And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
13. Also Jupiter’s priest. Though Luke doth not express with what affection he [this priest] was moved to be so diligent, yet it is to be thought, that, forasmuch as there was great hope of most plentiful gain offered, he was moved with covetousness. For he had great hope of gain in time to come, if it should be noised abroad that Jupiter appeared there.
This cripple, lame from birth and never able to walk, represents our spiritual impotency until God's grace strengthens us. He heard Paul preach and believed the apostles had divine power to heal him; that faith Paul perceived and acted upon, working a cure that testified to the gospel's power among the Gentiles.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 14:8-18
Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city,.... Not that the priest was before the city, but Jupiter; and the phrase denotes either his presidency over the city, and so the Arabic version renders it, "who was the chief god of their city"; or the place where his image stood, which was out of the city, and so may be said to be...