Mistaken for Gods in Lystra

In Lystra a man was sitting who was without strength in his feet, had never walked, and had been lame from birth. He listened as Paul spoke. After looking directly at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” And he jumped up and began to walk around.(A)

11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” (B) 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the town, brought bulls and wreaths to the gates because he intended, with the crowds, to offer sacrifice.

14 The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd, shouting,(C) 15 “People! Why are you doing these things? We are people also, just like you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you turn from these worthless things(D) to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.[a](E) 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations(F) to go their own way, 17 although he did not leave himself without a witness,(G) since he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons(H) and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.” 18 Even though they said these things, they barely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:15 Ex 20:11; Ps 146:6

In (A)Lystra (B)a man was sitting whose feet were incapacitated. He had been disabled from his mother’s womb, and had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke. Paul (C)looked at him intently and saw that he had (D)faith to be [a]made well, 10 and he said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” (E)And the man leaped up and began to walk. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the (F)Lycaonian language, “(G)The gods have become like men and have come down to us!” 12 And they began calling Barnabas, [b]Zeus, and Paul, [c]Hermes, since he was [d]the chief speaker. 13 Moreover, the priest of Zeus, whose temple was [e]just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and (H)wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when (I)the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they (J)tore their [f]robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also (K)men, of the same nature as you, (L)preaching the gospel to you, to turn from these [g](M)useless things to a (N)living God, who (O)made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them. 16 [h]In past generations He (P)permitted all the [i]nations to (Q)go their own ways; 17 yet (R)He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and (S)gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, [j]satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And even by saying these things, only with difficulty did they restrain the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 14:9 Lit saved
  2. Acts 14:12 In Lat Jupiter, the chief pagan god of Rome
  3. Acts 14:12 In Lat Mercury, considered the messenger or spokesman for the pagan gods of Rome
  4. Acts 14:12 Lit the leader of the speaking
  5. Acts 14:13 Lit in front of
  6. Acts 14:14 Or outer garments
  7. Acts 14:15 I.e., idols
  8. Acts 14:16 Lit Who in past generations permitted
  9. Acts 14:16 Or Gentiles
  10. Acts 14:17 Lit filling