Paul and Barnabas Mistaken for Gods at Lystra

Threatened with stoning at Iconium, Paul and Barnabas take refuge in Lystra, in Lycaonia. There, a man crippled from birth, who has never walked, listens to Paul. Seeing that he has faith to be healed, Paul says to him in a loud voice, “Stand upright on thy feet.” The man leaps up and walks. The crowd cries out in the Lycaonian language, “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.” Barnabas becomes Zeus, and Paul Hermes, because he is the chief speaker; the priest of Zeus is already bringing oxen to offer sacrifice to them. The apostles tear their clothes: “We also are men of like passions with you!” They call the crowd to turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth. Soon afterward, Jews from Antioch and Iconium turn the crowd around: Paul is stoned and dragged out of the city, left for dead. But he gets up and sets out the next day for Derbe.