Ζεύς, Δίς (Zeus, Dis)
Zeus, Dis
Zeus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The proper noun Zeûs refers to the supreme deity of the ancient Greek pantheon, equivalent to the Roman Jupiter. In the New Testament, this name appears only twice, both within the narrative of Acts. The sources identify it as the national god of the Greeks and note its significance as the leading figure among the native Lycaonian deities.
This brief usage occurs in Acts 14:12-13, where Paul and Barnabas are mistaken for divine beings by a crowd in Lystra. The locals attempt to offer sacrifices to them, addressing Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes. This incident highlights the cultural clash between the early Christian mission and the prevailing pagan religious landscape, serving as a stark reminder of the idols that surrounded the first believers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zeus appears only twice in the New Testament, recorded in Acts 14 during Paul and Barnabas’s visit to Lystra. The local crowd, mistaking the apostles for gods, tried to offer sacrifices to them. This moment highlights a sharp contrast between pagan idolatry and the living God who calls us to faith.
For believers today, this story reminds us that true worship is directed solely to God, not to human figures or created things. When we encounter cultural pressures to compromise our witness, we can stand firm in the truth that Jesus alone is Lord. His grace meets us in those moments of confusion and fear, guiding us with clarity.
May this passage encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Christ, the one true God, rather than chasing after fleeting shadows of divinity. Your faith is anchored in reality, not in human imagination or cultural trends.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Zeus1×
- Zeus,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Δία,1×
- Διὸς1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 14:12
They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker.
This verse shows how the crowd identified Barnabas with Zeus, reflecting their immediate impulse to deify human leaders.
-
Acts 14:13
The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes.
Here the priest prepares sacrifices, illustrating the depth of pagan devotion that Paul and Barnabas had to reject.