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.

ACTS 14:11KJV
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Acts 14:11 (KJV)

What does Acts 14:11 mean?

Acts 14:11 describes how the local people, after witnessing a miracle performed by Paul, loudly declared in their own language that the gods had come down to them in human form. The crowd was so amazed by what Paul had done that they believed he and his companion were divine beings visiting them as men.

In this scene, the people of Lystra (a city in the region of Lycaonia) are reacting to Paul healing a man who had never walked. The crowd speaks in their native Lycaonian language, expressing their belief that Paul and Barnabas are gods disguised as humans. This reaction shows both their awe at the miracle and their cultural background, which included stories of gods visiting people in disguise.

The Greek behind Acts 14:11

  • θεοί (theoi): This word means "gods." The crowd uses it to describe Paul and Barnabas, showing their belief in multiple gods and their readiness to interpret miracles through their own religious lens.
  • ὁμοιωθέντες (homoiōthentes): Translated as "in the likeness," this word carries the idea of becoming similar or taking on the appearance of something. Here, it emphasizes that the people thought the gods had taken on human form.
  • ἄνθρωποι (anthrōpoi): This word means "men" or "humans." The crowd is amazed that beings they consider divine would appear as ordinary people among them.
  • τῇ λυκαονιστὶ (tē Lykaonisti): This phrase means "in the speech of Lycaonia." It shows that the people were speaking in their local dialect, which may have contributed to Paul and Barnabas not immediately understanding their reaction.

Why Acts 14:11 matters

  • Acts 14:11 highlights how miracles could be misunderstood by people from different cultural or religious backgrounds, leading to confusion rather than faith in the God Paul preached.
  • The verse sets up the following events, where Paul and Barnabas have to correct the crowd’s misunderstanding and point them away from idol worship.
  • This moment shows the challenges early Christian missionaries faced when sharing their message in places with very different beliefs and traditions.

Where else these words appear

“likeness” Greek G3666 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
  • Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
  • Luke 7:31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

“up” Greek G1869 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
  • Luke 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
  • Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

“down” Greek G2597 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • Luke 19:6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
  • Acts 10:20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

“voices” Greek G5456 · used in 129 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • John 12:30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
  • Revelation 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;