King James Version

What Does Acts 14:11 Mean?

Acts 14:11 in the King James Version says “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 to us in the likeness of men.

Acts 14:11 · KJV


Context

9

The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10

Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

11

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 to us in the likeness of men.

12

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

13

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The crowd's response—The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men—reveals pagan mythology's grip on Lycaonian thinking. Speaking in the speech of Lycaonia (Λυκαονιστὶ) meant Paul and Barnabas initially didn't understand the danger, creating dramatic irony. Local legend held that Zeus and Hermes had visited this region disguised as men, refused hospitality, and destroyed the inhabitants—only Baucis and Philemon survived by welcoming them.

The Greek homoiōthentes (made like) shows they believed deity temporarily assumed human form, not incarnation. This polytheistic interpretation completely missed the miracle's true significance: the God of Israel healing through His messengers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ovid's Metamorphoses (written decades before) recounts the Zeus/Hermes legend about this very region. The Lycaonians' cultural memory of divine visitation made them eager not to repeat their ancestors' mistake. The language barrier initially prevented Paul and Barnabas from understanding the crisis developing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does cultural background shape how people interpret God's works today?
  2. What safeguards prevent the church from turning ministers into objects of worship?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
οἵ1 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 21

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ὄχλοι3 of 21

when the people

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

ἰδόντες4 of 21

saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

5 of 21

what

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐποίησεν6 of 21

had done

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

7 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Παῦλος8 of 21

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

ἐπῆραν9 of 21

they lifted up

G1869

to raise up (literally or figuratively)

τὴν10 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φωνὴν11 of 21

voices

G5456

a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language

αὐτῶν12 of 21
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Λυκαονιστὶ13 of 21

in the speech of Lycaonia

G3072

lycaonistically, i.e., in the language of the lycaonians

λέγοντες14 of 21

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Οἱ15 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοὶ16 of 21

The gods

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ὁμοιωθέντες17 of 21

in the likeness

G3666

to assimilate, i.e., compare; passively, to become similar

ἀνθρώποις18 of 21

of men

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

κατέβησαν19 of 21

are come down

G2597

to descend (literally or figuratively)

πρὸς20 of 21

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ἡμᾶς21 of 21

us

G2248

us


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 14:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 14:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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