Lystra is the ancient name of the village where the
Apostle Paul
visited. The present name is "Klistra" which is near Gökyurt, a village of the
Meram
district of
Konya
.
[2]
There are ancient ruins such as a church with a big cross marked on the wall, a winery, house-like buildings and ruins of a city located over the top of a hill which is locally called "Alusumas" where another church ruin exists. According to locals, the hidden city was constructed over the hill to hide from enemies of ancient Anatolia. This site is still awaiting excavation.
Lystra is located on the ancient
Persian Royal Road
.
Lystra
An obscure town on the high plains of Lycaonia, 18 miles south-southwest of Iconium,
Lystra was founded as a Roman colony in 6
B
.
C
. The population was mostly uneducated and gentile. The official language was Latin, but the people spoke a dialect that was unintelligible to Paul and Barnabas.
In Lystra, Paul encountered a crippled man who had faith to be healed. After being healed he “sprang up and walked.” The townspeople witnessed the miracle and declared that “the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Paul did his best to dissuade them, with little success.
Speaking to gentiles, the apostles spoke about God, the creator of the world, emphasizing that he and Barnabas were men “of like nature with you.” Jews from Antioch and Iconium came and persuaded the people against Paul. They stoned him, then dragged him out of the city where they left him for dead. The next day, however, Paul revived and proceeded with Barnabas to Derbe. While in Lystra, the apostles may have stayed with Timothy (see Acts 16:1).
Acts 14:4-23
4:
But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5:
And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
6:
They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
7:
And there they preached the gospel.
8:
And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
9:
The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10:
Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
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.
12:
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
13:
Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
14:
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15:
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
16:
Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
17:
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
18:
And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
19:
And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
20:
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.
21:
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22:
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23:
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.