And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter doesn't just ask Aeneas to rise; he commands him to "make your bed." This isn't a minor detail; it's a profound demonstration that the healing isn't just about standing up, but about fully regaining the ability to care for oneself after years of helplessness, pointing to the wholeness Jesus restores.
And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is traveling through the region and visits believers in the town of Lydda, where he encounters a man named Aeneas who has been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter, emphasizing that Jesus Christ is the true healer and not himself, commands Aeneas to rise and make his bed, immediately demonstrating the completeness of his miraculous recovery. This event, along with another healing and a resurrection that follows, leads many in the area to believe in the Lord.
Peter confronts a man bedridden for eight years. What does Peter say when he heals him? The answer reveals a crucial truth about where all power and healing come from.
No Personal Power
Peter’s words here are powerful, not because of who Peter is, but because of who he points to: Jesus Christ.
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After a man is instantly healed from an eight-year paralysis, Peter gives him a surprising command. What is the significance of this seemingly small task?
Obedience as Evidence
The command to 'rise and make your bed' is more than just a task; it's an immediate demonstration of complete restoration.
Understand the original words
Iēsous Christos · Greek Noun
The Messiah, the anointed one of God; the title signifies that Jesus is the prophesied Savior who fulfills God's redemptive plan for humanity.
iaomai · Greek Verb
The act of divine intervention to restore health, wholeness, or integrity. It often serves as a sign of the Kingdom of God and the authority of the Savior over sickness and death.
This healing miracle in Lydda demonstrates Peter acting as a conduit for Christ's power, not a source of it, emphasizing the divine authority of Jesus and the role of the Holy Spirit in the nascent church.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central events of Christian faith, establishing Jesus as the Messiah and providing the source of spiritual and physical healing.
c. 30-33 AD
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, including Peter, with gifts like healing, enabling them to perform miracles in Jesus' name.
c. 33-47 AD
Early Church Growth and Persecution
The Christian movement spreads, often facing opposition, but miracles like those performed by Peter and Paul solidify belief.
c. 47-49 AD— this verse
Peter's Ministry in Lydda
The apostle Peter travels through Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, strengthening the churches and performing significant miracles like the healing of Aeneas.
c. 49 AD
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal moment where early church leaders address issues of Gentile inclusion, with Peter playing a significant role.
Jesus tells a paralyzed man to 'rise, pick up your mat, and go home,' directly mirroring Peter's command to Aeneas to 'rise and make your bed' as a tangible sign of healing.
John 5:8Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for many years with the command, 'Get up, pick up your mat and walk,' showcasing Jesus' direct power to heal and restore.
Acts 3:6Peter, like here, explicitly states 'In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,' directing glory to Christ and disclaiming personal power for the healing of the lame man at the temple gate.
Acts 4:10Peter reiterates that any healing comes 'by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,' reinforcing the theme that Christ is the true source of power, not the apostles themselves.
1 Peter 2:24Peter later writes that Jesus 'himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,' connecting the physical healing in Acts to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for spiritual healing and wholeness.
ellicottActs 9:34: "And Peter said unto him, AEneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately."
(34) Jesus Christ maketh thee whole. —Better, Jesus the Christ. We note the same anxiety to disclaim any personal power or holiness as the cause that wrought the supernatural healing as in Acts 3:12 ; Acts 4:9-10 . In the assonance of the Greek words ( Iësus iātai se ) we may, perhaps, trace a desire to impress the thought that the very name of Jesus testified that He…
calvinActs 9:32-35: "And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda."
- And it happened, that whilst Peter walked through all, he came also unto the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33. And he found there a man named. AEneas, who had laid in his bed eight years, who had the palsy. 34. And Peter saith unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ make thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And forthwith he arose. 35. And all those which dwelt at Lydda a…
Peter doesn't just ask Aeneas to rise; he commands him to "make your bed." This isn't a minor detail; it's a profound demonstration that the healing isn't just about standing up, but about fully regaining the ability to care for oneself after years of helplessness, pointing to the wholeness Jesus restores.
Peter is traveling through the region and visits believers in the town of Lydda, where he encounters a man named Aeneas who has been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter, emphasizing that Jesus Christ is the true healer and not himself, commands Aeneas to rise and make his bed, immediately demonstrating the completeness of his miraculous recovery. This event, along with another healing and a resurrection that follows, leads many in the area to believe in the Lord.
Peter is traveling through the region and visits believers in the town of Lydda, where he encounters a man named Aeneas who has been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter, emphasizing that Jesus Christ is the true healer and not himself, commands Aeneas to rise and make his bed, immediately demonstrating the completeness of his miraculous recovery. This event, along with another healing and a resurrection that follows, leads many in the area to believe in the Lord.
"And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose." — Peter doesn't just ask Aeneas to rise; he commands him to "make your bed." This isn't a minor detail; it's a profound demonstration that the healing isn't just about standing up, but about fully rega…
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Last reviewed October 2026