Where is Lystra mentioned in the Bible?

Historical and Geographical Context

Lystra was an ancient city located in the region of Lycaonia in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Positioned south of Iconium (present-day Konya), Lystra lay roughly between the Taurus Mountains to the south and the central plateau to the north. Because of its strategic location, the city served as a Roman outpost in the province of Galatia after the Roman Empire expanded its influence.

Archaeologically, inscriptions discovered in the vicinity point to the presence of a once-thriving community. While much of the original city lies in ruin, historians and archaeologists have identified tells (mounds) and ancient roadways that corroborate the biblical setting. Certain coins, inscriptions, and architectural fragments unearthed during surveys and minor excavations have helped place Lystra in the first-century context described in the New Testament.

Mentions in the Book of Acts

Lystra is referenced several times in the Book of Acts, primarily during Paul’s missionary journeys.

1. Acts 14:6–7:

“But when Paul and Barnabas found out about this, they fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region, where they continued to preach the gospel.”

Here, Paul and Barnabas, escaping threats in Iconium, arrive in Lystra and proclaim the gospel message. This mention establishes the city as a key stop on Paul’s first missionary journey.

2. Acts 14:8–10:

“In Lystra sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and never had walked. He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him and saw that he had faith to be healed. In a loud voice Paul called out, ‘Stand up on your feet!’ And the man jumped up and began to walk.”

In Lystra, Paul performs a miracle by healing a man crippled since birth. This dramatic event showcases the demonstration of divine power, attracting significant attention from the local residents.

3. Acts 14:11–13:

“When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices in the Lycaonian language: ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’ Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, intending, along with the crowds, to offer sacrifices.”

The astonished crowd mistakenly identifies Paul and Barnabas as incarnations of the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes. This incident reveals the religious backdrop of Lystra, where Greco-Roman deities were revered.

4. Acts 14:14–18:

“But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, ‘Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God…’ Even with these words, they hardly stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them.”

Paul and Barnabas strongly reject the attempt to deify them and emphasize that the power to heal comes from the true and living God.

5. Acts 14:19:

“Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, presuming he was dead.”

A stark reversal occurs here. Those who once lauded Paul turn against him under the influence of hostile outside agitators. Paul’s stoning near Lystra underscores the volatility of the region and the intense opposition early missionaries often faced.

6. Acts 16:1–2:

“Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.”

On Paul’s second journey, he returns to Lystra and finds Timothy, a young man who would become one of his closest companions and a significant figure in the early church. This mention confirms that Lystra had a continuing Christian presence after the tumultuous events of the first journey.

Reference in 2 Timothy

While Lystra is not explicitly named in 2 Timothy, Paul’s remark about persecutions alludes to what he endured in that region:

• 2 Timothy 3:10–11:

“But you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, 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.”

This text indicates that Timothy was intimately familiar with Paul’s suffering, including the stoning in Lystra. It testifies that Timothy likely witnessed or was at least well aware of these events, strengthening their bond and serving as a powerful testimony of divine deliverance.

Cultural and Religious Environment

Lystra, like many cities of Asia Minor, was influenced by Greco-Roman culture. Discoveries of temples and inscriptions dedicated to Greek gods attest to religious practices steeped in polytheism. The worship of Zeus and Hermes, as dramatically highlighted in Acts 14, was not unique to this city but was avidly practiced among many in the region.

Roman influence was also strong, reflected in civic structures, coinage bearing imperial images, and the presence of Roman roads that facilitated travel and trade. The fact that Lystra was chosen as a Roman military colony under Emperor Augustus provided it with added security and prestige, attracting diverse populations and belief systems.

Archaeological and Historical Evidence

Archaeologists conducting surveys and limited excavations in the area near present-day Hatunsaray (identified by many scholars as the probable site of ancient Lystra) have uncovered:

• Stone inscriptions naming officials in office during the Roman era.

• Fragments of temples possibly dedicated to Greek deities.

• Ruins of city walls and roadways consistent with first-century municipal layouts.

These findings align with the New Testament account of a city acquainted with Greco-Roman religion. Some inscriptions reference local cultic devotion, corroborating the narrative in Acts 14 where townspeople mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods. Historical documents also note the importance of Lystra within the provincial system of Galatia.

Spiritual Significance in the New Testament

Lystra demonstrates several spiritual themes:

• The Present Power of Divine Healing and Miracles: Acts 14 shows a miraculous healing that confirms the apostles’ message.

• Conversion Amid Adversity: In spite of fierce opposition, a church community emerges, evidenced by Timothy’s faith and leadership.

• Faithfulness Under Persecution: Paul’s stoning highlights the endurance required of believers. The reference in 2 Timothy underscores the victory of perseverance over hardship.

In broader Christian teaching, Lystra’s storyline is often viewed as a testament to how the gospel can enter a predominantly pagan context, confront entrenched beliefs, and how divine power works for good even in life-threatening circumstances.

Concluding Insights

Lystra, featured prominently in Paul’s first and second missionary journeys, stands as a historical and spiritual milestone in the expansion of the early Christian community. The events recorded in Acts 14 and 16 emphasize the dramatic impact of the gospel—complete with miraculous signs, strong local reactions, and the perseverance of faith. Archaeological evidence has provided additional context to the biblical narrative, and scriptural cross-references (such as in 2 Timothy) bear witness to the hardships and triumphs associated with this city.

Ultimately, Lystra’s mention in Scripture illustrates how divine providence guides believers in sharing the message of salvation, linking real geography, tangible historical settings, and life-changing spiritual truth.