Keraia
Acts 14

Acts 14:11

The Visit to Lystra and Derbe · Acts 14:8–20
Read Acts 14

Translations

Modern
When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices in the Lycaonian language: “The gods have come down to us in human form!”
Traditional
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
Literal
And the crowds, having seen what Paul had done, lifted up their voice in Lycaonian, saying, “The gods have come down to us, having become like men!”
Latin
Turbæ autem cum vidissent quod fecerat Paulus, levaverunt vocem suam lycaonice, dicentes: Dii similes facti hominibus descenderunt ad nos.

Original

Greek
English
When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices in the Lycaonian language: “The gods have come down to us in human form!”

Notes

Acts 14:11–13

Zeus was the main god worshiped in Lystra, and the city had a temple for him. The people thought Barnabas was Zeus, likely because he seemed more impressive or powerful. They thought Paul was Hermes because he was the main speaker.

The people of Lystra believed the gods were visiting them again. This idea comes from a well-known story by the poet Ovid. In that story, Zeus and Hermes visited the area but were not recognized, except by an old couple (see Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.616–724). Because of this, the people tried to honor Paul and Barnabas as gods.

Acts 14:8–20

Paul healed a man who could not use his feet. This is similar to an earlier event in 3:1–12. In Acts, Paul’s work is shown as similar to Peter’s work. The many signs and wonders done among the Jews were also done among the Gentiles.

Theme notes and profiles

Barnabas Paul (Saul)

Events

People

Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles

Places

Lycaonia: A region in Asia Minor; Paul and Barnabas preached there

Glossary

Barnabas Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Galatia Heal, Healing Hermes Jerusalem Council Judaizers Lois Lycaonia Lystra Paul the Apostle Persecution Zeus

Topics

Christian Minister: Persecution: Paul Homage: Paul and Barnabas Idolatry: Led the Heathen to Think That Their Gods Visited the Earth In Idolatry: People of Lystra Idolatry: Saints Refuse to Receive the Worship of Language: Called: Speech Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Lycaonian Language: Lycaonian Lycaonia: Paul Visits Towns of Lystra: One of Two Cities of Lycaonia, to Which Paul and Barnabas Fled from Persecutions in Iconium Mercurius: Paul Taken For, in Lycaonia Paul: The People Attempt to Worship Him Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul