Acts 14:14

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

13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, ^aintending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, ^athey tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out

15 and saying, “Men, ^awhy are you doing these things? ^bWe also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from ^cthese useless things ^dto the living God, ^ewho made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,

16 ^awho in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.

17 ^aNevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, ^bgave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with ^cfood and gladness.”

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
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What Does Acts 14:14 Mean?

Acts 14:8-18

Galatia was not a city but a province in Asia Minor. The church membership was undoubtedly composed mainly of Gentiles, and the males were physically uncircumcised (Galatians 5:2; 6:12-13). In looking at Paul's initial dealings with these people, we find that they had a history of worshipping pagan deities.

In Lystra, God healed a crippled man through Paul (Acts 14:8-18). The people of the area were so astonished at this miracle that they supposed Barnabas and Paul, whom they called Zeus and Hermes (verse 12), to be pagan gods! They wanted to sacrifice to them, and would have, if the apostles had not stopped them (verses 13-18). This shows that the people in Galatia were generally superstitious and worshipped pagan deities.

Earl L. Henn
Does Paul Condemn Observing God's Holy Days?

Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Acts 14:14:

Amos 1:3-15
Amos 2:1-3
Acts 14:8-18
Galatians 4:9-10
Galatians 4:9-10

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Acts 14:15 >>

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What Does Acts 14:14 Mean?

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

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