4 Bible Verses about Pagan Gods
Most Relevant Verses
And they were calling Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, since he was the chief speaker.
And, while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him, observing that the city was full of idols. So, he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market-place every day with those who met him. And some also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were encountering him. And some said, "What would this babbler wish to say?" And others said, He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods;" because he proclaimed the good tidings of Jesus and the resurrection.read more.
And, laying hold of him, they led him upon Mars Hill, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is, that is being spoken by you! for you bring to our ears certain strange things; we wish, therefore, to know what these things mean." Now all Athenians and the sojourning foreigners were wont to spend their leisure in nothing else, than either to tell or to hear something new. And Paul, having taken his stand in the midst of Mars Hill, said, "Men of Athens, in all respects I observe that ye are more than usually regardful of the deities; for, passing through, and considering your objects of worship, I found also an altar on which had been inscribed, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What, therefore, in ignorance ye worship, this I declare to you.
And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. For a certain one, Demetrius by name, a silver-smith, making silver shrines of Diana, was bringing to the artisans no small business; gathering whom together, and the workmen of like occupation, be said, "Men, ye know that out of this business we have our wealth.read more.
And ye perceive and hear that, not only at Ephesus, but almost in all Asia, this Paul, having persuaded, turned away a great multitude, saying, that they are not gods that are made with hands. And not only is there danger to us that this branch of our business will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be reckoned of no account, and also her magnificence will be destroyed, whom all Asia and the inhabited earth worship." And, hearing this, and becoming full of wrath, they were crying aloud, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" And the city was filled with the confusion; and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus??acedonians??ellow-travelers of Paul. And, Paul purposing to enter in unto the people, the disciples were not permitting him. And some also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, sending to him, were beseeching him not to venture himself into the theater. Some, therefore, were crying one thing, and some another; for the assembly had become confused, and the greater part knew not for what cause they had come together. And they brought Alexander out of the crowd, the Jews thrusting him forward. And Alexander, waving his hand, wished to make defense to the people. But, when they perceived that he was a Jew, one voice arose from all, crying aloud for about two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" But the town-clerk, having quieted the multitude, says, "Men of Ephesus, who, indeed, of men is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image that fell down from Jupiter? These things, therefore, being incontrovertible, it is needful that ye be quiet, and do nothing rash. For ye brought hither these men, who are neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.
