Lexical Summary Zeus: Zeus Original Word: Ζεύς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jupiter. Of uncertain affinity; in the oblique cases there is used instead of it a (probably cognate) name; Dis (deece), which is otherwise obsolete; Zeus or Dis (among the Latins, Jupiter or Jove), the supreme deity of the Greeks -- Jupiter. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Zeus, the greatest of the pagan Gk. gods NASB Translation Zeus (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2203: Διά[Διά, see Ζεύς.] STRONGS NT 2203: Διός [Διός, see Δίσ.] STRONGS NT 2203: Δίσ῟Δίσ῟, an unused nominative for Ζεύς, genitive Διός, accusative Διά (Διαν, Acts 14:12 Tdf. edition 7; see in ἄρρην. and Buttmann, 14 (373)), Zeus, Jupiter, the supreme divinity in the belief of Greeks and Romans; the father of gods and men: Acts 14:12f. (2 Macc. 6:2.) (Cf. Ζεύς.) STRONGS NT 2203: ΖεύςΖεύς (but genitive, Διός (dative Διι<), are. Διά (or Διαν) (from old nominative Δίσ῟), Zeus, corresponding to Latin Jupiter (A. V.): Acts 14:12 (see Δίσ῟); ὁ ἱερεύς τοῦ Διός τοῦ ὄντος πρό τῆς πόλεως, the priest of Zeus whose temple was before the city, Acts 14:13 (cf. Meyer at the passage)). See Δίσ῟. Strong’s Greek 2203 (Ζεύς; oblique Διός) designates the chief deity of the Graeco-Roman pantheon, known to the Romans as Jupiter. In Asia Minor his cult was firmly established, frequently paired with local epithets (e.g., “Zeus of Lystra”) and visualized as the supreme sky-god, wielder of thunderbolts, and guarantor of civic welfare. Shrines, altars, and priesthoods dedicated to Zeus were common throughout the Hellenistic world, so his name became a cultural touchstone for power, authority, and benevolence within pagan religion. Occurrences in the New Testament The name appears only twice, both in the narrative of Paul’s first missionary journey: • Acts 14:12 – “Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.” These verses record the sole direct mention of Zeus in Scripture, and they serve as a representative example of the apostolic confrontation with living paganism. Cultural and Religious Context in the First Century Lystra lay in the Roman province of Galatia, a rural town lacking the intellectual sophistication of Athens yet fervently bound to traditional cults. Local legend (retold by Ovid) spoke of Zeus and Hermes visiting the region incognito and rewarding hospitality; such lore explains the townspeople’s immediate identification of Barnabas and Paul with these deities after the healing of the lame man (Acts 14:8-10). The presence of “the priest of Zeus” and a temple “just outside the city” underlines the civic integration of Zeus worship. Sacrificial bulls adorned with wreaths were standard offerings, associating Zeus with fertility and communal prosperity. Pauline Encounter at Lystra The miracle authenticated the gospel but was misunderstood through a pagan lens. Barnabas, perhaps older and more imposing, was hailed as Zeus; Paul, the articulate spokesperson, was likened to Hermes, the divine messenger. Luke’s record highlights how easily genuine divine power can be misinterpreted when filtered through entrenched cultural narratives. Paul’s response was immediate and forceful: tearing their garments, he and Barnabas cried out, “Men, why are you doing this? We too are men, with a nature like yours. We are proclaiming good news to you, to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them” (Acts 14:15). Their message: 1. Undercut the notion of Zeus as creator, attributing all creation to the “living God.” Despite this witness, the fickleness of the crowd quickly shifted from veneration to violence (Acts 14:19), illustrating the volatility of devotion rooted in superstition rather than truth. Theological Significance 1. Uniqueness of God – The mention of Zeus sharpens the biblical claim that “there is no God but one” (1 Corinthians 8:4), contrasting the living Creator with created myths. Implications for Christian Ministry Today • Cross-Cultural Discernment – Modern missionaries must recognize local “Zeus” equivalents—any revered object, ideology, or personality that substitutes for God. Related Biblical Themes Idolatry: Exodus 20:3-5; Psalm 115:4-8; 1 John 5:21 Creation Testimony: Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:19-20 Repentance of Nations: Isaiah 42:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 1:9 True Worship: John 4:23-24; Hebrews 12:28 Conclusion Strong’s Greek 2203 spotlights a singular moment when the gospel confronted the veneration of Zeus, the supreme figure of pagan religion. The episode at Lystra demonstrates that the power of God eclipses cultural idols, calling every people to forsake “worthless things” and serve the Creator through the risen Christ. Englishman's Concordance Acts 14:12 N-AMSGRK: τὸν Βαρνάβαν Δία τὸν δὲ NAS: Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, KJV: Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, INT: Barnabas Zeus and Acts 14:13 N-GMS |
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