Acts 14:8

“And there sat a certain man at Lystra, etc.] Where the apostle was preaching; and perhaps he sat there to beg, where there was a great concourse of people, and which might be in the open street: this man was impotent in his feet; so weak, as not to be able to walk, and even to stand on them, and therefore is said to sit: being a cripple from his mother’s womb; he was born lame, as was the man cured by Peter, (<440302>Acts 3:2) who never had walked; these circumstances are mentioned, to show that his case was incurable by any human art, and to illustrate the following miracle.”

“AT LYSTRA PAUL HEALING A CRIPPLE, THE PEOPLE ARE SCARCE RESTRAINED FROM SACRIFICING TO THEM AS GODS, BUT AFTERWARDS, THEIR MINDS BEING POISONED, THEY STONE PAUL, LEAVING HIM FOR DEAD--WITHDRAWING TO DERBE, THEY PREACH AND TEACH THERE. (Act 14:8-21) there sat there a certain man . . . a cripple from his mother's womb . . . The same heard Paul speak--in the open air and (Act 14:11) to a crowd of people.”

“And there sat - There dwelt, Matthew 9:16; Acts 18:11 (margin). The word “sat,” however, indicates his usual posture, his helpless condition. Such persons commonly sat by the wayside, or in some public place, to ask for alms, Mark 10:46. Impotent in his feet - ἀδύνατος adunatos. Without any power. Entirely deprived of the use of his feet. Being a cripple - Lame. Who never had walked - The miracle, therefore, would be more remarkable, as the man would be well known. As they were persecuted from place to place, and opposed in every manner, it was desirable that a signal miracle should be performed to carry forward and establish the work of the gospel. return to 'Top of Page'”

“14:8-20 Paul’s healing of a man with crippled feet recalls a similar incident in 3:1-12. In Acts, the work of Paul parallels the work of Peter, and the many miraculous signs and wonders performed among the Jews were also performed among the Gentiles.”

“impotent: Act 4:9; Joh 5:3, Joh 5:7 being: Act 3:2; Joh 5:5, Joh 9:1, Joh 9:2 Acts 14:9”