Mercury
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Acts 14:8-18) (Greek Hermes) — an ancient pagan deity. There were, in fact, several pagan gods with similar names, but the most famous of them was the so-called son of Jupiter and Maia. He was considered the messenger of the gods, the patron of travelers, thieves, merchants, shepherds, and orators, and was consequently one of the most popular of the gods. The unlettered population of Lystra and Lycaonia were so struck by the miracles of Paul and Barnabas that they called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. The inhabitants of these cities even wished to offer sacrifice to the apostles, had the latter not persuaded them to abandon this foolish intention.