Acts 14:6
New International Version
But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country,

New Living Translation
When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area.

English Standard Version
they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country,

Berean Standard Bible
they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,

Berean Literal Bible
having become aware, they fled to the Lycaonian cities Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region,

King James Bible
They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

New King James Version
they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.

New American Standard Bible
they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region;

NASB 1995
they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region;

NASB 1977
they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region;

Legacy Standard Bible
they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region;

Amplified Bible
they, aware of the situation, escaped to Lystra and Derbe, [taking refuge in the] cities of Lycaonia, and the neighboring region;

Christian Standard Bible
they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns called Lystra and Derbe, and to the surrounding countryside.

American Standard Version
they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about:

English Revised Version
they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So they escaped to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding territory.

Good News Translation
When the apostles learned about it, they fled to the cities of Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia and to the surrounding territory.

International Standard Version
Paul and Barnabas found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding territory.

Majority Standard Bible
they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,

NET Bible
Paul and Barnabas learned about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region.

New Heart English Bible
they became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.

Webster's Bible Translation
Being apprised of it, they fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the region in that vicinity.

Weymouth New Testament
the Apostles, having become aware of it, made their escape into the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe, and the neighbouring country.

World English Bible
they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
they having become aware, fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and the surrounding region,

Berean Literal Bible
having become aware, they fled to the Lycaonian cities Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region,

Young's Literal Translation
they having become aware, did flee to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and to the region round about,

Smith's Literal Translation
Being conscious, they fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the country round about:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They understanding it, fled to Lystra, and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the whole country round about,

Catholic Public Domain Version
they, realizing this, fled together to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the entire surrounding region.

New American Bible
they realized it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside,

New Revised Standard Version
the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when they became aware of it, they departed and took refuge in Ly’stra and Derbe, cities of Lyc-ao’ni-a, and the villages near by.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when they knew it, they departed and took refuge in the cities of Lyconia, Lystra and Derby and the villages around them.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
being aware of it, they fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and to the region round about,

Godbey New Testament
recognizing it, they fled into the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and the surrounding country;

Haweis New Testament
conscious of their danger, they fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and the circum-jacent country:

Mace New Testament
of which they were appriz'd, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, citys of Lycaonia, and to the adjacent country,

Weymouth New Testament
the Apostles, having become aware of it, made their escape into the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe, and the neighbouring country.

Worrell New Testament
they, becoming aware it, fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and to the region round about;

Worsley New Testament
being apprised of it they fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the adjacent country:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul and Barnabas at Iconium
5But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, set out to mistreat and stone them, 6they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region, 7where they continued to preach the gospel.…

Cross References
Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Acts 8:1-4
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. / God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. / But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. ...

Acts 9:25
One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

Acts 17:10
As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue.

Acts 17:14
The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.

Acts 13:51
So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.

Acts 16:1-3
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. / The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. / Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Acts 18:1
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

Acts 19:21
After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”

Acts 20:1
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 11:32-33
In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. / But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.

1 Samuel 19:10-12
Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night. / Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.

1 Kings 19:3
And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,

Jeremiah 26:21
King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt.

Jeremiah 36:19
Then the officials said to Baruch, “You and Jeremiah must hide yourselves and tell no one where you are.”


Treasury of Scripture

They were ware of it, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the region that lies round about:

were.

Acts 9:24
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

Acts 17:13,14
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people…

Acts 23:12
And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

and fled.

Matthew 10:23
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Lystra.

Acts 14:20,21
Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe…

Acts 16:1,2
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: …

2 Timothy 3:11
Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Lycaonia.

Acts 14:11
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

Jump to Previous
Apostles Apprised Aware Cities Country Derbe Escape Fled Flee Flight Found Neighbouring News Region Round Surrounding Towns Vicinity Ware
Jump to Next
Apostles Apprised Aware Cities Country Derbe Escape Fled Flee Flight Found Neighbouring News Region Round Surrounding Towns Vicinity Ware
Acts 14
1. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium.
8. At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods.
19. Paul is stoned.
21. They pass through various churches, confirming the disciples in faith and patience.
26. Returning to Antioch, they report what God had done with them.














they found out about it
This phrase indicates that Paul and Barnabas became aware of a plot against them. In the context of Acts 14, they were in Iconium, where both Jews and Gentiles were divided over their message. The Holy Spirit often provided guidance and protection to the apostles, as seen in other instances in Acts (e.g., Acts 9:24-25). This awareness can be seen as divine intervention, ensuring the continuation of their mission.

and fled to the Lycaonian cities
The act of fleeing does not imply cowardice but rather strategic withdrawal to preserve their lives and continue their mission. Jesus instructed His disciples to flee persecution in Matthew 10:23, emphasizing the importance of spreading the Gospel over martyrdom in certain situations. Lycaonia was a region in the central part of Asia Minor, known for its rural and less Hellenized culture compared to other parts of the Roman Empire.

of Lystra and Derbe
Lystra and Derbe were cities in the Roman province of Galatia. Lystra is notable for being the hometown of Timothy, a significant figure in the New Testament (Acts 16:1). In Lystra, Paul would later heal a man lame from birth, leading to both acceptance and misunderstanding of their message (Acts 14:8-18). Derbe was a city where Paul and Barnabas would find success in preaching the Gospel (Acts 14:20-21). These cities were part of the missionary strategy to reach both Jews and Gentiles.

and to the surrounding region
This indicates that Paul and Barnabas did not limit their ministry to major cities but also reached out to the rural areas. The spread of the Gospel to surrounding regions fulfills the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and reflects the inclusive nature of the Christian message. The surrounding region would have included various small towns and villages, each with its own cultural and religious practices, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the apostles.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Apostles (Paul and Barnabas)
Key figures in the early Christian church, known for their missionary journeys and spreading the Gospel. In this context, they are the ones fleeing from danger.

2. Lystra and Derbe
Cities in the region of Lycaonia, part of modern-day Turkey. These cities became significant locations for Paul's missionary work and the spread of Christianity.

3. Surrounding Region
Refers to the broader area around Lystra and Derbe, indicating that the apostles continued their mission work even as they fled persecution.

4. Persecution
The apostles faced threats and violence from those opposed to their message, prompting their flight to safety.

5. Missionary Journey
This event is part of Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey, highlighting the challenges and opposition they faced in spreading the Gospel.
Teaching Points
Perseverance in Mission
Despite facing persecution, Paul and Barnabas continued their mission. This teaches us the importance of perseverance in our own spiritual journeys and ministries.

Wisdom in Danger
The apostles' decision to flee shows the importance of using wisdom and discernment when facing danger. It is not a lack of faith to avoid harm when possible.

Spreading the Gospel
Even in the face of opposition, the apostles found new opportunities to share the Gospel. We should look for ways to continue our witness, even when circumstances change.

Trust in God's Plan
The apostles' journey reminds us that God can use difficult situations to further His purposes. We should trust that God is at work, even in challenging times.

Community Support
The apostles often relied on the support of fellow believers. This highlights the importance of Christian community in providing encouragement and assistance.(6) And fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia.--Here again, as in Acts 13:51, we can scarcely fail to trace a literal obedience to our Lord's commands. (See Note on Matthew 10:23.) The direction of the Apostles journey now took them into a wilder and less civilised region. The range of the Taurus cut it off from the more cultivated country of Cilicia and Pisidia. It is described as a dreary plain, bare of trees, destitute of fresh water, and with several salt lakes. So Ovid (Metaph. 8:621) speaks of it, as the result of personal observation:

"Where men once dwelt a marshy lake is seen,

And coots and bitterns haunt the waters green."

The very name Lycaonia, interpreted traditionally as Wolf-land (the local legend derived it from Lycaon, who had been transformed into a wolf), represented but too faithfully the character of the inhabitants. The travellers were also losing the protection which a Roman citizen might claim in a Roman province, Lycaonia, which had been annexed in A.D. 17 to the Roman province of Galatia, having been assigned by Caligula to Antiochus, King of Commagene. So wild a country was hardly likely to attract Jewish settlers; and there is no trace in St. Luke's narrative of the existence of a synagogue in either of the two cities. For the first time, so far as we know, St. Paul had to begin his work by preaching to the heathen. Even the child of a devout Jewish mother had grown up to manhood uncircumcised (see Note on Acts 16:3). Of the two towns named, Lystra was about forty miles to the south-east of Iconium, Derbe about twenty miles further to the east. The former, which lies to the north of a lofty conical mountain, the Kara-dagh (=Black Mountain) is now known as Bin-bir-Kilisseh, i.e., "the thousand and one churches," from the ruins that abound there. The addition of "the region that lieth round about" suggests the thought that the cities were not large enough to supply a sufficient field of action. The work in the country villages must obviously--even more than in the cities--have been entirely among the Gentiles. Among the converts of this region, and probably of this time, we may note the names of Timotheus of Lystra (see Note on Acts 16:1), and Gaius, or Caius, of Derbe (Acts 20:4). . . .

Verses 6, 7. Became aware for were ware, A.V. (συνιδόντες), see Acts 12:12; the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, for Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, A.V.; the region for unto the region, A.V.; round about for that lieth round about, A.V. They preached; were preaching - not once or twice, but continuously. Lystra and Derbe were cities of southern Lycaonia, obscure and remote from civilization, situated north of Mount Taurus, in a cold arid country somewhere between Ak Ghieul on the north, and the volcanic region of Karadagh on the south. They seem to have been included at this time in the dominions of Antiochus, king of Commagene (Lewin). Lystra is thought to be now represented by Bin-bir Kilissete (the thousand and one churches) (Lewin and Renan), though this is doubtful; and Derbe distant about twenty miles from Lystra, and the capital of that part of Lycaonia called Isaurica, is thought to be the modern Dioli (Hamilton, Renan, etc.); others, however, place it nearer the White Lake, Ak Ghieul, where the ruins of an ancient town are found.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
they found out about it
συνιδόντες (synidontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4894: To know, consider, be privy to.

and fled
κατέφυγον (katephygon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2703: From kata and pheugo; to flee down.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lycaonian
Λυκαονίας (Lykaonias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3071: Perhaps remotely from lukos; Lycaonia, a region of Asia Minor.

cities
πόλεις (poleis)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

of Lystra
Λύστραν (Lystran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3082: Lystra, a place in Asia Minor.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Derbe,
Δέρβην (Derbēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1191: Of foreign origin; Derbe, a place in Asia Minor.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

surrounding region,
περίχωρον (perichōron)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4066: From peri and chora; around the region, i.e. Circumjacent.


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NT Apostles: Acts 14:6 They became aware of it and fled (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
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