The Bible makes references to various pagan gods and goddesses that were worshipped during biblical times. Though the Bible clearly rejects polytheism and idolatry, some of these mythological deities are mentioned to provide historical and cultural context. Here is an overview of the major Greek gods and goddesses that are directly referenced or alluded to in the Bible:
Apollo
Apollo was the Greek god of prophecy, music, poetry, healing, and the sun. He was one of the most important and complex figures in Greek mythology. Though Apollo is not directly named, Acts 19:27 contains a probable reference to him:
“And there was danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” (Acts 19:27)
The “great goddess Artemis” mentioned here is a reference to Artemis of Ephesus, whose temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As Artemis’ twin brother, Apollo was also prominently worshipped at this temple. By mentioning the prominence of Artemis’ temple, the Bible implicitly references the importance of Apollo’s worship in Ephesus as well.
Aphrodite
Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. She is subtly alluded to in the Old Testament books of Exodus, Leviticus, and 1 Kings in references to “Ashtoreth.” Ashtoreth was a form of the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar, who was identified with Aphrodite in the Greek cultural sphere.
The Bible condemns the worship of Ashtoreth and associates her with pagan idolatry:
“And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord…they served the Baals and the Ashtaroth.” (Judges 2:11–13)
“Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods.” (1 Kings 11:7–8)
By extension, these passages implicitly critique the worship of Aphrodite and characterize it as sinful idolatry as well.
Ares
Ares was the Greek god of war, violence, and bloodshed. He is not mentioned by name in the Bible, but there may be a subtle allusion to him in Acts 17:22-23:
“So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:22–23)
The Areopagus was a prominent rocky outcrop in Athens where the city’s high court of elders would meet. However, it was also associated with the Greek god Ares. So by mentioning Paul speaking at the Areopagus, the Bible may be subtly evoking the warlike attributes of the Greek god Ares. However, Paul goes on to use the altar “to the unknown god” to instead preach about the one true God of the Bible.
Artemis
As mentioned previously in the reference to her temple at Ephesus, Artemis was the Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and childbirth. She was the daughter of Zeus and the twin sister of Apollo. Along with the probable allusion in Acts 19, Artemis may also be referenced in Acts 14:12:
“Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.” (Acts 14:12)
In Greek mythology, Hermes was the messenger of the gods and the son of Zeus. Since Artemis was the daughter of Zeus and the twin sister of Apollo-Hermes, referring to Paul as Hermes suggests a subtle link back to Artemis as well. So the Bible mentions Artemis by name in Acts 19 and possibly alludes to her in Acts 14. However, in both cases her divinity is dismissed as false and pagan.
Athena
Athena was the Greek goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare. She was also the patron goddess of the city of Athens. The Bible never directly references Athena, but there may be an implied allusion to her in Acts 17:16:
“Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.” (Acts 17:16)
Since Athens was named after Athena and she was the city’s patron goddess, Paul’s reference to Athens being “full of idols” likely includes the various shrines, altars, and statues dedicated to Athena throughout the city. Though not called out by name, the false goddess Athena was likely on Paul’s mind as he challenged the idolatry of the Athenians.
Cronus
Cronus was the Greek god of time and the leader of the first generation of Titans. He was notorious for overthrowing and castrating his father Uranus to seize power. Cronus is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but there is a possible subtle reference to him in Luke 1:52:
“He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.” (Luke 1:52)
This could be seen as an allusion to God’s power overthrowing pagan deities associated with creation and fertility like Cronus. By extension, it rejects Cronus’ status as a “mighty” god worthy of a throne over the cosmos.
Demeter
Demeter was the Greek goddess of the harvest, agriculture, and the fertility of the earth. She is not directly named in the Bible, but some scholars believe there may be a subtle reference to her in Acts 14:11-13:
“And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 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.” (Acts 14:11–13)
The reference to the priest of Zeus offering garlands and oxen could be an allusion to Demeter, as garlands and oxen were important symbols and sacrifices made in her honor. However, the text does not explicitly link this ritual to Demeter, so any connection is speculative.
Dionysus
Dionysus was the Greek god of wine, fertility, theater, and madness. The Bible does not contain any direct references to Dionysus, but there are a few potential subtle allusions:
In Acts 14:8-13, Barnabas and Paul are mistaken for Zeus and Hermes by the people of Lystra. Zeus was sometimes depicted as accompanied by Dionysus. So the crowd confusing Paul and Barnabas for gods could suggest Dionysus was part of the confused evangelists’ entourage.
Ephesians 5:18 states: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)
While not a direct reference, this verse discourages drunkenness, which was a hallmark of Dionysian worship and festivals.
Overall, the Bible rejects the drunkenness and mystic rituals associated with the cult of Dionysus in favor of spiritual sobriety and mindfulness. But the god is never directly named as a false idol. Any potential references are very subtle and open to interpretation.
Hades
In Greek mythology, Hades was the god of the underworld and the dead. His name was often synonymous with the abode of departed souls as well. Hades is directly referenced multiple times in the New Testament as a way of referring to the place of afterlife torment and the power of death:
“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:8–12)
“And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.” (Luke 10:15)
“And I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18)
However, these references use Hades as a literary metaphor and embodiment of death, not as a literal endorsement of Hades as a god. The Bible categorically rejects the existence of Hades and other pagan deities.
Hephaestus
In Greek mythology, Hephaestus was the blacksmith god of craftsmanship, fire, and volcanoes. He famously crafted armor, weapons, and other equipment for the Olympian gods and Greek heroes. The Bible has no direct reference to Hephaestus, but there could be an indirect allusion to him in Acts 19:24:
“For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen.” (Acts 19:24)
As a silversmith crafting shrines to Artemis, Demetrius can be seen as embodying Hephaestus’ attributes of metalworking and devotional artistry. Since Hephaestus made armor and weapons for the gods, Demetrius fashioning shrines of Artemis mirrors Hephaestus serving the Olympians. So though not called out by name, Hephaestus may have been conceptually on the minds of the biblical authors when describing pagan shrine craftsmanship.
Hera
As queen of the gods and the goddess of women, marriage, and family in Greek mythology, Hera was one of the most prominent Olympian goddesses. She is not directly referenced in the Bible, but she could potentially be alluded to in the repeated condemnations of the Canaanite goddess Asherah:
“Then he brought out the Asherah from the house of the Lord, outside Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust and cast its dust on the graves of the common people.” (2 Kings 23:6)
Like Hera, Asherah was associated with fertility and served as the official consort to the chief deity of the pantheon. Since the two goddesses filled similar roles within their respective religions, denouncing Asherah may have been an indirect way for the Bible to critique Hera’s status as well. However, this connection is speculative, as the Bible does not explicitly identify Asherah with Hera or any Greek goddess.
Hermes
Hermes appears more clearly than any other Greek god in the Bible, specifically in Acts 14:
“Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.” (Acts 14:8-12)
Here the people of Lystra directly mistake Paul for Hermes, presumably based on Paul’s eloquent speaking ability. Hermes was the messenger of the gods in Greek myth, noted for his quick wit and mastery of rhetoric. By referring to Paul as Hermes, the Bible establishes the background pagan context that early Christians were up against in spreading the gospel. However, the passage makes clear the Lystrans were wrong and Paul was a mere mortal empowered by the Holy Spirit, not the pagan god Hermes.
Nike
In Greek mythology, Nike was the winged goddess of victory. The Bible does not contain any direct reference to her, but there may be an indirect conceptual allusion in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25:
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
Here, Paul compares Christians to athletes training and competing to win a “wreath” or crown as a prize. In ancient Greece, Nike was famously depicted crowning victorious athletes. So while the goddess is not mentioned directly, Paul may have been drawing upon the iconic image of Nike crowning the winners of athletic competitions as he urged the Corinthians to win the eternal prize. However, the actual goddess Nike would have been understood as false and pagan.
Pan
Pan was the Greek god of the wild, shepherds, flocks, rustic music, and male fertility. Due to his association with nature, some scholars believe he is subtly referenced in Acts 17:
“And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” (Acts 17:18-20)
Pan was associated with “rustic” music and was often visually depicted with goat-like features playing his trademark pan flute. So when the Athenians say Paul seems to be preaching “foreign divinities,” Pan is one deity some commentators speculate could have come to mind given his eccentric appearance and music. However, once again the Bible portrays such pagan assumptions as wrongheaded, as Paul was not literally promoting Greek gods like Pan.
Poseidon
In Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea, earthquakes, floods, droughts, and horses. He was infamous for his uncontrollable temper, much like the destructive ocean he ruled over. Though unnamed directly, Poseidon may be subtly alluded to in the account of Paul’s shipwreck in Acts 27:
“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, ‘Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” (Acts 27:20-25)
When Paul assures the men that though the ship will be lost, their lives will be spared, this demonstrates God’s power over Poseidon’s destructive ocean forces. The raging sea in this story functions as an embodiment of the terrifying divine temperament Greeks attributed to Poseidon. So the episode serves as an implicit statement of the true God’s supremacy over mythological figures like Poseidon.
Zeus
Zeus was the most powerful Greek god, serving as king of the Olympian pantheon, god of the sky, weather, and thunder. He is mentioned both directly and indirectly numerous times in the Bible:
“As even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.'” (Acts 17:28) – Here Paul references the words of Epimenides of Crete stating that we are the offspring of Zeus to connect with the Athenians. However, Paul goes on to explain that we are instead the offspring of the true living God, not Zeus.
“When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, ‘The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!’ Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.” (Acts 14:11-12) -Once again, the people directly but mistakenly identify Barnabas with Zeus.
The repeated condemnations of Baal throughout the Old Testament are also indirect references to Zeus, as both were considered chief gods of thunder and lightning over their pantheons.
Overall, the Bible frequently refers to Zeus only to completely reject him as a false manmade idol. Zeus is presented as the epitome of vain imagination and pagan religion that distracts from the truth of God as revealed through Christ.