Acts 14:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The priest of Jupiter, whose temple stands before the city, brings garlanded oxen to the gates, ready to offer sacrifice with the people.
What Does Acts 14:13 Mean?
The acclamation becomes ceremony. The temple of Jupiter stood just outside Lystra's walls, and its priest now arrives with oxen and garlands — animals wreathed for slaughter — intending to lead the whole city in sacrifice to the visitors.
Everything about the scene is earnest: a real priest, costly animals, public devotion — and all of it misdirected. Sincerity is a lovely thing, but it is not the same as truth, and zeal cannot make a false object worthy of worship. The moment presses the question that runs through all of Scripture: not whether we will worship, for everyone does, but whom we will worship when something astonishes us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 14:13
What does Acts 14:13 mean?
The priest of Jupiter, whose temple stands before the city, brings garlanded oxen to the gates, ready to offer sacrifice with the people.