Topical Bible: Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Jupiter

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In the context of biblical idolatry, Jupiter is referenced as a representation of pagan worship and the deification of celestial bodies. The worship of Jupiter, known as Zeus in Greek mythology, was prevalent in the Greco-Roman world and is mentioned in the New Testament as part of the cultural and religious backdrop encountered by the early Christian apostles.

Biblical Reference:

The most direct mention of Jupiter in the Bible occurs in the Book of Acts. During the Apostle Paul's missionary journey, he and Barnabas visited the city of Lystra. After Paul healed a man who had been lame from birth, the local populace, steeped in their pagan traditions, mistook the apostles for gods. The account is recorded in Acts 14:11-13 :

"When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices in the Lycaonian language: 'The gods have come down to us in human form!' Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, hoping to offer a sacrifice along with the crowds."

In this passage, the name "Zeus" is used, which corresponds to the Roman god Jupiter. The incident highlights the pervasive influence of Greco-Roman mythology and the tendency of people to attribute divine status to humans, a practice that was in direct opposition to the monotheistic worship of the God of Israel.

Cultural and Religious Context:

Jupiter, as the chief deity in Roman mythology, was considered the king of the gods, associated with the sky and thunder. His worship was central to Roman religious life, and temples dedicated to Jupiter were prominent in many cities. The identification of Barnabas with Zeus (Jupiter) and Paul with Hermes reflects the cultural lens through which the people of Lystra viewed extraordinary events, interpreting them through their existing religious framework.

The worship of Jupiter and other deities was characterized by rituals, sacrifices, and the construction of temples. This form of idolatry was a significant challenge for the early church as it spread the message of the Gospel in a world dominated by polytheistic beliefs. The apostles consistently preached against idolatry, emphasizing the worship of the one true God and rejecting the deification of created beings or celestial bodies.

Theological Implications:

The incident in Lystra serves as a reminder of the early church's mission to confront and correct idolatrous practices. The apostles' response to being mistaken for gods was one of humility and a clear declaration of the Gospel. Acts 14:14-15 records their reaction:

"But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting, 'Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.'"

This passage underscores the biblical teaching that worship is due to God alone, the Creator of all things, and not to idols or false gods. The apostles' rejection of divine honors and their call to repentance highlight the transformative power of the Gospel to turn people away from idolatry and towards the worship of the true God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 14:12
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Deified and Stoned
... twined round the oxen's horns, are mentioned separately? ... a vehemently earnest protest
against idolatry, and a ... of the priest of Jupiter, that idols are 'vanities ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/deified and stoned.htm

The Harmony of the Gospels.
... Forty, the, mentioned by Matthew, import of, [331]105 ... the Romans, [350]85; still
reject idolatry, [351]86 ... Prophecy, against idols, [435]93; fulfilment of, [436]94 ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/the harmony of the gospels.htm

Letter xiv. To Heliodorus, Monk.
... not that the sins which I have mentioned are less ... is of the devil is idolatry, since
all idols are subject ... acceptable to God." [202] Fraud is idolatry, or else ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xiv to heliodorus monk.htm

The Desolations of the Lord, the Consolation of his Saints
... Or, if any of them be mentioned, are they not a ... to-day, and for ever." One generation
of idols hath passed ... theirs was a grand idolatry, one that never shall be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the desolations of the lord.htm

Chapter xi
... the city and the tower are mentioned separately in v.4 ... first building already appointed
to these idols; because we do not believe that idolatry had developed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xi.htm

Acts XIV
... Thessalonians, that they had "turned from idols to serve ... him the inferior place in
their idolatry, gave him ... on those occasions, is not here mentioned; but as we ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiv.htm

The Ecclesiastical Writers. By "The Fathers" we Understand the ...
... to win over the pagans from idolatry; the Paedagogue ... Among these may be mentioned
his tracts on "The ... The Lord's Prayer," "The Vanity of Idols," "The Grace of ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter i the ecclesiastical writers.htm

Origen Against Celsus
... V. Treating of the regulations respecting idolatry as being ... nature pervades all the
previously mentioned bodies ... For that which is offered to idols is sacrificed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/

The Sibylline Oracles.
... which Rome shall be overthrown and idolatry abolished; then ... and abstain from things
offered to idols." Among the ... [368] Another prodigy, mentioned also elsewhere ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... from rebuking even "favorite sons," or the idols of the ... of good King Josiah, denounced
the idolatry of the ... intimates that the six days there mentioned are not ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm