Acts 14:12
What does Acts 14:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 14:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 14:12 means
The crowd assigns names: Barnabas as Jupiter and Paul as Mercury, “because he was the chief speaker.” In their mythology, Jupiter (king of the gods) and Mercury (his messenger) sometimes visited humans. Paul’s role as spokesman fits Mercury’s profile, while Barnabas perhaps appeared more dignified, fitting Jupiter. This misidentification illustrates how easily effective ministry can be twisted into personality cults or idolatry when people do not grasp the message. The labels are not compliments but confusions that must be resisted. The apostles will not accept worship, because glory belongs to the Creator alone, not to His servants, however gifted or used.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they gave the name of Jupiter to Barnabas, and to Paul that of Mercury, because he was the chief talker.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862they were calling also Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes, since he was the leader in speaking.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The priest also of Jupiter that was before the city, bringing oxen and garlands before the gate, would have offered sacrifice with the people.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercury, because he took the lead in speaking.
Context
Building on the crowd’s cry in verse 11, verse 12 specifies the pagan framework guiding their response. The naming prepares for official religious action in verse 13, where the priest of Jupiter moves to sacrifice to the apostles. This heightens the crisis and requires immediate, dramatic correction. The following verses (14–15) will show Paul and Barnabas tearing their garments and pleading with the people to turn from “vain things” to the living God. Understanding the cultural assignations here makes their sermon’s starting point—with creation and providence—both necessary and strategic.
v.11And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
v.12This passage
v.13And 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 19:35
And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
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