What was the initial misperception of Paul and Barnabas by the people after the healing in Lystra?

What was the initial misperception of Paul and Barnabas by the people after the healing in Lystra?

• A. They were spies
• B. They were imposters
• C. They were gods
• D. They were dangerous magicians

Answer: (C)

After the healing in Lystra, the crowd misunderstood what had occurred and began to treat Paul and Barnabas as divine beings. They were so impressed by the miracle that they called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes and prepared sacrifices to them, thinking gods had come down in human form. This is why the correct answer is that they were gods. The other ideas don’t fit the text, which portrays the reaction as divine worship directed at the messengers rather than suspicion, deception, or occult manipulation. Paul and Barnabas then quickly directed attention away from themselves and toward the living God, clarifying that the power to heal comes from God and not from human agents.

After the healing in Lystra, the crowd misunderstood what had occurred and began to treat Paul and Barnabas as divine beings. They were so impressed by the miracle that they called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes and prepared sacrifices to them, thinking gods had come down in human form. This is why the correct answer is that they were gods. The other ideas don’t fit the text, which portrays the reaction as divine worship directed at the messengers rather than suspicion, deception, or occult manipulation. Paul and Barnabas then quickly directed attention away from themselves and toward the living God, clarifying that the power to heal comes from God and not from human agents.