Who is…
Jupiter

Greek: Ζεύς —transliteration: Zeus

also known as: Jupiter Olympus, Zeus, king of the gods, god of the sky, king in heaven, Baal Shamen (“lord of heaven”), Abrettenus (Ἀβρεττηνός, Abretanus), Achad, Acraeus, Acrettenus, Adad, Aleios, Astrapios (“Lightninger”), Brontios (“Thunderer”), Diktaios, Ithomatas, and Hetareios

This is the principal deity of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

This false god was worshipped by them under various names.

There was a temple dedicated to this god outside the gates of Lystra (Acts 14:13).

• “Jupiter” — Acts 14:12-13 KJV; Acts 14:12-13 NKJV; Acts 14:12-13 ESV
• “Zeus” — Acts 14:12-13 NASB; Acts 14:12-13 NIV

“And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said,

Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?” —Acts 19:35 KJV

Sons of Zeus/Jupiter included Castor and Pollux, and many others.

Barnabas was wrongly identified with this god by the Lycaonians (Acts 14:12), because he had a stately and commanding presence, as they supposed Jupiter would have.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes

Antiochus IV Epiphanes, king of the Seleucid Empire, claimed to be Zeus-incarnate and plundered the restored Jerusalem temple in the 2nd century BC.

More information

• About idolatry and false gods in the Bible
• About idols in the Bible
• What is Lycaonia?
• Lystra
• What is No?
• Who is Mercurius?
• Who is Barnabas?
• Who is Diana?
• Who are Castor and Pollux?
• abomination