What is…
Lystra
Greek: Λύστρα —transliteration: Lustra
This is a city of Lycaonia in the Roman province of Galatia, in ancient Asia Minor (modern Turkey), in a wild district and among a rude population.
Location
Lystra is about 19 miles (30 km) south of Iconium (modern Konya, Turkey), near the present-day village of Hatunsaray in Konya Province.
Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul preached the Gospel here after he had been driven by persecution at Iconium (Acts 14:2-7).
Here also he healed a lame man (Acts 14:8), and thus so impressed the ignorant and superstitious people that they took him for the god Hermes/Mercury, because he was the “chief speaker,” and his companion Barnabas for Jupiter/Zeus, probably because of his stately, venerable appearance; and were proceeding to offer sacrifices to them (Acts 14:13), when Paul earnestly addressed them and turned their attention to the true source of all blessings.
But soon after, through the influence of the Jews from Antioch in Pisidia and Iconium, a crowd stoned Paul and left him for dead outside the city (Acts 14:19).
On recovering, Paul left for Derbe, but soon returned again, through Lystra, encouraging the disciples there to steadfastness.
He in all likelihood visited this city again on his 3rd missionary tour (Acts 18:23).
Paul’s 1st missionary tour
Antioch, Syria → Seleucia → Cyprus, beginning with Salamis → Paphos, Cyprus → province of Pamphylia, beginning with the port of Attalia → Perga, Pamphylia → Pisidian Antioch → province of Lycaonia, beginning with Iconium → Lystra, Lycaonia → Derbe, Lycaonia → Lystra → Iconium → Lycaonia → Pisidia → province of Pamphylia → Perga → Attalia port → Seleucia → Antioch
2nd missionary tour
Antioch of Syria → Derbe → Lystra → Iconium → Asia Minor → Troas → Samothrace (Samothracia) → Neapolis → Philippi → Amphipolis → Apollonia → Thessalonica → Berea → Athens → Corinth → Ephesus → Colossae → Caesarea → Jerusalem → Antioch of Syria
3rd missionary tour
Antioch of Syria → Tarsus → Derbe → Lystra → Iconium → Pisidian Antioch → Ephesus → Assos → Troas → Neapolis → Philippi → Berea → Corinth → Berea → Philippi → Neapolis → Troas → Assos → Miletus → Cos → Rhodes → Patara → Tyre → Ptolemais → Caesarea → Jerusalem
Timothy
Acts 16:1, 2 states that when Paul and Silas reached Lystra on their 2nd missionary journey, they found “a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.” Paul then took him along as a companion.
Timothy, who was probably born here (2 Tim. 3:10-11), almost certainly witnessed the persecution of Paul in Lystra, his near martydom, and strong faith and courage in Christ.
His mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were Jewish believers who taught him the Scriptures from childhood (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14, 15). Because his father was Greek, Timothy had not been circumcised; Paul circumcised him so that he could work more effectively among Jews in the region.
Timothy became a valued friend and a great evangelist of the Gospel. When separated, Paul wrote him letters which are preserved in the New Testament.
More information
- Who is Paul? and what is his significance?
- Who is Timothy?
- What is an evangelist in the Bible?
- Who is Eunice?
- Who is Lois?
- What is the Epistle to Timothy?
- What is Iconium?
TURKEY—Answers about Biblical places and events in what is now the Republic of Türkiye- What is Galatia?
- What does the Bible say about persecution?
What are the CITIES OF THE BIBLE? Names, descriptions, locations and types- Places in the Bible