Acts 14:12

ἐκὰλουν, see above on Acts 14:11. τὸν μὲν Β. Δία. τὸν δὲ Π. Ἑρμῆν. The relative estimate of the Lycaonians was strikingly in accordance with Oriental notions Barnabas, the more silent and passive, is identified with Jupiter; and Paul, the more active, with Mercury. Ramsay, Church in the Roman Empire, p. 57; St. Paul, pp. 84, 85; McGiffert, Apostolic Age, p. 189. With the reason given for the identification of Paul with Mercury, cf. Iamblichus, De Myst. Ægypt., i., where Mercury is designated as Θεὸς ὁ τῶν λόγων ἡγεμών (see also Wetstein). The comparison could not have been because of the Apostle's insignificant appearance (although the fact that he was the younger of the two men may be taken into account), since Hermes is always represented as of a graceful well-formed figure. On the traditional accounts of Paul's personal appearances see Wendt (1888), in loco, Blass, Renan, and Plumptre, Acts (Excursus, pp. 191, 192). It is of interest to note that in Galatians 4:14 Paul writes to the Galatians: “Ye received me as a messenger of God,” Ramsay, St. Paul, p. 117.