Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 14]
14:12 {They called} (\ekaloun\). Inchoative imperfect began to
call. {Barnabas, Jupiter} (\ton Barnaban Dia\). Because Barnabas
was the older and the more imposing in appearance. Paul admits
that he was not impressive in looks (2Co 10:10). {And Paul,
Mercury} (\ton de Paulon Herm•n\). Mercury (\Herm•s\) was the
messenger of the gods, and the spokesman of Zeus. \Herm•s\ was of
beautiful appearance and eloquent in speech, the inventor of
speech in legend. Our word hermeneutics or science of
interpretation comes from this word (Heb 7:2; Joh 1:38).
{Because he was the chief speaker} (\epeid• autos •n ho
h•goumenos tou logou\). Paul was clearly "the leader of the
talk." So it seemed a clear case to the natives. If preachers
always knew what people really think of them! Whether Paul was
alluding to his experience in Lystra or not in Ga 4:14,
certainly they did receive him as an angel of God, as if
"Mercury" in reality.
14:13 {Whose temple was before the city} (\tou ontos pro t•s
p•le•s\). The god (Zeus) is identified with his temple. He had a
statue and temple there. {Oxen and garlands} (\taurous kai
stemmata\). Probably garlands to put on the oxen before they were
slain. It was common to sacrifice bullocks to Jupiter and
Mercury. {Would have done sacrifice} (\•thelen thuein\).
Imperfect indicative, wanted to offer sacrifice. He was planning
to do it, and his purpose now became plain to Paul and Barnabas.
14:14 {Having heard} (\akousantes\). Such elaborate preparation
"with the multitudes" (\sun tois ochlois\) spread rumours and
some who spoke Greek told Paul and Barnabas. It is possible that
the priest of Jupiter may have sent a formal request that the
visiting "gods" might come out to the statue by the temple gates
to make it a grand occasion. They rent their garments
(\diarr•xantes\). First aorist active participle from
\diarr•gnumi\, old verb to rend in two. Like the high priest in
Mt 26:65 as if an act of sacrilege was about to be committed.
It was strange conduct for the supposed gods! {Sprang forth}
(\exep•d•san\). First aorist (ingressive) active indicative of
\ekp•da•\ (note \ek\), old verb, here only in the N.T. It was all
a sign of grief and horror with loud outcries (\krazontes\).
14:15 {Sirs} (\andres\). Literally, Men. Abrupt, but courteous.
{We also are men of like passions with you} (\kai h•meis
homoiopatheis esmen humin anthr•poi\). Old adjective from
http://www.ccel.org/r/robertson_at/wordpictures/htm/AC14.RWP.html (6 of 14) [28/08/2004 09:06:53 a.m.]