Acts 14:11 Meaning and Explanation
“And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Seeing what Paul has done, the crowds shout in their own Lycaonian tongue that the gods have come down in human form.
What Does Acts 14:11 Mean?
The miracle is undeniable, but Lystra interprets it through its own stories. Legend told of gods who had once visited this region disguised as men and gone unrecognized, to the visitors' cost; no one wants to repeat the mistake. So the crowd cries out in Lycaonian — a dialect the missionaries apparently could not follow — that the gods have come down.
Wonder, by itself, does not lead to truth. These people see real power and reach for the only categories they have, and the result is sincere, enthusiastic error. A miracle can open eyes, but only the word can name the God behind it — which is why the next verses turn so urgently to preaching. Awe must be taught where to kneel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 14:11
What does Acts 14:11 mean?
Seeing what Paul has done, the crowds shout in their own Lycaonian tongue that the gods have come down in human form.