Acts 14:8–20

Mistaken for Gods in Lystra

⁸In Lystra a man without strength in his feet, lame from birth, ^yand who had never walked, sat ⁹and heard Paul speaking. After observing him closely and seeing that he had faith to be healed, ¹⁰Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” And he jumped up and started to walk around. ^z

¹¹When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the form of men!” ^a12And they started to call Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the main speaker. ¹³Then 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.

¹⁴The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd, shouting: ^b15“Men! Why are you doing these things? We are men also, with the same nature as you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you should turn from these worthless things ^cto the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. ^de16In past generations He allowed all the nations ^fto go their own way, ¹⁷although He did not leave Himself without a witness, ^gsince He did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons ^hand satisfying your ⁱhearts with food and happiness.” ¹⁸Even though they said these things, they barely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them.

¹⁹Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they had won over the crowds and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. ^j20After the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. ^k