Bible Location
Meaning: that dissolves or disperses · 6 cross references · Modern-day map available
Lystra was a Lycaonian town in central Asia Minor visited more than once by Paul. It is important because it was the scene of dramatic healing, mistaken pagan enthusiasm, violent opposition, and Timothy's early Christian setting. First appears in Acts 14:6.1
Place meaning
that dissolves or disperses
Coordinates
37.60, 32.34
First appears
Acts 14:6
AI summary: Lystra contains one of the sharpest swings in Acts between acclaim and rejection. Paul heals a lame man there and is immediately misunderstood as a divine visitor, revealing the local religious world into which the gospel came. Soon afterwards the same setting turns violent and Paul is stoned, yet the mission is not abandoned, and the city becomes linked with enduring discipleship through Timothy. The cross references present Lystra as a mission town where miracle, misunderstanding, suffering, and perseverance all appear together.1
Place meaning
that dissolves or disperses
Latitude
37.60
Longitude
32.34
Bible references
6
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. 3
Source note: this 1893 dictionary language reflects its period and may be culturally insensitive or outdated. It is presented as historical source material, not as ai-BIBLE’s language, interpretation, or endorsement.
AI-assisted summary prepared for ai-BIBLE and stored as page content, based on dictionary material, place metadata, and linked Bible cross references.
Alistair de Blacquiere-Clarkson, “ai-BIBLE Bible Names JSON Factsheet Aggregating Material from Smith’s Bible Dictionary & Hitcocks’s New and Complete Analysis of the Bible.” ai-BIBLE electronic edition, version 1.0.
M.G.Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ai-BIBLE electronic edition, version 1.0.
Robert Rouse, “Theographic Bible Information,” Theographic-Bible-Metadata, 2020, https://github.com/robertrouse/theographic-bible-metadata.