Acts 9:35

And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Acts 9:35 (KJV)

Context

Acts 9:35 concludes a short narrative unit in which Peter travels through Judea and Samaria to visit believers. Lydda was a town about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, and Saron, also called Sharon, was a fertile coastal plain between Joppa and Caesarea, beginning near Lydda. The verse records that the people living in these areas saw something significant.

Meaning

Verse 35 states that all the people in Lydda and Saron saw Aeneas after his healing and turned to the Lord. The phrase “turned to the Lord” signifies genuine conversion—turning away from sin and idolatry toward faith in Jesus Christ. The miracle was not a private restoration but a public sign that led many to faith. The healing was performed in the name of Jesus Christ, showing that the power at work was not Peter’s own but Christ’s.

Biblical connections

Throughout Acts, miracles served as signs that authenticated the apostles’ message and ministry. In this instance, the healing of Aeneas became a catalyst for belief. The narrative flow from Acts 9:32-35 shows Peter’s itinerant ministry, the healing, and the resulting conversions, setting the stage for the next episode in Joppa.

Application

The transformed life of Aeneas became a powerful testimony that impacted the community. People were not only convinced by the miracle but also influenced by Aeneas’s personal experience. Sharing our own stories of how Jesus has transformed our lives can have a profound impact on others, leading them to turn to the Lord. God’s works of power are intended to draw people to Himself, and the proclamation of Christ remains central to the church’s mission.

Reflection

Consider how your own encounter with Christ’s healing power—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—can serve as a witness to those around you. The same Jesus who healed Aeneas is at work today, and our transformed lives can point others to Him.