Verse (Click for Chapter) 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. Berean Annotated 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. 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. 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe 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. 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 VersionAnd 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 BibleThe 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 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 BibleThen 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 TestamentThen 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 The priest of Zeus 2 Kings 23:5 Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. 2 Kings 17:32-33 So the new residents worshiped the LORD, but they also appointed for themselves priests of all sorts to serve in the shrines of the high places. / They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away. 1 Corinthians 10:20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. whose temple was just outside the city Hebrews 13:12-13 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood. / Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore. Exodus 33:7-11 Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it at a distance outside the camp. He called it the Tent of Meeting, and anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp. / Then, whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would stand at the entrances to their own tents and watch Moses until he entered the tent. / As Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and remain at the entrance, and the LORD would speak with Moses. … Deuteronomy 12:2-5 Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. / Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. / You shall not worship the LORD your God in this way. … brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates 1 Kings 18:23-24 Get two bulls for us. Let the prophets of Baal choose one bull for themselves, cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. And I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. / Then you may call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered, “What you say is good.” Leviticus 4:3-5 If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. / He must bring the bull to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and slaughter it before the LORD. / Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull’s blood and bring it into the Tent of Meeting. Psalm 118:27 The LORD is God; He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. hoping to offer a sacrifice along with the crowds Exodus 32:5-8 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. / Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. … Daniel 3:4-7 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “O people of every nation and language, this is what you are commanded: / As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. / And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.” … Psalm 106:28-29 They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods. / So they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds, and a plague broke out among them. 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. 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. 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 ZeusJump to Next 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 ZeusActs 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 In the ancient city of Lystra, the worship of Greek gods was prevalent, with Zeus being one of the chief deities. The presence of a priest dedicated to Zeus indicates the strong influence of Hellenistic religion in the region. This reflects the syncretism common in Roman provinces, where local and Greek deities were often worshipped alongside Roman gods. The priest's involvement underscores the seriousness of the event, as religious leaders played a central role in public worship and sacrifices. whose temple was just outside the city brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates hoping to offer a sacrifice along with the crowds Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul and BarnabasApostles who were spreading the Gospel and performing miracles, which led the people of Lystra to mistakenly believe they were gods. 2. The Priest of Zeus A religious leader in Lystra who, influenced by the crowd's reaction to Paul and Barnabas, attempted to offer sacrifices to them as if they were deities. 3. Lystra A city in the region of Lycaonia where Paul and Barnabas were preaching. It was a place with a strong pagan influence, as evidenced by the presence of a temple to Zeus. 4. Zeus The chief deity in Greek mythology, worshipped by the people of Lystra. The priest's actions reflect the syncretistic religious practices of the time. 5. Bulls and Wreaths Items used in sacrificial rituals, indicating the seriousness of the people's intention to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods. Teaching Points Understanding Cultural ContextsRecognize the importance of understanding the cultural and religious backgrounds of those we are trying to reach with the Gospel. Paul and Barnabas faced a challenge in Lystra due to the people's pagan beliefs. Guarding Against Idolatry Even today, we must be vigilant against modern forms of idolatry, which can manifest in various ways, such as materialism or the elevation of individuals to god-like status. Redirecting Worship to God Like Paul and Barnabas, we should always redirect any praise or admiration we receive back to God, acknowledging Him as the source of all good things. The Power of Miracles and Misunderstanding Miracles can draw attention to the Gospel, but they can also lead to misunderstandings if not properly explained. Clear communication of the Gospel message is essential. Responding to Misguided Worship When faced with misguided worship or beliefs, respond with truth and love, guiding people towards a correct understanding of God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 14:13?2. How does Acts 14:13 illustrate the misunderstanding of divine worship by the pagans? 3. What lessons can we learn from Paul and Barnabas's response to idolatry? 4. How can Acts 14:13 guide us in addressing modern forms of idolatry? 5. What Old Testament teachings relate to the prohibition of idol worship in Acts 14:13? 6. How can we ensure our worship remains focused on God, not cultural influences? 7. Why did the priest of Zeus bring bulls and wreaths to the city gates in Acts 14:13? 8. How does Acts 14:13 reflect the cultural influence of Greek mythology on early Christian communities? 9. What does Acts 14:13 reveal about the challenges faced by Paul and Barnabas in spreading Christianity? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 14? 11. Where is Lystra mentioned in the Bible? 12. Joshua 5:13–15: What evidence supports a divine “commander” appearing to Joshua, and how does this align with other biblical accounts of angelic encounters? 13. Is Zeus mentioned in the Bible? 14. What were the key events in Paul's First Missionary Journey? What Does Acts 14:13 Mean The priest of Zeus• At Lystra, the locals interpret Paul’s miracle (Acts 14:8–10) through their own mythology, calling Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes” (Acts 14:11–12). • A priest of Zeus immediately steps into the scene—evidence that idolatry permeated local culture (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:5). • His involvement shows how quickly religious leaders can endorse error when the true God is unrecognized (Jeremiah 2:11). whose temple was just outside the city • The sanctuary’s location underscores how pagan worship was woven into daily life yet physically distinct from the civic center—idolatry sitting on the doorstep (Deuteronomy 12:29–31). • Israel had been warned against high places “outside the city”; here, the same danger now faces the fledgling church (2 Kings 17:9). • The nearness of false worship highlights the urgency of proclaiming the gospel everywhere, even in seemingly marginal spaces (Acts 1:8). brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates • Bulls symbolize a costly, celebratory sacrifice, mirroring Old Testament offerings yet directed to a false god (Exodus 32:4–6). • Wreaths (garlands) were festive decorations used in Greco-Roman rituals, signaling a public, joyous event (cf. Revelation 4:4 for a contrasting heavenly crown). • The “city gates” served as the public square; displaying bulls and wreaths there invited collective participation, illustrating peer pressure toward idolatry (Daniel 3:4–6). hoping to offer a sacrifice along with the crowds • The priest’s plan unites religious authority and popular enthusiasm—an alliance that can swiftly lead masses astray (Mark 15:11-13). • Paul and Barnabas will react by tearing their clothes and preaching the living God, refusing any glory that belongs only to Him (Acts 14:14-15; Isaiah 42:8). • The incident foreshadows later challenges: believers must continually reject cultural accolades that compete with God’s honor (Galatians 1:10). summary Acts 14:13 captures the immediate, coordinated response of pagan leadership and populace when God’s power is misunderstood. A zealous priest, a nearby temple, elaborate sacrificial symbols, and a willing crowd converge to direct worship away from the true Creator. The verse warns that spectacular works of God can be hijacked by entrenched idolatry and reminds believers to redirect all honor to Christ alone (Revelation 19:10). (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 Theὅ (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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