"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." This statement was in harmony with a tradition of theirs that the gods occasionally visited the earth. Barnabas they called Jupiter, the father of gods, because of his venerable appearance, his dignified bearing, and the mildness and benevolence expressed in his countenance. Paul they believe to be Mercury, "because he was the chief speaker," earnest and active, and eloquent with words of warning and exhortation.

"Men da skarerne så, hvad Paulus havde gjort, løftede de deres røst og sagde på lykaonisk: "Guderne er i menneskeskikkelse steget ned til os!" Denne opfattelse stemte overens med en af deres forestillinger om, at guderne undertiden steg ned og besøgte jorden. Barnabas kaldte de for Zeus, gudernes fader, på grund af hans værdige fremtræden og den mildhed og venlighed, der prægede ham. De antog Paulus for at være Hermes, "fordi det var ham, som førte ordet," var alvorlig og handlekraftig og talte advarende og formanende ord.