Acts 14 · a question people ask
"They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”" (14:12). Why those names?
The verse gives a reason for one of them: Paul was called Mercury "because he was the chief speaker" (14:12). It gives no reason for Barnabas. Before this, the multitude had said, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" (14:11), and afterward "The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city" brought oxen and garlands (14:13). The chapter says nothing more about the names, and these notes add nothing from outside the Bible about them.
The verses
“When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker. 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.”