Acts 14:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →At Lystra sits a man lame from birth, powerless in his feet, who has never taken a step.
What Does Acts 14:8 Mean?
Luke slows the story to introduce one man in the crowd at Lystra. Three phrases pile up the hopelessness — impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, never had walked. The description closely mirrors the man Peter met at the temple gate (Acts 3:2).
The triple emphasis matters: no one could claim this man was slightly ill or about to mend on his own. Whatever happens next will be unmistakably the work of God. Scripture often lingers like this over the depth of a need before announcing its healing, because grace shines clearest against an honest account of helplessness. A lifetime of 'never' is not beyond the reach of Christ.
Acts 14:8 in the Original Language
adynatos (ἀδύνατος), 'impotent' -- without strength, powerless.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 14:8
What does Acts 14:8 mean?
At Lystra sits a man lame from birth, powerless in his feet, who has never taken a step.