11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 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.
Verses 11 through 13 show the response of the audience at Lystra to the healing of the crippled man.
14:11
Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language,
The miracle of healing the lame man caused the people of Lystra to shout out in their native language. The apostles probably did not understand their language.
“The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
The Laconians shouted that Paul and Barnabas were gods who had come down from heaven and took on the form of men. They may have referred to a well-known legend in Lystra, whereby Zeus and Hermes came to the Phrygian hill country disguised as human beings. They asked for housing from a thousand homes, but no one took them in except for Philemon and Baucis, an elderly couple. The gods then turned their home into a temple with a golden roof and marble columns, whereas the inhospitable homes they destroyed. This legend was probably the background of the people in Lystra, causing them to worship Paul and Barnabas.
14:12
And Barnabas they called Zeus,
The crowd named Barnabas after the Greek god “Zeus.” Zeus was the lead god of the pantheon in Greek mythology.
and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
They named Paul after the Greek god “Hermes,” the god of interpretation who delivered messages. Since Paul was the speaker, “Hermes” was the proper name for him from their system of gods.
14:13
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.
A priest from the temple of Zeus prepared animal sacrifices of bulls and wreaths for the apostles, the so-called gods.
PRINCIPLE:
Satan is in the business of false religion.
APPLICATION:
Most people respond to a miracle positively. However, the response in Acts 14:11-13 was inappropriate. The crowd identified the apostles as Greek gods. Satan constantly attempts to commit people to false religion.
