Acts 14:12

“And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.”

King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations

And they called Barnabas Iupiter, and Paul Mercurius, because hee was the chiefe speaker.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

And they {began} calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And they gave the name of Jupiter to Barnabas, and to Paul that of Mercury, because he was the chief talker.
- Basic English Bible

And they called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercury, because he took the lead in speaking.
- Darby Bible

And they called Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
- Webster's Bible

They called Barnabas `Zeus,' and Paul, as being the principal speaker, `Hermes.'
- Weymouth Bible

They called Barnabas "Jupiter," and Paul "Mercury," because he was the chief speaker.
- World English Bible

And the preest of Jubiter that was bifor the citee, brouyte boolis and crownes bifor the yatis, with puplis, and wolde haue maad sacrifice.
- Wycliffe Bible

they were calling also Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes, since he was the leader in speaking.
- Youngs Literal Bible

Bible commentary

Wesley's Notes for Acts 14:12


14:11 The gods are come down - Which the heathens supposed they frequently did; Jupiter especially. But how amazingly does the prince of darkness blind the minds of them that believe not! The Jews would not own Christ's Godhead, though they saw him work numberless miracles. On the other hand, the heathens seeing mere men work one miracle, were for deifying them immediately.

14:13 The priest of Jupiter - Whose temple and image were just without the gate of the city, brought garlands - To put on the victims, and bulls - The usual offerings to Jupiter.

14:14 They sprang in among the people, crying out - As in a fire, or other sudden and great danger.


People's Bible Notes for Acts 14:12


Ac 14:12 Called Barnabas, Jupiter. The chief of the gods in the Greek and Roman Pantheon. Barnabas was no doubt a more stately man than Paul, who says that his own "bodily presence was weak and speech contemptible" (2Co 10:10), and there was also a reason why they thought Paul, Mercurius. Mercury was the "interpreter of the gods". His Greek name, "Hermes", is the origin of our word "Hermeneutics". Paul, eloquent, persuasive, active, was thought to represent the part of Mercury.

Discussion for Acts 14:12

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