And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter - the father of the gods, (as Chrysostom thinks) from his commanding mien.
And Paul, Mercurius - the messenger and attendant of Jupiter, and the spokesman of the gods. This latter character was that which suggested the application of this name to Paul, "because he was the chief speaker."