Acts 14:8-20 - Mistaken For Gods In Lystra

8 In the streets of Lystra a man used to sit who had not the use of his feet. He had been lame from his birth, and had never been able to walk. 9 He was listening to Paul as he talked, when Paul looked at him and, seeing that he had faith that he would be cured, 10 said to him loudly, "Stand on your feet!" And he sprang up and began to walk.

11 The crowds, seeing what Paul had done, shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" 12 They called Barnabas Zeus, and Paul, because he was the principal speaker, Hermes. 13 The priest of the temple of Zeus that stood at the entrance to the town came with crowds of people to the gates, bringing bulls and garlands, meaning to offer sacrifice to them.

14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rushed into the crowd, tearing their clothes 15 and shouting, "Friends, why are you doing this? We are only human beings like you, and we bring you the good news that you should turn from these follies to a living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that they contain. 16 In ages past he let all the heathen follow their own ways; 17 though he did not fail to give some evidence about himself, through his kindnesses to you, in sending you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, giving you food and happiness to your heart's content." 18 Even with these words they could hardly restrain the people from offering sacrifice to them.

19 But some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and won the people over, and they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking that he was dead. 20 But the brothers gathered about him, and he got up and re-entered the town. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.