Verse MeaningActsEasy to understand
Acts 14:13: Meaning Explained
Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have...
Acts 14:13
“The priest of the Zeus temple, located just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, intending to offer sacrifices along with the crowd.”
What Does This Verse Mean?
The priest in charge of the Zeus temple brought animals and flowers to make a sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas because he thought they were gods.
What’s Happening Here
A priest heard the people calling Paul and Barnabas gods. He brought bulls and wreaths as gifts to honor them, preparing a religious ceremony.
Key Words
priestA person who leads religious ceremonies
wreathsCircles made of flowers or leaves worn as crowns
sacrificeAn animal offered to a god as a gift
Why It Matters
The priest was about to perform a false worship ceremony. This shows how quickly people can be confused about what is truly sacred.
Did You Know?
In ancient times, people gave animal sacrifices to show respect to their gods.
Word Study
G3588
whichτοῖς
G1161
Thenδέ
G2409
the priestἱερεὺς
G2203
of JupiterΔιὸς
G5607
wasὄντος
G4253
beforeπρὸ
G4172
cityπόλεως
G846
theirαὐτῶν,
G5022
oxenταύρους
G2532
andκαὶ
G4725
garlandsστέμματα
G1909
untoἐπὶ
G4440
the gatesπυλῶνας
G5342
broughtἐνέγκας
G4862
withσὺν
G3793
the peopleὄχλοις
G2309
and wouldἤθελεν
G2380
have done sacrificeθύειν
Cross References
Continue Exploring
Read Acts 14:13 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.