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Text -- Acts 14:13 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
14:13 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.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Names, People and Places:
 · Zeus the chief of the pagan Greek gods


Dictionary Themes and Topics: Wreaths | Paul | PRIESTHOOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT | PRIEST | Minister | Lystra | Lycaonia | LOIS | JUPITER | Integrity | Idolatry | Homage | Gates | Garlands | GATE | GARLAND | GALATIANS, EPISTLE TO THE | Barnabas | Altar | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 8-12 | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Act 14:13 - -- Whose temple was before the city ( tou ontos pro tēs pōleōs ). The god (Zeus) is identified with his temple. He had a statue and temple there.

Whose temple was before the city ( tou ontos pro tēs pōleōs ).

The god (Zeus) is identified with his temple. He had a statue and temple there.

Robertson: Act 14:13 - -- Oxen and garlands ( taurous kai stemmata ). Probably garlands to put on the oxen before they were slain. It was common to sacrifice bullocks to Jupit...

Oxen and garlands ( taurous kai stemmata ).

Probably garlands to put on the oxen before they were slain. It was common to sacrifice bullocks to Jupiter and Mercury.

Robertson: Act 14:13 - -- Would have done sacrifice ( ēthelen thuein ). Imperfect indicative, wanted to offer sacrifice. He was planning to do it, and his purpose now became...

Would have done sacrifice ( ēthelen thuein ).

Imperfect indicative, wanted to offer sacrifice. He was planning to do it, and his purpose now became plain to Paul and Barnabas.

Vincent: Act 14:13 - -- Of Jupiter ( τοῦ Διὸς ) Properly, the Jupiter, the tutelary deity of Lystra. It is unnecessary to supply temple, as Rev. The god h...

Of Jupiter ( τοῦ Διὸς )

Properly, the Jupiter, the tutelary deity of Lystra. It is unnecessary to supply temple, as Rev. The god himself was regarded as present in his temple.

Vincent: Act 14:13 - -- The gates ( πυλῶνας ) What gates are intended is uncertain. Some say, the city gates; others, the temple gates; and others, the doo...

The gates ( πυλῶνας )

What gates are intended is uncertain. Some say, the city gates; others, the temple gates; and others, the doors of the house in which Paul and Barnabas were residing. See on Act 12:13.

Wesley: Act 14:13 - -- 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.

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.

JFB: Act 14:11-13 - -- Whether a corruption of the Greek tongue, which was well enough understood in this region, or the remains of some older tongue, is not known.

Whether a corruption of the Greek tongue, which was well enough understood in this region, or the remains of some older tongue, is not known.

JFB: Act 14:11-13 - -- The language of an unsophisticated people. But "that which was a superstition in Lycaonia, and for which the whole "creation" groaned, became a realit...

The language of an unsophisticated people. But "that which was a superstition in Lycaonia, and for which the whole "creation" groaned, became a reality at Bethlehem" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].

JFB: Act 14:13 - -- That is, whose temple stood

That is, whose temple stood

JFB: Act 14:13 - -- To crown the victims and decorate, as on festive occasions, the porches.

To crown the victims and decorate, as on festive occasions, the porches.

Clarke: Act 14:13 - -- Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city - There is a meaning here, which ordinary readers will not readily apprehend. Many cities we...

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city - There is a meaning here, which ordinary readers will not readily apprehend. Many cities were put under the protection of a particular deity; and the image of that deity placed at the entrance, to signify that he was the guardian and protector. To this St. Luke, every where as accurate as he is circumstantial, refers. Lystra, it appears, was under the guardianship of Jupiter Propulaius, Διος προπυλαιου, which St. Luke translates, του Διος οντος της πολεως, the Jupiter that was before the city, which is another term for Jupiter Custos, or Jupiter the guardian. All these deities, according to the attributes they sustained, had their peculiar priests, rites, and sacrifices; and each a peculiar service and priest for the office he bore; so that Jupiter Brontes, Jupiter the thunderer, had a different service from Jupiter Custos, Jove the guardian. Hence we can see with what accuracy St. Luke wrote: the person who was going to offer them sacrifices was the priest of Jupiter Custos, under whose guardianship the city of Lystra was, and whom the priest supposed had visited the city in a human form; and Barnabas, probably for the reasons already assigned, he imagined was the person; and as Mercury, the god of eloquence, was the general attendant of Jupiter, the people and the priest supposed that Paul, who had a powerful, commanding eloquence, was that god, also disguised. A beautiful figure of such an image of Jupiter as, I suppose, stood before the gate of Lystra, still remains; and a fine engraving of it may be seen in Gruter’ s Inscriptions, vol. i. p. xx. Jupiter is represented naked, sitting on a curule or consular chair; in his right hand he holds his thunder, and a long staff in his left; at his right, stands the eagle prepared for flight; and, above, the winged cap and caduceus of Mercury. On the base is the inscription, Iuppiter Custom Domus Aug . Jupiter, the guardian of the house of Augustus. As the preserver or guardian of towns, he was generally styled Jupiter Custos, Serenus and Servator. His name, Jupiter, i.e. jurans pater , the helping father, entitled him, in those days of darkness, to general regard. On this false god, who long engrossed the worship of even the most enlightened nations on the earth, much may be seen in Lactantius, Divinar. Institution. lib. i., in the Antiquite expliquee of Montfaucon; and various inscriptions, relative to his character as guardian, etc., may be seen in Gruter, as above

Clarke: Act 14:13 - -- Oxen and garlands - That is, oxen adorned with flowers, their horns gilded, and neck bound about with fillets, as was the custom in sacrificial rite...

Oxen and garlands - That is, oxen adorned with flowers, their horns gilded, and neck bound about with fillets, as was the custom in sacrificial rites. They also crowned the gods themselves, the priests, and gates of the temples, with flowers. Of this method of adorning the victims, there are numerous examples in the Greek and Latin writers. A few may suffice. Thus Ovid: -

Victima labe carens et praestantissima form

Sistitur ante aras; et vittis praesignis et auro

Ovid, Met. lib. xv. ver. 130

The fairest victim must the powers appease

So fatal ‘ tis sometimes too much to please

A purple filet his broad brow adorn

With flowery garlands, crown, and gilded horns

Dryden

Huic Anius niveis circumdata tempora vittis

Concutiens, et tristis ait ; -

Ibid. lib. xiii. ver. 643

The royal prophet shook his hoary head

With fillets bound; and, sighing, thus he said -

Calcott

- fovet ignibus aras,

Muneribus deos implet: feriuntque secures

Colla torosa boum vinctorum cornua vittis

Ibid. lib. vii. ver. 427

Rich curling fumes of incense feast the skies

A hecatomb of voted victims dies

With gilded horns, and garlands on their head

In all the pomp of death to th’ altar led

Tate

Virgil also refers to the same rites and circumstances: -

Saepe in honore deum medio stans hostia ad aram

Lanea dum nivea circumdatur infula vitta,

Inter cunctantes cecidit moribunda ministros

Virg. Georg. lib. iii. ver. 486

The victim ox that was for altars pressed

Trimmed with white ribbons, and with garlands dressed

Sunk of himself, without the god’ s command

Preventing the slow sacrificer’ s hand

Dryden

Many similar examples may be seen in Wetstein and others

At the time of worship, the Hindoo priests place garlands of flowers on the head of the image. Whether the garlands were intended to decorate the oxen or the apostles, we cannot say; but in either case the conduct of the Lycaonians was conformable to that of the modern Hindoos.

Calvin: Act 14:13 - -- 13.Also Jupiter’s priest Though Luke doth not express with what affection he [this priest] was moved to be so diligent, yet it is to be thought, th...

13.Also Jupiter’s priest Though Luke doth not express with what affection he [this priest] was moved to be so diligent, yet it is to be thought, that, forasmuch as there was great hope of most plentiful gain offered, he was moved with covetousness. For he had great hope of gain in time to come, if it should be noised abroad that Jupiter appeared there. For this opinion would by and by have followed, that Jupiter was more delighted in the temple of Lystra than in any other. And so soon as such superstition hath once filled the minds of men, they spare no cost to offer sacrifice. − 28 The world is indeed of itself inclined to this, but then came the sacrificing priests, who are like fans and bellows. And it is not to be doubted, but that the whole multitude was moved with ambition, to be so desirous to offer sacrifice to Paul under the name of Jupiter, that their city might be the more famous and noble. Hence hath Satan so great liberty [license] to deceive, whilst that the sacrificing priests set nets to get gain, and the people are delighted to have errors confirmed.

TSK: Act 14:13 - -- and would : Act 10:25; Dan 2:46

and would : Act 10:25; Dan 2:46

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Act 14:13 - -- Then the priest of Jupiter - He whose office it was to conduct the worship of Jupiter by offering sacrifices, etc. Which was before their ...

Then the priest of Jupiter - He whose office it was to conduct the worship of Jupiter by offering sacrifices, etc.

Which was before their city - The word "which"here refers not to the priest, but to Jupiter. The temple or image of Jupiter was in front of their city, or near the gates. Ancient cities were supposed to be under the protection of particular gods; and their image, or a temple for their worship, was placed commonly in a conspicuous place at the entrance of the city.

Brought oxen - Probably brought two one to be sacrificed to each. It was common to sacrifice bullocks to Jupiter.

And garlands - The victims of sacrifice were usually decorated with ribbons and chaplets of flowers. See Kuinoel.

Unto the gates - The gates of the city, where were the images or temple of the gods.

Would have done sacrifice - Would have offered sacrifice to Barnabas and Paul. This the priest deemed a part of his office. And here we have a remarkable and most affecting instance of the folly and stupidity of idolatry.

Poole: Act 14:13 - -- Before their city the temple of Jupiter, whom they took for the patron of their city, was in the suburbs. Garlands these were usually in the form o...

Before their city the temple of Jupiter, whom they took for the patron of their city, was in the suburbs.

Garlands these were usually in the form of crowns put upon the oxen which they intended to sacrifice; and, by this sign, showed that they were dedicated to Jupiter, whom the heathen blasphemously called, The king of kings, and placed him sitting in his chair, or throne, with a crown on his head.

Unto the gates the gates or doors of the house where the apostles lodged.

Gill: Act 14:13 - -- Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city,.... Not that the priest was before the city, but Jupiter; and the phrase denotes either his p...

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city,.... Not that the priest was before the city, but Jupiter; and the phrase denotes either his presidency over the city, and so the Arabic version renders it, "who was the chief god of their city"; or the place where his image stood, which was out of the city, and so may be said to be before it; accordingly the Syriac version renders it, "who was without the city"; he who officiated as priest to him:

brought oxen and garlands unto the gates; either "of the city", as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions add, where was the statue of Jupiter; or else, and which is most likely, he brought them to the gates of the house, where Paul and Barnabas were; and to this sense the Syriac version renders it, "to the door of the dwelling place where they abode": what the oxen were brought for is easy to conceive, had it not been expressed; but for what should garlands or crowns be brought? These were used in sacrifices, for different purposes; sometimes they crowned the gods t, to whom they sacrificed, and these might be brought to be put upon the heads of Paul and Barnabas; and sometimes the priests wore them u, and which seems to be in imitation of the mitre, wore by the high priest among the Jews; and sometimes even those who came to sacrifice, and implore the assistance of their deities, wore them w; likewise the altars on which they offered sacrifice were crowned with these garlands x; and the sacrifices themselves, and which last seems to be the case here: the garlands were brought to be put upon the oxen; and these were for the most part made of cypress; sometimes of the pine tree, and sometimes of other leaves and flowers, such as were peculiar to the gods y: and there was something like this among the Jews, at the offerings of their first fruits, which were done in this manner z;

"they that were nearest (to Jerusalem) brought green figs and grapes; and they that were more remote brought dried figs and raisins; and an ox went before them, whose horns were covered with gold, ועטרת של זית, "and a crown of olives" on his head; a pipe sounded before them, till they came near to Jerusalem, and then they sent some before them, who "crowned" their first fruits.''

And would have done sacrifice with the people; that is, the priest and the people with him, would have offered sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas, as to two deities; and the Syriac and Ethiopic versions add, "to them"; to both the apostles, with which agrees the Arabic version.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Act 14:13 The words “to them” are not in the Greek text, but are clearly implied by the response of Paul and Barnabas in the following verse.

Geneva Bible: Act 14:13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the ( d ) gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Act 14:1-28 - --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 th...

Combined Bible: Act 14:13 - --The people felt the warmest gratitude for the visit of their supposed gods, and gave expression to their feeling in the most approved method. (13) " T...

Maclaren: Act 14:11-22 - --Deified And Stoned And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down t...

MHCC: Act 14:8-18 - --All things are possible to those that believe. When we have faith, that most precious gift of God, we shall be delivered from the spiritual helplessne...

Matthew Henry: Act 14:8-18 - -- In these verses we have, I. A miraculous cure wrought by Paul at Lystra upon a cripple that had been lame from his birth, such a one as was miraculo...

Barclay: Act 14:8-18 - --At Lystra Paul and Barnabas were involved in a strange incident. The explanation of their being taken for gods lies in the legendary history of Lycao...

Constable: Act 9:32--Rom 1:1 - --III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31 Luke next recorded the church's expansion beyond...

Constable: Act 12:25--16:6 - --B. The extension of the church to Cyprus and Asia Minor 12:25-16:5 Luke recorded that Jesus came to brin...

Constable: Act 13:13--14:26 - --3. The mission to Asia Minor 13:13-14:25 Having evangelized Barnabas' homeland the missionaries ...

Constable: Act 14:8-20 - --Ministry in Lystra 14:8-20a 14:8 Like Antioch of Pisidia, Lystra (modern Zoldera) was a Roman colony.580 It was the most eastern of the fortified citi...

College: Act 14:1-28 - --ACTS 14 8. The Visit to Iconium (14:1-7) 1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively tha...

McGarvey: Act 14:13 - --13. The people felt the warmest gratitude for the visit of their supposed gods, and gave expression to their feeling in the most approved method. (13)...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES By Way of Introduction But for the Acts we should know nothing of the early apostolic period save what is told in the Epi...

JFB: Acts (Book Introduction) THIS book is to the Gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. In the Gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying: in...

JFB: Acts (Outline) INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) RETURN OF THE ELEVEN TO JERUSALEM--PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER ROOM TILL PEN...

TSK: Acts (Book Introduction) The Acts of the Apostles is a most valuable portion of Divine revelation; and, independently of its universal reception in the Christian church, as an...

TSK: Acts 14 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Act 14:1, Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium; Act 14:8, At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods; Ac...

Poole: Acts 14 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 14

MHCC: Acts (Book Introduction) This book unites the Gospels to the Epistles. It contains many particulars concerning the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Christian church from th...

MHCC: Acts 14 (Chapter Introduction) (Act 14:1-7) Paul and Barnabas at Iconium. (Act 14:8-18) A cripple healed at Lystra, The people would have sacrificed to Paul and Barnabas. (Act 14:...

Matthew Henry: Acts (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Acts of the Apostles We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion...

Matthew Henry: Acts 14 (Chapter Introduction) We have, in this chapter, a further account of the progress of the gospel, by the ministry of Paul and Barnabas among the Gentiles; it goes on conq...

Barclay: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES A Precious Book In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth t...

Barclay: Acts 14 (Chapter Introduction) On To Iconium (Act_14:1-7) The Courage Of Paul (Act_14:19-20) Confirming The Church (Act_14:21-28)

Constable: Acts (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcioni...

Constable: Acts (Outline) Outline I. The witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7 A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:46 ...

Constable: Acts Acts Bibliography Albright, William Foxwell. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeolog...

Haydock: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. St. Luke, who had published his gospel, wrote also a second volume, which, from the first ages, hath bee...

Gill: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ACTS This book, in some copies, is called, "The Acts of the holy Apostles". It contains an history of the ministry and miracles of ...

College: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION As early as the second century the title "The Acts of the Apostles" was given to this document. Before that time the work probably circu...

College: Acts (Outline) OUTLINE I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM - 1:1-8:1a A. INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK - 1:1-3 B. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE APOSTLES - 1:4-8 C. THE ASCENSI...

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