According to the New Testament Book of Acts 14:5-20, Paul and Barnabas visited the ancient city of Lystra on their first Missionary Journey to Asia Minor (Turkey) around 50 CE.
Believe it or not, the city is located under this mound, and has never been excavated by archaeologists! However, an important carved stone that was located on the surface was taken to the archaeological museum in Konia. Its inscription provides proof that the city of Lystra was indeed built upon this exact spot.
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| https://ferrelljenkins.wordpress.com/2011/11/29/illustrations-from-lystra/ |
Derbe
Derbe is one of the three unexcavated biblic
al sites with a tell (Turkish
höyük) in Turkey. (Lystra and Colossae are the other two.) In 1888 Sterret,
later followed by Ramsay, proposed that Derbe’s location was southeast of
Lystra at Gudelisin. However, epigraphic and numismatic evidence was
lacking
. In 1956 M. Balance discovered an inscription at Kerti H
öy
ük
northeast of Karaman that mentions Derbe. In 1967 B. Van Eldersen
discovered another inscription nearby that names a bishop of Derbe named
Michael. These important discoveries allowed the site o
f Derbe finally to be
established. The two inscriptions are now displayed at the archeological
museums in Karaman
A few stones from the hill have also been removed and built into some of the structures of a nearby town - Hatun Saray. (One reliable source tells me that these are no longer available for viewing.)
Quick Review: In the beginning of this trip (see map, above), Paul, Barnabas and John Mark left Antioch of Syria and traveled over a hilly area to the coastal town, Selucia, before sailing across to Cyprus, landing at the eastern coastal city of Salamis.
Then, they crossed the entire island of Cyprus east-to-west by foot and reached Paphos, where they experienced some significant events in Acts 13:6-12 before sailing north-northwest to Perga, on Turkey's south-central coast.
At Perga, Acts says that John Mark decided to return to Jerusalem for reasons that are not fully elucidated, but nevertheless greatly hurt Paul and were the source of a serious argument between him and Barnabas before the Second Missionary Journey (see Acts 15:36-ff).
(Click here for a visit to the ancient city of Perga.)
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| http://deeperstudy.com/link/first_journey_all.html |
Quick Review: In the beginning of this trip (see map, above), Paul, Barnabas and John Mark left Antioch of Syria and traveled over a hilly area to the coastal town, Selucia, before sailing across to Cyprus, landing at the eastern coastal city of Salamis.
Then, they crossed the entire island of Cyprus east-to-west by foot and reached Paphos, where they experienced some significant events in Acts 13:6-12 before sailing north-northwest to Perga, on Turkey's south-central coast.
At Perga, Acts says that John Mark decided to return to Jerusalem for reasons that are not fully elucidated, but nevertheless greatly hurt Paul and were the source of a serious argument between him and Barnabas before the Second Missionary Journey (see Acts 15:36-ff).
(Click here for a visit to the ancient city of Perga.)
Barnabas and Paul then tramped northward for perhaps two weeks over the rugged Taurus Mountains and reached the ancient city of Antioch of Pisidia. (Midway in their journey they probably encountered a small city called Adada. More on this place later.) Then, they went to Antioch (Pisidia) and Iconium.
Below is an over-sized satellite photo that extends from Konya (top right corner) to the site of Lystra (red triangle). (Notice: This map should scroll top-to-bottom, and left-to-right.)
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Lystra is located under the mound called Zordula Huyuk just north of the Turkish village of Hatun Saray (red triangle on map, above) - about 21 miles (35 km.) south of Konya - top, right corner of map). The mound is clearly visible on this satellite photo, below. (Red words, top right.)
Paul and Barnabas visited Lystra twice on this trip - on their way out to Derbe, and on the return.
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| https://www.karnbibeln.se/bibel-plats/?pi=841#prettyPhoto |
Paul asked Timothy to accompany him when he came through the area some years later on his Second Missionary Journey.
As mentioned above, Lystra has never been formally excavated by archaeologists. Other Biblical cities in Turkey that have suffered a similar fate: Derbe and Colossi.
This is a view from the top of the mound:
The only visible artifacts from the ancient city are broken pieces of ceramics, stones and soil located on the mound and larger rocks displayed in the nearby village of Hatursay. These are built into some modern walls and a bridge, and sitting on a vacant lot. Look for them in the following video:
This YouTube video (in German) shows you what the actual site looks like today. A Swiss couple made the recording on a walking journey from Basel, Switzerland to Jerusalem. They are shown near the mound, and then later in the nearby village.
As mentioned above, Lystra has never been formally excavated by archaeologists. Other Biblical cities in Turkey that have suffered a similar fate: Derbe and Colossi.
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kenschenck.blogspot.com
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| kenschenck.blogspot.com |
This YouTube video (in German) shows you what the actual site looks like today. A Swiss couple made the recording on a walking journey from Basel, Switzerland to Jerusalem. They are shown near the mound, and then later in the nearby village.
I've transcribed the man's YouTube description here -
First, I typed the script in German.
Then, I translated it into English and typed the text below.
First, the German, if you're able to read it while you watch the video:
#1. Hinter mir sieht man das Tell von Lystra. Paulus und Barnabus sind hierher gekommen, als sie merkten, dass die Leute in Ikonium sie steinigen wollten. Diese Leute folgten ihm aber, wie auch Leute aus Antiochien von Pisidien, und sie stachelten die Leute von Lystra auf, damit sie Paulus steinigten. Paulus überlebte aber diese Steinigung, stand dann wieder auf, und ging mit seinen Leuten nach Derbe. Auf seiner Missionsreise kam er wieder hierher nach Lystra, und er nahm dann Timotheus mit. Er war der Sohn einer jüdischen Mutter und eines griechischen Vaters. Timotheus und Paulus seien treue Mitarbeiter, und er schrieb auch zwei Briefe an Timotheus, die wir im Neuen Testament finden, und Timotheus wirkte bei verschiedenen Briefen von Paulus mit.
[Traktoren beim Pflugen]
#2. In diesem Brunnen sind Steine vom alten Lystra eingebaut. Hier sieht man einen, und auf der anderen Seite (einen).
#3. Hier sieht man verschiedene Funde aus Lystra...
[Schaffe blöken]
[tractors plowing a field]
This stone's inscription, dating from the first century AD, was found at Lystra, and reinforces the historical validity of the site. It is on display at the museum in Konya, 35 km. north of Lystra.
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| http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianmorley/2161331746/in/photostream/ |
A carved stone from the ancient city of Lystra, lying on the hilltop.
Acts 14:5-20 shares the account of Paul and Barnabus healing a lame man in Lystra. As a response to this miracle, the local people thought they were the gods Zeus and Hermes in human form, and attempted to make a sacrifice to them. They barely persuaded the people not to do this, and immediately thereafter, some hostile Jewish people arrived from cities previously visited by Paul and Barabus (Iconium and Antioch of Pisidia) and turned the people against the them. They stoned Paul and drug him out of the city, leaving him for dead. A day later, Paul and Barnabas shared the Good News in the surrounding countryside before moving on to Derbe, about 75 km. to the east, traveling first on the Roman road through Laranda (Karaman).
After this first journey, Paul visited Lystra on two subsequent missionary journeys, coming through from Antioch (Syria) in the direction of the west.
After this first journey, Paul visited Lystra on two subsequent missionary journeys, coming through from Antioch (Syria) in the direction of the west.
This stone's inscription, dating from the first century AD, was found at Lystra, and reinforces the historical validity of the site. It is on display at the museum in Konya, 35 km. north of Lystra.
Translation:
"The colony of Julia Felix Gemina Lystra consecrated (this statue of) the Deified Augustus. By decree of the decurions." (Mark Wilson, Biblical Turkey)
Click here for a link to the archaeology museum back in Konia (ancient city of Iconium).
Bishops from Lystra attended several historic church councils in Asia Minor (Turkey), including
This evidence substantiates the presence of a viable church here for several centuries. After Moslem Arab invaders started to raid Turkey in the 700's, this city would have fallen prey, and been destroyed. Perhaps it was then rebuilt on the ruins, and destroyed repeatedly - creating a mound.
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To get a broader perspective of events and areas in the Near East, click on this link.
FYI. Following is a list of New Testament passages - primarily in the Book of Acts -with their corresponding sites in Turkey:
Source: http://www.ephesustoursguide.com/must-see-places-in-turkey/turkey-and-the-new-testament.html
Additional topics found on this website:
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| http://ferrelljenkins.wordpress.com/2007/06/01/iconium-pisidian-antioch-attalia/ |
Bishops from Lystra attended several historic church councils in Asia Minor (Turkey), including
- Nicea (325 AD)
- Constantinople (381)
- Chalcedon (451), and
- Constantinople (879).
This evidence substantiates the presence of a viable church here for several centuries. After Moslem Arab invaders started to raid Turkey in the 700's, this city would have fallen prey, and been destroyed. Perhaps it was then rebuilt on the ruins, and destroyed repeatedly - creating a mound.
++++++++++
To get a broader perspective of events and areas in the Near East, click on this link.
FYI. Following is a list of New Testament passages - primarily in the Book of Acts -with their corresponding sites in Turkey:
Sites in Turkey found in the New Testament
| (with modern Turkish names) | |
|---|---|
| Adramyttium (Edremit) | Acts 27:2 |
| Antioch (Antakya) | Acts 6:5; 11:19-30; 13:1-3; 14:26-15:3; 15:22-35; 18:22-23 |
| Asia | Acts 2:9; 6:9; 16:6; 19:10, 22, 26, 27; 20:4, 16,18; 21:27; 24:19; 27:2; Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 6:19; 2 Cor 1:8; 2 Tim 1:15; 1 Peter 1:1; Rev 1:4 |
| Assos (Behramkale) | Acts 20:13-14 |
| Attalia (Antalya) | Acts 14:25-26 |
| Bithynia (Nicomedia [Izmit]; Nicea [Iznik]) | Acts 16:7; 1 Peter 1:1 |
| Cappadocia (Caesarea Mazaca [Kayseri]) | Acts 2:9; 1 Peter 1:1 |
| Cilicia | Acts 6:9; 15:23, 41; 21:39; 22:3; 23:34; 27:5; Gal 1:21 |
| Cnidus | Acts 27:7 |
| Colossae (Honaz) | Col 1:2 |
| Derbe (Ekin?z?) | Acts 14:6-7, 20-23; 16:1 |
| Ephesus (Selçuk) | Acts 18:19-21, 24-26; 19:1-20:1; 20:16-17; 1 Cor 15:32; 16:8; Eph 1:1; 1 Tim 1:3; 2 Tim 1:18; 4:12; Rev 1:11; 2:1-7 |
| Euphrates River (Firat Nehri) | Rev 9:14; 16:12 |
| Galatia | Acts 16:6; 18:23; Gal 1:2; 3:1;- 2 Tim 4:10; 1 Pet 1:1 |
| Haran (Harran) | Acts 7:2, 4 |
| Hierapolis (Pamukkale) | Col 4:13 |
| Iconium (Konya) | Acts 13:51-14:5; 16:2 |
| Laodicea (Denizli) | Col. 2:1, 4:13-16; Rev 1:11; 3:14-22 |
| Lycaonia | Acts 14:6 |
| Lycia | Acts 27:5 |
| Lystra (Hatunsaray) | Acts 14:6-23; 16:1-5 |
| Magog (Lydia?) | Rev 20:8 |
| Miletus (Milet) | Acts 20:15-38; 2 Tim 4:20 |
| Myra (Kale; Demre) | Acts 27:5 |
| Mysia | Acts 16:7-8 |
| Pamphylia | Acts 2:10; 13:3; 14:24; 15:38; 27:5 |
| Patara (Ova) | Acts 21:1 |
| Perga (Perge) | Acts 13:13-14; 14:25 |
| Pergamum (Bergama) | Rev 1:11; 2:12-17 |
| Philadelphia (Alasehir) | Rev 1:11; 3:7-13 |
| Phrygia | Acts 2:10; 16:6; 18:23 |
| Pisidian Antioch (Yalva?) | Acts 13:14-50; 14:19, 21-23 |
| Pontus (Amisos [Samsun]) | Acts 2:9; 1 Pet 1:1 |
| Sardis (Sart) | Rev 1:11; 3:1-6 |
| Seleucia (Samandag) | Acts 13:4 |
| Smyrna (Izmir) | Acts 20:1(?); Rev 1:11; 2:8-11 |
| Syria | Matt 4:24; Luke 2:2; Acts 15:23, 41; 18:18; 20:3;21:3; Gal 1:21 |
| Tarsus | Acts 9:11,30; 11:25; 21:39; 22:3 |
| Thyatira (Akhisar) | Rev 1:11; 2:18 |
| Troas (Dalyan) | Acts 16:8-11; 20:1(?), 5-13; 2 Cor 2:12; 2 Tim 4:13 |
| Trogyllium | Acts 20:15(KJV) |
Additional topics found on this website:
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