Acts 14:13

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} the priest {G2409} of Jupiter {G2203}, which {G3588} was {G5607} before {G4253} their {G846} city {G4172}, brought {G5342} oxen {G5022} and {G2532} garlands {G4725} unto {G1909} the gates {G4440}, and would {G2309} have done sacrifice {G2380} with {G4862} the people {G3793}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, intending to offer a sacrifice to them with the people.

Berean Standard Bible

The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, hoping to offer a sacrifice along with the crowds.

American Standard Version

And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 14:13 vividly portrays the Lystran populace's profound misunderstanding of divine power, as the priest of Jupiter, the chief deity of their city, prepared to offer pagan sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas. This dramatic scene unfolds immediately after Paul miraculously heals a man lame from birth, leading the superstitious crowd to believe the apostles were gods descended in human form, thereby setting the stage for a crucial confrontation between pagan idolatry and the monotheistic truth of the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct consequence of the miraculous healing performed by Paul in Lystra, as recounted in [Acts 14:8-10](/acts/14-8-10 "The Healing of the Lame Man in Lystra"). After Paul commands a man lame from birth to stand, and he immediately leaps and walks, the crowds are astonished. They respond by shouting in their native Lycaonian dialect, identifying Barnabas as "Jupiter" (Zeus) and Paul as "Mercurius" (Hermes), because Paul was the "chief speaker" ([Acts 14:11-12](/acts/14-11-12 "The Lystrians' Misinterpretation")). The actions of the priest in [Acts 14:13](/acts/14-13 "The Priest of Jupiter Prepares a Sacrifice") are the immediate, dramatic culmination of this misidentification, leading directly to Paul and Barnabas's vehement rejection of their worship in [Acts 14:14-18](/acts/14-14-18 "Paul and Barnabas Reject Worship"). The narrative then shifts to the stoning of Paul, showing the volatile nature of the crowd's affections.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Lystra was a Roman colony in the region of Lycaonia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). As a Roman colony, it would have had a strong presence of Roman religious practices alongside local Anatolian cults. Jupiter (Latin: _Iuppiter_), the king of the gods in the Roman pantheon, was equivalent to the Greek Zeus, and Mercurius (Latin: _Mercurius_) was the Roman counterpart to the Greek Hermes, the messenger of the gods. The presence of a "priest of Jupiter" "before their city" suggests a prominent temple or altar dedicated to Jupiter, likely situated at the city's entrance or a significant public space. The practice of bringing "oxen and garlands" was standard for major pagan sacrifices, with oxen being the primary animal for blood offerings to major deities, and garlands used to adorn both the sacrificial animals and the worshipers or altars, signifying a festive and solemn religious ritual. The Lycaonian dialect mentioned earlier underscores the local, perhaps more rural, nature of their superstitions, distinct from the more Hellenized or Romanized cities.

* **Key Themes:** [Acts 14:13](/acts/14-13 "The Priest of Jupiter Prepares a Sacrifice") powerfully contributes to several key themes in the book of Acts and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the pervasive nature of **pagan idolatry** in the Greco-Roman world, demonstrating how deeply ingrained polytheistic worship was in daily life and communal identity. The Lystrians' immediate attribution of divine status to Paul and Barnabas, based on their existing mythological framework, underscores their spiritual blindness to the one true God. Secondly, the passage emphasizes the **misunderstanding of divine power** and the human tendency to worship the created rather than the Creator. The Lystrians saw a miracle but attributed it to false gods, failing to recognize the source of true power. This sets up a crucial contrast with the apostles' message, which consistently points to God as the sole object of worship and the source of all power, as seen in Paul's later sermon in [Acts 17:22-31](/acts/17-22-31 "Paul's Sermon on Mars Hill"). Finally, the scene illustrates the **challenge for apostles** in their mission. Unlike persecution, which often solidified their resolve, being worshipped presented a unique spiritual danger, as it directly contradicted their core message that salvation is through Christ alone, not through human intermediaries or pagan deities. Their immediate and forceful rejection of this adoration, detailed in [Acts 14:14-18](/acts/14-14-18 "Paul and Barnabas's Rejection of Worship"), is a testament to their unwavering commitment to glorifying God alone.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **priest (Greek, _hiereús'_):** This term refers to a sacred minister, one who officiates at sacrifices and performs other religious rites. In the context of Acts 14:13, it specifically denotes an official of the pagan cult of Jupiter, indicating a recognized and authoritative religious leader within the Lystran community. His role was to mediate between the people and their gods through prescribed rituals.
* **Jupiter (Greek, _Zeús'_):** This is the Greek name for the supreme deity of the Greek pantheon, equivalent to the Roman god Jupiter. He was considered the king of the gods, ruler of Mount Olympus, and god of the sky and thunder. The mention of "Jupiter" here confirms the syncretistic nature of Lystran worship, blending local traditions with dominant Greco-Roman religious structures. The priest's actions are in direct service to this specific, prominent pagan deity.
* **sacrifice (Greek, _thýō'_):** Primarily meaning "to rush (breathe hard, blow, smoke)," this verb by implication refers to the act of sacrificing, often by fire, or generally to immolate or slay for any purpose, especially religious. In this context, it refers to the ritualistic slaughter of animals (oxen) as an offering to the gods, a central act of pagan worship intended to appease or honor deities. The priest "would have done sacrifice," indicating his intention and preparation for this solemn religious act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city,"**: This phrase introduces the central figure of the scene, the chief religious official dedicated to the worship of Jupiter. The geographical detail "which was before their city" suggests the location of Jupiter's temple or a significant altar, likely situated at the city's entrance or a prominent public space, indicating its importance and visibility within the community. This positioning would allow for public, communal worship and ceremonies.
* **"brought oxen and garlands unto the gates,"**: This clause describes the specific preparations for the intended sacrifice. "Oxen" were large, valuable animals, typically used for significant offerings to major deities, symbolizing the gravity and scale of the Lystrans' reverence. "Garlands" were wreaths of flowers or foliage, commonly used in pagan rituals to adorn both the sacrificial animals and the participants or altars, signifying a ceremonial, festive, and sacred atmosphere for the impending ritual. The destination "unto the gates" further emphasizes the public and communal nature of this intended act of worship, as the gates were a common place for public gatherings and entry into the city.
* **"and would have done sacrifice with the people."**: This final clause states the clear intention: the priest, acting on behalf of the Lystran populace, was ready to perform a full sacrificial ceremony. The phrase "would have done sacrifice" (KJV) or "was about to offer sacrifices" (NIV) indicates that the act was imminent and that the people were fully complicit and eager participants in this act of worship, believing Paul and Barnabas to be divine beings. This highlights the collective nature of their misunderstanding and idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 14:13 is rich with **Irony**, as the very people who had just witnessed a miracle performed by the power of the one true God are now preparing to offer sacrifices to the apostles, whom they mistake for pagan deities. The apostles, who preach against idolatry, are paradoxically about to become the objects of it. The presence of "oxen and garlands" serves as powerful **Symbolism**, representing the elaborate and deeply ingrained nature of pagan worship, contrasting sharply with the simple, unadorned truth of the Gospel. The scene also employs **Dramatic Foreshadowing**, as the immediate, fervent adoration of the crowd hints at the equally swift and violent rejection that will follow, demonstrating the fickle nature of human praise when it is not rooted in truth. The phrase "priest of Jupiter, which was before their city" also uses **Metonymy**, where the priest stands in for the entire religious and cultural system of Lystra, emphasizing the institutional nature of their idolatry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal moment in Acts 14 underscores a fundamental theological truth: humanity's innate tendency to worship, often misdirected towards created things or human instruments rather than the Creator Himself. The Lystrans, witnessing a genuine act of divine power, immediately filtered it through their polytheistic worldview, attributing the miracle to their familiar pantheon. This scene serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry, whether it be the overt worship of false gods or the more subtle elevation of human leaders, achievements, or even spiritual experiences above the one true God. The apostles' subsequent, emphatic rejection of this worship (Acts 14:14-18) powerfully models the biblical mandate to give all glory to God alone, affirming His unique sovereignty and the exclusivity of His claim to worship. It highlights the constant need for discernment, ensuring that our praise and devotion are always rightly directed.

* [Romans 1:25](/romans/1-25 "Worshiping the Creature Rather Than the Creator")
* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "The Shema - One God")
* [Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "God Will Not Give His Glory to Another")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 14:13 serves as a profound mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the objects of our own worship and admiration. While literal sacrifices to Jupiter are no longer common, the human heart's propensity for idolatry remains. We must vigilantly guard against elevating charismatic leaders, successful ministries, personal achievements, or even spiritual gifts to a place that rightly belongs only to God. This passage reminds us that true faith directs all glory and adoration to the Lord, recognizing that any good work, healing, or spiritual blessing flows from His power alone. It calls us to humility, ensuring that we never accept praise that is due to God, and to clarity in our communication, always pointing others to Christ as the ultimate source of all truth and power. Our lives, like Paul and Barnabas's, should be a testament to the supremacy of God, ensuring that He, and He alone, receives all honor and glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle ways might I be tempted to give glory or undue admiration to human instruments or achievements rather than to God alone?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of spiritual power and its source?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure that my worship and devotion are always directed solely towards the one true God?**
* **How can I better communicate that any good I do, or any blessing I receive, comes from God and is for His glory?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Lystrians mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods?**

Answer: The Lystrians, steeped in pagan polytheistic beliefs, interpreted Paul's miraculous healing of the lame man through their existing mythological framework. They believed that gods occasionally visited earth in human form. Given their local legends and the distinct roles of the apostles (Barnabas, perhaps older and more imposing, was identified with Jupiter/Zeus, the chief god; Paul, the "chief speaker," with Mercurius/Hermes, the messenger god), their immediate conclusion was that these powerful men were deities. This reaction highlights their spiritual blindness and the deep-seated nature of their idolatry, as they attributed divine power to human agents rather than the one true God who worked through them. This is further elaborated in [Acts 14:11-12](/acts/14-11-12 "The Lystrians' Misinterpretation").

**What was the significance of "the priest of Jupiter" and his actions?**

Answer: The "priest of Jupiter" was a prominent religious official in Lystra, indicating the city's strong allegiance to the Roman/Greek pantheon, particularly to Jupiter (Zeus) as the supreme deity. His actions of bringing "oxen and garlands unto the gates" were standard, solemn preparations for a major pagan sacrifice. Oxen were costly and significant offerings, and garlands were used to adorn sacrificial animals and altars, signifying a formal, public, and deeply religious ceremony. This demonstrates the Lystrians' earnest, albeit misguided, intention to honor what they believed were divine manifestations, reflecting the pervasive influence of pagan worship in their culture and the seriousness with which they approached their deities. The priest's immediate response underscores the community's collective belief and readiness to engage in idolatry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic scene in Acts 14:13, where Paul and Barnabas are mistaken for pagan gods and nearly receive idolatrous worship, profoundly points to Christ in its inverse. The apostles' vehement rejection of this adoration ([Acts 14:14-18](/acts/14-14-18 "Paul and Barnabas's Rejection of Worship")) serves as a powerful testament to the unique and singular claim of Jesus Christ to divine worship. Unlike Paul and Barnabas, who were mere servants, Jesus is the very God incarnate, the one to whom all knees shall bow and every tongue confess ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus")). The Lystrans' desire to worship visible manifestations of power, though misdirected, foreshadows humanity's inherent need to worship the divine. Christ, as the "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Christ, the Image of God")), is the true and perfect revelation of God, worthy of all glory and honor. His sacrifice, unlike the oxen and garlands offered to false gods, was the ultimate, once-for-all atonement for sin, making true communion with God possible ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The apostles' ministry, as exemplified by their refusal to accept worship, consistently redirected attention to the Lord Jesus, establishing Him as the sole object of faith and devotion, thereby fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies of God's exclusive claim to worship ([Isaiah 45:22-23](/isaiah/45-22-23 "Look to Me and Be Saved")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 2:46

¶ Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

Acts 10:25

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him].