Lexical Summary Lustra: Lystra Original Word: Λύστρα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Lystra. Of uncertain origin; Lystra, a place in Asia Minor -- Lystra. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Lystra, a city of Lycaonia NASB Translation Lystra (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3082: ΛύστραΛύστρα, Λυστρας, ἡ, and (in Acts 14:8; Acts 16:2; 2 Timothy 3:11) Λυστρων, τά (see Λύδδα), Lystra, a city of Lycaonia: Acts 14:6, 8, 21; Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 3:11. (Cf. references in Lightfoot on Colossians, p. 1.) Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Lystra was a Roman colony situated in the district of Lycaonia, in the south-central highlands of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Strategically positioned on the Via Sebaste—a military road built under Augustus—the town enjoyed Roman privileges yet retained a predominantly Hellenistic-Anatolian culture, evidenced by its devotion to the gods Zeus and Hermes (Acts 14:12-13). The surrounding terrain was agricultural rather than urbanized, distinguishing Lystra from the larger, more cosmopolitan Iconium to the north. Key New Testament Events 1. First Missionary Journey (Acts 14) 2. Second Missionary Journey (Acts 16:1-2) 3. Pauline Reflection (2 Timothy 3:11) Missional and Theological Significance • Validation of the Gospel among Gentiles: Lystra supplies the first recorded miracle directed entirely at an uncircumcised Gentile audience, confirming divine outreach beyond Israel. Lessons for Contemporary Discipleship 1. Expect both welcome and opposition: Miraculous confirmation and violent rejection coexist in faithful mission. Later History and Archaeology Lystra never regained the prominence suggested by its early favor under Rome. The city declined after the Byzantine period, its ruins lying near modern-day Hatunsaray. Sparse archaeological remains—inscriptions mentioning Zeus and Hermes, milestones of the Via Sebaste—corroborate Luke’s narrative details, reinforcing the historical reliability of Acts. Summary Lystra stands as a vivid New Testament theater where the gospel penetrated paganism, produced miraculous validation, encountered violent resistance, and gave birth to enduring leadership. Its six scriptural mentions collectively testify to God’s sovereign advance of the gospel “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), even through weakness, misunderstanding, and persecution. Forms and Transliterations Λυστραν Λύστραν Λυστροις Λύστροις Lustran Lustrois Lystran Lýstran Lystrois LýstroisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 14:6 N-AFSGRK: τῆς Λυκαονίας Λύστραν καὶ Δέρβην NAS: of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, KJV: unto Lystra and INT: of Lycaonia Lystra and Derbe Acts 14:8 N-DNP Acts 14:21 N-AFS Acts 16:1 N-AFS Acts 16:2 N-DNP 2 Timothy 3:11 N-DNP Strong's Greek 3082 |