A city in Lycaonia; Paul and Barnabas preached there
Lystra
Named in 6 verses across 2 books, first in Acts 14:6.
ΛύστραLystra
The name means “that dissolves or disperses.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Lystra Written by AI
Lystra was a city in the region of Lycaonia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Paul and Barnabas fled to Lystra and Derbe when they faced persecution in Iconium (Act.14.6). In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been lame from birth, which caused the people to believe that Paul and Barnabas were gods (Act.14.8-18). However, Jews from Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra and stirred up the crowd against them, leading to Paul being stoned and left for dead outside the city (Act.14.19-20). Paul later returned to Lystra to strengthen the disciples (Act.14.21). Timothy, a young disciple who accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys, was from Lystra (Act.16.1-2).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
A town of Lycaonia, in Asia Minor, in a wild district and among a rude population. Here Paul preached the gospel after he had been driven by persecution from Iconium (Acts 14:2-7). Here also he healed a lame man (8), and thus so impressed the ignorant and superstitious people that they took him for Mercury, because he was the “chief speaker,” and his companion Barnabas for Jupiter, probably in consequence of his stately, venerable appearance; and were proceeding to offer sacrifices to them (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, they stoned Paul and left him for dead (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 third missionary tour (Acts 18:23). Timothy, who was probably born here (2 Tim. 3:10, 11), was no doubt one of those who were on this occasion witnesses of Paul’s persecution and his courage in Lystra.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
37.578, 32.453 See it on a map
Where the Bible names it
- Acts 14:6
they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,
- Acts 14:8
In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked.
- Acts 14:21
They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
- Acts 16:1
Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father.
- Acts 16:2
The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.
- 2 Timothy 3:11
my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.