Acts 14:13
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles.

English Standard Version
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.

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.

Berean Literal Bible
And the priest of Zeus, being just outside the city, having brought oxen and wreaths to the gates, was desiring with the crowds to sacrifice.

King James Bible
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 King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
Moreover, 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.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
And 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.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and was wanting to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

Amplified Bible
The priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance of the city, brought bulls and garlands to the city gates, and wanted to offer sacrifices with the crowds.

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the town, brought oxen and garlands to the gates. He, with the crowds, intended to offer sacrifice.

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.

Contemporary English Version
The temple of Zeus was near the entrance to the city. Its priest and the crowds wanted to offer a sacrifice to Barnabas and Paul. So the priest brought some bulls and flowers to the city gates.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Zeus' temple was at the entrance to the city. The priest of the god Zeus brought bulls with flowery wreaths around their necks to the temple gates. The priest and the crowd wanted to offer a sacrifice [to Paul and Barnabas].

Good News Translation
The priest of the god Zeus, whose temple stood just outside the town, brought bulls and flowers to the gate, for he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice to the apostles.

International Standard Version
The priest of the temple of Zeus, which was just outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the gates. He and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifices.

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

NET Bible
The priest of the temple of Zeus, located just outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the city gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

New Heart English Bible
The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the crowds.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the priest of Jupiter, who was before their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

Weymouth New Testament
And the priest of Zeus--the temple of Zeus being at the entrance to the city--brought bullocks and garlands to the gates, and in company with the crowd was intending to offer sacrifices to them.

World English Bible
The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the priest of the Zeus that is before their city, having brought oxen and garlands to the porches, wished to sacrifice with the multitudes,

Berean Literal Bible
And the priest of Zeus, being just outside the city, having brought oxen and wreaths to the gates, was desiring with the crowds to sacrifice.

Young's Literal Translation
And the priest of the Zeus that is before their city, oxen and garlands unto the porches having brought, with the multitudes did wish to sacrifice,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jupiter's priest, being before their city, having brought bulls and crowns to the gates, wished to sacrifice with the crowd.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The priest also of Jupiter that was before the city, bringing oxen and garlands before the gate, would have offered sacrifice with the people.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Also, the priest of Jupiter, who was outside the city, in front of the gate, bringing in oxen and garlands, was willing to offer sacrifice with the people.

New American Bible
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.

New Revised Standard Version
The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the priest of the chief of gods whose shrine was outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gate of the courtyard where they stayed, and he wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And The Priest of The Lord of the gods, who was outside the city, brought bulls and garlands to the gates of the courtyard where they were staying and he wanted to sacrifice to them.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then the priest of Jupiter, whose temple was before the city, having brought bulls and garlands to the entrance, in tended to offer sacrifice, with the multitudes.

Godbey New Testament
And the priest of Jupiter, being in front of the city, having brought oxen and garlands to the gate, wished to offer sacrifices to them, along with the multitudes.

Haweis New Testament
Then the priest of Jupiter, who was the presiding deity of their city, brought bulls and garlands unto the gates of the city, and intended to offer a sacrifice with the people.

Mace New Testament
even the priest of Jupiter, whose statue was at the city-gates, brought oxen and garlands there, and together with the people, would have offer'd sacrifice to the apostles.

Weymouth New Testament
And the priest of Zeus--the temple of Zeus being at the entrance to the city--brought bullocks and garlands to the gates, and in company with the crowd was intending to offer sacrifices to them.

Worrell New Testament
And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, having brought oxen and garlands to the gates, together with the multitudes, was wishing to offer sacrifice.

Worsley New Testament
And the priest of Jupiter, whose image was before the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and with the people would have offered sacrifices to them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Visit to Lystra and Derbe
12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 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. 14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,…

Cross References
1 Kings 18:26-29
And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ...

Exodus 32:4-6
He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” / When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before the calf and proclaimed: “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” / So the next day they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

1 Corinthians 8:5-6
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

2 Kings 17:29-31
Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places. / The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, / the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim.

Isaiah 44:13-20
The woodworker extends a measuring line; he marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He fashions it in the likeness of man, like man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. / He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. / It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread. He also fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. ...

Jeremiah 10:3-5
For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

2 Corinthians 6:16
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

Deuteronomy 12:30-31
be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” / You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

Psalm 115:4-8
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...

Psalm 135:15-18
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...

Hosea 8:5-6
He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? / For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.

Revelation 9:20
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

Revelation 13:14-15
Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived. / The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.


Treasury of Scripture

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

and would.

Acts 10:25
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

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.

Jump to Previous
Bullocks Bulls City Company Crowd Doors Entrance Flowers Front Garlands Gates Image Intending Jupiter Multitudes Offer Offering Outside Oxen Porches Priest Sacrifice Temple Wanted Wish Wreaths Zeus
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Bullocks Bulls City Company Crowd Doors Entrance Flowers Front Garlands Gates Image Intending Jupiter Multitudes Offer Offering Outside Oxen Porches Priest Sacrifice Temple Wanted Wish Wreaths Zeus
Acts 14
1. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium.
8. At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods.
19. Paul is stoned.
21. They pass through various churches, confirming the disciples in faith and patience.
26. Returning to Antioch, they report what God had done with them.














The priest of Zeus
The mention of "the priest of Zeus" indicates the presence of organized pagan worship in Lystra, where this event takes place. Zeus was the chief deity in the Greek pantheon, often associated with power and authority. The Greek word for priest, "hiereus," suggests a person dedicated to performing religious rites. This highlights the cultural and religious context of the time, where polytheism was prevalent, and the priest played a crucial role in mediating between the gods and the people.

whose temple was just outside the city
The location of the temple "just outside the city" suggests that the worship of Zeus was an integral part of the community's life, yet physically set apart, perhaps to maintain a sacred space. Archaeological findings often reveal that temples were strategically placed to be accessible yet distinct from daily life, emphasizing the separation between the divine and the mundane. This setting underscores the challenge faced by early Christians in spreading the Gospel amidst deeply entrenched pagan practices.

brought bulls and wreaths
The act of bringing "bulls and wreaths" is significant in ancient sacrificial rituals. Bulls were considered valuable offerings, symbolizing strength and wealth, while wreaths, often made of laurel or olive branches, were used to honor deities. The Greek word for wreath, "stephanos," can also mean a crown, indicating a gesture of reverence and celebration. This reflects the people's desire to honor what they perceived as divine manifestations, showing their misunderstanding of the true nature of Paul and Barnabas's mission.

to the city gates
The "city gates" were not only entry points but also places of public gathering and decision-making. Bringing the offerings to the gates signifies a public declaration and communal participation in the intended sacrifice. In biblical times, city gates were often where leaders met, judgments were made, and significant events occurred, highlighting the importance of this location in the narrative.

because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them
The phrase "wanted to offer sacrifices to them" reveals the crowd's reaction to the miraculous healing performed by Paul and Barnabas, mistaking them for gods. The Greek word for sacrifice, "thusia," involves the act of offering something valuable to a deity. This reflects the people's polytheistic worldview, where divine intervention was attributed to familiar gods, and their response was to honor these perceived deities through sacrifice. This misunderstanding sets the stage for Paul and Barnabas to clarify their message and redirect the people's worship to the one true God.

(13) The priest of Jupiter, which was before their city.--The latter clause probably describes the position of the Temple of Zeus, standing at the entrance of the city, as the shrine of its protecting deity. The identical phrase used by St. Luke is found in Greek inscriptions at Ephesus.

Brought oxen and garlands unto the gates.--The garlands were the well-known vittae, so familiar to us in ancient sculptures, commonly made of white wool, sometimes interwoven with leaves and flowers. The priests, attendants, doors, and altars were often decorated in the same way. The "gates" (the form of the Greek implying that they were the folding-doors of a large entrance) were probably those which led into the atrium, or court-yard, of the house where the Apostles were dwelling. The whole action is well represented in Raphael's well-known cartoon. Oxen were, in Greek ritual, the right victims for both Zeus and Hermes.

Would have done sacrifice with the people.--This would have involved cutting the throats of the oxen, catching the blood in a patera, or deep dish, and pouring it upon an altar. There may have been such an altar in the atrium, or one may have been improvised for the occasion.

Verse 13. - And for then, A.V.; whose temple was before the city for which was before their city, A.V. and T.R.; the multitudes for the people, A.V., as in ver. 12. The priest of Jupiter. The words, ὁ δὲ ἱερεὺς τοῦ Διὸς τοῦ ὄντες κ.τ.λ., may be construed in two ways - either as in the A.V., or the priest of the temple of Jupiter, etc., understanding, by a common ellipse, ἱεροῦ, or, ναοῦ, after Διός, as in the Latin phrase," Ubi ad Dianae veneris;" "When you come to the temple of Diana," etc. But it is not a Greek phrase to speak of Jupiter being before the city, meaning the temple of Jupiter. Therefore the proper way of translating is to take the full phrase as being ὁ ἱερεὺς τοῦ Διός ναοῦ or ἰεροῦ, the article τοῦ belonging to ναοῦ, and Διός being, as in so many instances, without the article (see Matthew, 'Gr. Gr.,' 281). The gates; viz. of the city. The temple was just outside the gates; the lame man, it is likely, sat inside near the gates through which men were passing in and out. Paul and Barnabas would address the -people in the square or open space inside the gates. Seeing a stir at the gates, and hearing that it was the priest of Jupiter coming with oxen and garlands to sacrifice to them, they immediately ran forward to prevent it. The ox was the proper sacrifice for Jupiter.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

priest
ἱερεὺς (hiereus)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2409: A priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.). From hieros; a priest.

of Zeus,
Διὸς (Dios)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2203: Zeus, the Greek god of the sky in all its manifestations, corresponding to the Roman Jupiter and to the leading god of the native Lycaonians.

[whose temple] was
ὄντος (ontos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

just outside
πρὸ (pro)
Preposition
Strong's 4253: A primary preposition; 'fore', i.e. In front of, prior to.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

city,
πόλεως (poleōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

brought
ἐνέγκας (enenkas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5342: To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. A primary verb.

bulls
ταύρους (taurous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5022: A bull, an ox. Apparently a primary word; a bullock.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

wreaths
στέμματα (stemmata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4725: A garland, wreath, crown. From the base of stephanos; a wreath for show.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[city] gates,
πυλῶνας (pylōnas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4440: From pule; a gate-way, door-way of a building or city; by implication, a portal or vestibule.

hoping
ἤθελεν (ēthelen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to offer a sacrifice
θύειν (thyein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2380: A primary verb; properly, to rush, i.e. to sacrifice; by extension to immolate.

along with
σὺν (syn)
Preposition
Strong's 4862: With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.

the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

crowds.
ὄχλοις (ochlois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.


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Acts 14:12
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