Acts 14:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Διὸς
of Jupiter
G2203
Διὸς
of Jupiter
Strong's:
G2203
Word #:
5 of 23
in the oblique cases there is used instead of it a (probably cognate) name ??? <pronunciation strongs="deece"/>, which is otherwise obsolete; zeus or
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
8 of 23
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν,
their
G846
αὐτῶν,
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 23
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
unto
G1909
ἐπὶ
unto
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πυλῶνας
the gates
G4440
πυλῶνας
the gates
Strong's:
G4440
Word #:
17 of 23
a gate-way, door-way of a building or city; by implication, a portal or vestibule
ἐνέγκας
brought
G5342
ἐνέγκας
brought
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
18 of 23
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
19 of 23
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλοις
the people
G3793
ὄχλοις
the people
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
21 of 23
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
Historical Context
Bringing sacrifice 'unto the gates' (ἐπὶ τοὺς πυλῶνας) may refer to the house where Paul and Barnabas stayed, or to city gates where public ceremonies occurred. The rapid mobilization of priest and people suggests pre-existing temple infrastructure with ready sacrificial animals.
Questions for Reflection
- How does institutional religion sometimes co-opt genuine moves of God for its own purposes?
- What does the elaborate preparation for sacrifice reveal about the seriousness of idolatry's deception?
Analysis & Commentary
The priest of Jupiter, which was before their city—The temple's location ('before their city,' πρὸ τῆς πόλεως) suggests a prominent sanctuary at Lystra's gates. The oxen and garlands (ταύρους καὶ στέμματα) indicate full sacrificial ritual: flower-crowned bulls for major deity worship. The Greek ethelen (would have done) shows official religious establishment mobilizing for what they considered divine visitation.
This wasn't spontaneous crowd enthusiasm but organized cultic response. The priest's involvement escalated the situation from popular acclaim to institutional idolatry, forcing Paul and Barnabas into crisis intervention.