Lystra

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lystra was a city in what is now modern Turkey. It is mentioned six times in the New Testament of the Bible and was visited several times by the Apostle Paul and Barnabas.

1 Location
2 History
3 Biblical reference
4 References

[edit] Location

Lystra is located 21 kilometres south of Konya, a city previously known as Iconium. It is situated on a mound just north of the village of Haran Saray. Though there are mountain ranges to the west and south, the plain of Anatolia stretches to the east and north.

[edit] History

The Roman Empire made Lystra a colony in 6BC, possibly to allow better control of the tribes in the mountains to the west. Soon after, a road was built connecting Lystra to Iconium in the north.

[edit] Biblical reference

Paul preached the gospel in Lystra after he had been driven by persecution from 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 Hermes, because he was the "chief speaker", and his companion Barnabas for Zeus 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, 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.

Paul, 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.