What is the meaning of Acts 14:10? In a loud voice • Paul does not whisper healing; he proclaims it so all in Lystra can hear. This reflects confidence that God is about to act, similar to Peter’s raised voice at Pentecost (Acts 2:14) and Jesus crying out, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43). • The volume underscores divine authority, not human theatrics. When God speaks, mountains move (Psalm 29:3-9), and here His servant’s loud voice anticipates a miraculous shift. Paul called out • Paul addresses the crippled man publicly, demonstrating that faith is never a private possession only. Acts 3:6 shows the same courage when Peter spoke to the lame beggar at the temple gate. • His calling out flows from the Spirit’s prompting (Acts 14:9); the initiative is from God, not human impulse (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:4). Stand up on your feet! • This is a clear command, not a suggestion. Power rests in the spoken word, mirroring Jesus’ “Get up, pick up your mat and walk” (Mark 2:11). • “Stand” presumes the impossible for a man lame from birth (Acts 14:8), proving that God speaks realities into existence (Romans 4:17). • Isaiah 35:3-6 foretells that when God’s salvation comes, “the lame will leap like a deer.” Paul’s words fulfill that prophecy in real time. The man jumped up • Instant response signals genuine faith; he doesn’t test his legs tentatively but springs up, echoing the healed beggar “leaping and praising God” in Acts 3:8. • His jump dramatizes the completeness of Christ’s work—no rehab required. When Jesus heals, He heals fully (Matthew 12:13). • Obedience precedes experience; the man acts on Paul’s command before feeling strength, just as Naaman dipped in the Jordan before his skin cleared (2 Kings 5:14). And began to walk • The miracle is ongoing, not a momentary spasm of strength. Continuous walking proves lasting restoration (Luke 7:22). • Walking symbolizes new life and participation in community. Once carried, he now moves among peers, paralleling Aeneas who “got up at once” and saw others turn to the Lord (Acts 9:34-35). • The ripple effect follows: the crowd’s reaction sets up the rest of Acts 14, where Paul must redirect their misplaced worship toward the living God. summary Acts 14:10 showcases God’s immediate, public, and total power to restore. Paul speaks with Spirit-given authority; the lame man trusts instantly; and the result is undeniable evidence that the risen Christ continues His ministry through His servants. The verse invites us to expect God to act powerfully, to obey His Word promptly, and to walk in the new life He provides. |
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