The answer is: Jupiter

Acts 14:12

When the crowd in Lystra saw Paul heal a lame man, they went wild! They thought Barnabas was a god and named him Jupiter, reflecting the key god in Roman mythology, known for his power and might—quite the title! This is not surprising, as in the ancient world, marvels were often attributed to deities. Barnabas, with his warm demeanor, perhaps radiated a larger-than-life aura to the captivated people.

Interestingly, part of the problem here was the clash of cultural understandings; Greeks would mix up the Christian message with their own belief systems. Plus, calling Barnabas Mary "the one worthy of sacrifice” plays into the nature of how stories circulate in various traditions. It’s a neat reminder that listeners interpret messages through their own lens, something still true today.

There’s a parallel between this decisive encounter in Lystra and the rejection that both Paul and Barnabas faced elsewhere on their journey. After all, while the people raised them up into possible divine status one moment, they also frantically turned against them shortly later (Acts 14:19).

This moment continues to echo across scriptures, as gospel moments become portals to sharpen evangelistic focus. Thus, the transformative power of stories—not just of gods, but of community itself—twists and turns through different cultures, bringing profound lessons on humility and the human experience whenever mortals are mistakenly equated with divine.