Aeneas
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Aeneas was a man of Lydda who had been bedridden for eight years with palsy. When Peter was visiting the believers in the region, he found him and said, 'Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.' Aeneas rose immediately. The healing became widely known, and 'all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.' Peter was careful to name Jesus Christ as the healer, and the news of his presence at Lydda led the believers in nearby Joppa to send for him after the death of Dorcas.
Biography
- Era
- New Testament (Acts)
Did You Know?
Peter's words, 'Jesus Christ maketh thee whole' (Acts 9:34), credit Jesus as the healer, just as Peter had healed the lame man 'in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth' (Acts 3:6).
Saron is the plain of Sharon, the coastal lowland where Lydda stood, and Luke says that all who lived there 'turned to the Lord' after seeing Aeneas healed (Acts 9:35).
Scripture does not say whether Aeneas was already a believer; Peter had come to visit 'the saints which dwelt at Lydda,' and Aeneas is introduced simply as 'a certain man' (Acts 9:32-33).
Key Chapters
Key Passages
Bedridden Eight Years
Acts 9:32-33
Luke records the length of Aeneas's illness to show how hopeless his condition seemed.
32nd it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
Jesus Christ Maketh Thee Whole
Acts 9:34-35
Peter claims no power of his own. The healing points to the risen Christ, and a whole region turns to the Lord.
34nd Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
