Acts 14:8
And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
Original Language Analysis
Καί
And
G2532
Καί
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀδύνατος
impotent
G102
ἀδύνατος
impotent
Strong's:
G102
Word #:
6 of 18
unable, i.e., weak (literally or figuratively); passively, impossible
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκάθητο
there sat
G2521
ἐκάθητο
there sat
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
9 of 18
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
11 of 18
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
κοιλίας
womb
G2836
κοιλίας
womb
Strong's:
G2836
Word #:
12 of 18
a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart
μητρὸς
mother's
G3384
μητρὸς
mother's
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
13 of 18
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὑπάρχων,
being
G5225
ὑπάρχων,
being
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
15 of 18
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
ὃς
who
G3739
ὃς
who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Acts 3:2And 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;Acts 4:9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;John 5:7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
Historical Context
Lystra was a Roman colony established 6 BC, populated by retired military veterans and locals. The presence of this disabled beggar reflects the harsh realities of disability in the ancient world, where no social services existed and begging was the only survival option for the severely handicapped.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this detailed description of the man's condition heighten appreciation for God's power in salvation?
- What 'congenital conditions' in your spiritual life can only be healed by supernatural intervention?
Analysis & Commentary
A certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet—Luke's medical precision appears in his description: adynatos tois posin (powerless in the feet), being a cripple from his mother's womb (Greek cholos ek koilias mētros autou), who never had walked. This threefold emphasis—congenital condition, lifelong disability, complete inability—establishes that only supernatural power could heal him. The detail parallels Peter's healing of the lame man (Acts 3:2), showing Paul possessed equal apostolic authority. The man's condition symbolizes humanity's spiritual helplessness apart from divine intervention.