In Greek mythology, Zeus was the chief god, and the god Hermes served as his messenger to human beings and other gods.
Acts 14:8–16 tells of how the apostles Paul and Barnabas visited a town where they healed a man who had been crippled from birth.
Paul told the man, “Stand up straight on your feet!” and the man jumped up and began to walk. The locals then shouted, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” They assumed Barnabas was Zeus and Paul (who did most of the talking) was Hermes.
The local priest of Zeus offered to sacrifice bulls to the two men. Paul and Barnabas would not accept worship, and they assured the people they were only human.
