Acts 14 12

Acts 14:12 kjv

And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14:12 nkjv

And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14:12 niv

Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14:12 esv

Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14:12 nlt

They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14 verses

Acts 14 12 Meaning

Acts chapter 14 verse 12 details the misidentification of Barnabas and Paul by the people of Lystra. After witnessing a miraculous healing, the local inhabitants, rooted in pagan beliefs, assumed that the apostles were manifestations of their own deities. They equated Barnabas with Jupiter, the king of the gods, likely due to his possibly more imposing stature or senior appearance, and Paul with Mercurius, the messenger of the gods, explicitly because Paul was the primary speaker. This immediate human response to divine power, misdirected through a polytheistic worldview, sets the stage for the apostles' rejection of such worship and their subsequent declaration of the one true God.

Acts 14 12 Context

Acts chapter 14 describes Paul and Barnabas's ministry journeys, beginning in Iconium and moving to Lystra and Derbe. After enduring persecution in Iconium, they flee to Lystra, a Roman colony within Lycaonia, where a crippled man from birth is miraculously healed by Paul (Acts 14:8-10). This astonishing event instantly captures the attention of the Lycaonian crowd, who speak their local dialect. Influenced by their deep-rooted pagan traditions and perhaps an ancient myth of Zeus and Hermes visiting disguised mortals, the people quickly interpret the healing as a visitation by gods in human form. This spontaneous deification of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:11-12) leads them to prepare sacrifices, setting the stage for the apostles' strong theological correction against idolatry and their proclamation of the living God. The verse is crucial as it highlights the stark contrast between pagan polytheism and Christian monotheism, as well as the humility of the apostles in immediately deflecting worship away from themselves.

Acts 14 12 Word analysis

• And they called Barnabas, Jupiter;
  • And they called: Signifies the collective, immediate response of the Lystran crowd, driven by their polytheistic beliefs and cultural predisposition to divine visitations. This implies a sudden, spontaneous judgment by the crowd.
  • Barnabas (Βαρναβᾶς, Barnabas): A Levite from Cyprus, whose original name was Joseph (Acts 4:36). His name means "Son of Encouragement." In this scene, the crowd identifies him as Jupiter, perhaps due to his perceived seniority, more imposing physical presence, or commanding aura. Early church tradition and some commentaries suggest Barnabas may have been older or had a more dignified appearance, fitting the archetype of the "father god."
  • Jupiter (Ζεύς, Zeus): The Greek name for the chief deity in the Roman pantheon (Latin: Jupiter). He was considered the king of the gods, ruler of Mount Olympus, and associated with thunder, lightning, and justice. His identification with Barnabas reflects the people's view of Barnabas as the primary or most senior divine visitor among the two.
• and Paul, Mercurius,
  • and Paul (Παῦλος, Paulos): The Apostle to the Gentiles, formerly Saul. Though perhaps physically less impressive (cf. 2 Cor 10:10), his intellectual and rhetorical gifts were formidable.
  • Mercurius (Ἑρμῆς, Hermes): The Greek name for the messenger god (Latin: Mercurius), known for his speed, cunning, and especially his eloquence. Hermes was often depicted as Zeus's herald and spokesman. This identification perfectly aligns with the subsequent phrase.
• because he was the chief speaker.
  • because: A clear causal conjunction, providing the explicit reason for Paul's identification with Hermes.
  • he was the chief speaker (ὁ ἡγούμενος τοῦ λόγου, ho hēgoumenos tou logou): Literally "the one leading the word" or "the leader of the discourse." This indicates Paul's primary role in verbal communication, whether in preaching, teaching, or interacting with the crowd. While both apostles had the gift of speech, Paul consistently took the lead in public discourse throughout Acts (e.g., in synagogues, before governors, on Mars Hill). This phrase highlights Paul's distinct ability and anointing for evangelism and teaching through spoken word. It underlines how his specific role informed the pagan interpretation.

Acts 14 12 Bonus section

The belief that gods would visit earth disguised as humans was not uncommon in the ancient world, as evidenced by Greek myths like Ovid's Metamorphoses, particularly the story of Philemon and Baucis where Zeus and Hermes visited a poor couple who kindly hosted them, while the rest of the community failed to show hospitality. This familiar narrative likely resonated deeply with the Lystrans, leading to their immediate, fervent reaction upon witnessing the healing of the crippled man. This readiness to worship aligns with the natural human inclination towards awe in the face of power, even if it leads to the worship of created beings rather than the Creator. The Lycaonian language, while unmentioned as a specific name in the verse, contributed to the confusion because Barnabas and Paul, initially at least, would not have understood their shouts until a Lystran translated the exclamations of "The gods have come down to us!" This highlights the immediate, local, and culturally specific nature of the idolatry faced by the apostles, necessitating their swift and culturally relevant rebuttal that turned their focus to the living God who made heaven and earth, sea, and all that is in them.

Acts 14 12 Commentary

Acts 14:12 vividly illustrates the cultural and theological clash between paganism and the nascent Christian message. The Lystrans' immediate response to Paul's miracle—their desire to deify the apostles and offer sacrifices—stems from a worldview that interpreted powerful events through the lens of polytheistic mythology. Their belief that "the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men" (Acts 14:11) reflects an understanding where divine intervention often meant anthropomorphic manifestations, sometimes visiting unsuspecting humans. This event directly exposes the folly and spiritual blindness of idol worship.

Critically, the verse sets up the profound theological pivot that immediately follows in Acts 14:15-18, where Paul and Barnabas vehemently reject this adoration, tearing their clothes as a sign of abhorrence, and emphatically redirecting the people to the one living God who created all things. The choice of Jupiter and Mercurius for Barnabas and Paul respectively is fitting; Zeus (Jupiter) was the supreme ruler, and Hermes (Mercurius) was his eloquent messenger. Paul's known strength in speaking naturally led the Lystrans to equate him with the articulate god of communication. This incident serves as a crucial biblical reminder that genuine ministry always points away from the human instrument and solely towards the divine source of all power and truth, reinforcing the exclusive worship due to the Triune God alone.