Bible Trivia Question
What's the Answer?
Which gods did the people of Lystra think Paul and Barnabas were?
Jupiter and Mercury
Apollo and Mars
Saturn and Janus
Find this question in our Acts of the Apostles Bible Quiz
Click to reveal the answerThe answer is: Jupiter and Mercury
Acts 14:12 - also Zeus and Hermes in the Greek.
In Acts 14, we witness an interesting twist as Paul and Barnabas embark on their missionary travels. When they heal a lame man in Lystra, the locals, steeped in their own beliefs, mistakenly recognize them as the gods Jupiter (Zeus) and Mercury (Hermes). It’s amusing yet telling how the human mind often defaults to the recognizable and the familiar, even creating caricatures of persecution!
This ancient town didn’t have the Jewish traditions shaping their beliefs, so to them these two apostles shone brightly as representatives of divine beings. Jupiter, known as the king of the gods, was associated with rain and sky, while Mercury facilitated communication between gods and humans, much like how Paul and Barnabas were spreading messages on behalf of the divine.
Across Greek literature and mythology, these references resonate with Hermes being the quick-footed trickster, echoing later themes in stories of quick early followers spreading hurried news. Additionally, there’s an eerie reflection on how even today, many assume symbols or figures represent divine acts or motives, pointing to our innate search for understanding and connection to a higher power.
The quick turn to idolatry by the townspeople teaches a valuable lesson about perception vs. reality in our search for faith. Rather than seeking celebrity status, Paul and Barnabas redirect all glory back to the true God, stressing humility over human pride. This callback to their humble beginnings is a farewell to boasting and an invitation to genuine faith.
Similar Bible Trivia Questions
In which city were Paul and Barnabas worshipped as gods?
Lystra
Antioch
Derbe
What was the name of the god that Barnabas was called at Lystra?
Apollo
Eros
Jupiter
Cripple
Blind man
Dumb man
Paul and Barnabas prayed and sang hymns to God at midnight before an earthquake shook the prison
False
Burn them
Throw them in the sea
Bury them in the tombs
When Samuel was called by the Lord as a child, who did he think was calling?
Eli
Moses
Hannah
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on water, what did they think he was?
A magician
A Pharisee
A seller of purple
What did Jacob think had happened to Joseph?
His brothers had killed him
Strangers stole him away
An evil beast devoured him
Who was well reported of at Lystra?
Titus
Barnabas
Timothy
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and ____, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.