thesaurus
Aeneas (2 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AENEAS. e-ne'-as ('Aineas): A
... 33, 34).
Multi-Version Concordance
Aeneas (2 Occurrences). Acts 9:33
...Aene'as (2 Occurrences)
...Aeneas, Aene'as. Aenon .... Acts 9:33 and he found there a certain man,Aeneas
by name -- for eight years laid upon a couch -- who was paralytic, (See RSV)....
Eneas (2 Occurrences)
... Eneas (2 Occurrences). Acts 9:33 There he found a certain man namedAeneas, who
had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed....
Aretas (1 Occurrence)
... 3.Aeneas: The successor of Obodas was apparently surnamedAeneas and this is the
Arabian king who figures in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 11:32; compare...
Palsy (12 Occurrences)
... Miraculous cures by our Lord are related in general terms, as in Matthew 4:24 Acts
8:7.Aeneas (Acts 9:33) was probably a paralytic eight years bedridden....
Couch (55 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Acts 9:33 And he found there a certain man,Aeneas by name, who had been
lying for eight years upon a couch, who was paralysed. (DBY YLT)....
Bed (142 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Acts 9:33 There he found a certain man namedAeneas, who had
been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed....
Lydda (3 Occurrences)
... A town in the tribe of Ephraim, mentioned only in the New Testament (Acts 9:32,
35, 38) as the scene of Peter's miracle in healing the paralyticAEneas....
Eight (81 Occurrences)
... NIV). Acts 9:33 There he found a certain man namedAeneas, who had been
bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. (WEB...
Dorcas (3 Occurrences)
... girls. Her restoration to life by Peter is recorded. At the time of her
death Peter was in Lydda where he had healedAeneas. Being...
Resources
Bible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
