New Testament · History

Acts 14

Mistaken for Gods

After healing a lame man, Paul and Barnabas are nearly worshipped as Zeus and Hermes. Then the same crowd stones Paul and leaves him for dead.

King James Version BSB KJV

1And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

3Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

5And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

6They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

7And there they preached the gospel.

8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

11And 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.

12And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

13Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

14Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

15And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

17Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

18And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

19And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

22Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

24And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

26And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

27And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

28And there they abode long time with the disciples.

Understand This

Acts 14, explained

What Acts 14 is saying

Paul and Barnabas continue through Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, experiencing both enthusiastic reception and violent opposition. At Lystra, after healing a man lame from birth, the crowd attempts to worship them as Hermes and Zeus, and Paul and Barnabas barely restrain them. Jews from Antioch and Iconium incite a mob that stones Paul. The missionaries retrace their route, appointing elders (presbyterous) in each new church.

The background behind it

The identification of Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes reflects the local Lycaonian legend of Philemon and Baucis (recounted by Ovid), where these gods visited the region in human form. Archaeological evidence confirms a temple of Zeus outside Lystra's gates. Paul's speech at Lystra (14:15–17) represents Luke's first example of preaching to a purely pagan audience, adapting the message to a non-biblical worldview.

Themes running underneath

Paul's Lystra speech introduces natural theology—God witnessed to by rain, harvests, and human joy—as a starting point for pagan audiences, contrasting with the scriptural argumentation used in synagogues. The rapid oscillation between adulation and stoning illustrates the volatility of popular religion. The appointment of elders reveals that Paul prioritized ecclesial structure even in nascent communities.

Why it still matters

The flexibility of Paul's proclamation—adapting content while maintaining core truth—models contextual theology. The chapter also warns against both the idolization and the rejection of Christian leaders, dynamics that remain endemic in religious communities.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.