Acts 14:13

Acts 14:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
• New International Version (NIV)The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

Context of Acts 14:13

11When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” 12And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

Acts 14:13 word by word

ὅ τε ἱερεὺς τοῦ Διὸς τοῦ ὄντος πρὸ τῆς πόλεως ταύρους καὶ στέμματα ἐπὶ τοὺς πυλῶνας ἐνέγκας σὺν τοῖς ὄχλοις ἤθελεν θύειν.¶Read the interlinear

• The priestἱερεύςhiereus · priestG2409
• of ZeusΖεύς, ΔίςZeus · ZeusG2203
• justπρόpro · beforeG4253
• the cityπόλιςpolis · cityG4172
• broughtφέρωpherō̄ · to bear/leadG5342
• oxenταῦροςtauros · bullG5022
• and garlandsστέμμαstemma · wreathG4725
• to the gatesπυλώνpulōn · gateG4440
• wantedθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• to offerθύωthuō · to sacrificeG2380
• with the crowdsὄχλοςochlos · crowdG3793

Cross-references for Acts 14:13

• Acts 10:25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him.
• Daniel 2:46Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense.

Commentaries on Acts 14:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city - There is a meaning here, which ordinary readers will not readily apprehend. Many cities were put under the protection of a particular deity; and the image of that deity placed at the entrance, to signify that he was the guardian and protector. To this St. Luke, every where as accurate as he is circumstantial, refers. Lystra, it appears, was under the guardianship of Jupiter Propulaius, , which St…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Then the priest of Jupiter - He whose office it was to conduct the worship of Jupiter by offering sacrifices, etc. Which was before their city - The word “which” here refers not to the priest, but to Jupiter. The temple or image of Jupiter was in front of their city, or near the gates. Ancient cities were supposed to be under the protection of particular gods; and their image, or a temple for their worship, was placed commonly in a conspicuous place at…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-18Verses 8-18 All things are possible to those that believe. When we have faith, that most precious gift of God, we shall be delivered from the spiritual helplessness in which we were born, and from the dominion of sinful habits since formed; we shall be made able to stand upright and walk cheerfully in the ways of the Lord. When Christ, the Son of God, appeared in the likeness of men, and did many miracles, men were so far from doing sacrifice to him, that…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-13Zeus 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…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 11-1311-13. in the speech of Lycaonia--whether a corruption of the Greek tongue, which was well enough understood in this region, or the remains of some older tongue, is not known. The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men--the language of an unsophisticated people. But "that which was a superstition in Lycaonia, and for which the whole "creation" groaned, became a reality at Bethlehem" [Webster and Wilkinson].Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 14:13

• Barnabas
• Garlands
• Gates
• Homage
• Idolatry
• Integrity
• Jupiter
• Lycaonia
• Lystra
• Minister, Christian
• Paul
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Altar
• Confirm
• Cripple
• Garlands
• Raise
• Unbelieving
• Acts of the Apostles
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Garland
• Jupiter

Commentaries on Acts 14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings