
The Apostles Paul and Barnabas journeyed to the village of Lystra in present day Turkey on a mission to preach the Christian gospel. While there Paul healed a cripple. The villagers proclaimed him the god Mercury and Barnabas the god Jupiter and gathered to offer a sacrifice on their behalf. The two apostles vehemently protested, tearing their clothes while declaring that they were mere mortals. This episode from the New Testament was popular among Dutch artists working in the circle of Rembrandt.