Acts 14:6

My Notes

What Does Acts 14:6 Mean?

"They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about." Paul and Barnabas learn of a plot to stone them in Iconium and FLEE — to Lystra and Derbe, cities in the surrounding region of Lycaonia. The fleeing isn't cowardice. It's STRATEGIC RELOCATION. The mission doesn't end with the threat. It MOVES. The gospel that was rejected in Iconium is carried to Lystra. The persecution produces GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSION.

The phrase "they were ware of it" (synidentes — having become aware/perceived) means the missionaries had INTELLIGENCE: they learned about the plot BEFORE it was executed. The awareness was timely. The knowledge produced the response. The perception of danger triggered the strategic withdrawal. Being aware of threats is part of the mission.

The "fled unto Lystra and Derbe" (katephygon eis tas poleis tēs Lykaonias Lystran kai Derbēn — they fled down to the cities of Lycaonia: Lystra and Derbe) treats the flight as RELOCATION, not retreat: the missionaries don't flee HOME. They flee to the NEXT CITIES. The direction of the flight is FORWARD — deeper into unreached territory, not backward to safety. The fleeing extends the mission. The escape is the advance.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What rejection pushed you to the next place — and did the gospel go with you?
• 2.What does fleeing FORWARD (to new cities, not to safety) teach about mission under persecution?
• 3.How does situational awareness (knowing about the plot) operate alongside faith?
• 4.What 'region round about' received the gospel because the original city rejected it?

Devotional

They heard about the plot. They fled. To LYSTRA and DERBE — deeper into unreached territory, not back to safety. The flight is FORWARD. The escape is the advance. The persecution in Iconium becomes the mission to Lycaonia. The fleeing extends the gospel.

The 'were ware of it' is situational AWARENESS operating within the mission: the missionaries PAY ATTENTION to threats. They're not naive. They're not reckless. They PERCEIVE the danger and respond strategically. The awareness isn't fear — it's wisdom. Jesus said 'be wise as serpents' (Matthew 10:16). The perception of the stoning-plot produces the strategic response.

The 'fled unto Lystra and Derbe' makes the FLIGHT the mission-method: the missionaries don't flee TO SAFETY. They flee to UNREACHED CITIES. The direction of the escape is MISSION-WARD, not home-ward. The fleeing EXTENDS the territory of the gospel. The cities that weren't on the original itinerary receive the gospel BECAUSE the original city's hostility pushed the missionaries toward them. The persecution is the propulsion.

The 'and unto the region that lieth round about' adds the SURROUNDING AREA: the missionaries don't just hit two cities. They cover the REGION — the surrounding territory, the nearby towns, the wider area around Lystra and Derbe. The flight produces not just two new cities but an entire REGION receiving the gospel. The expansion from the persecution is COMPREHENSIVE.

The pattern is Acts' consistent teaching: persecution EXPANDS the gospel. Every city that rejects the missionaries SENDS them to the next city. Every stoning-plot produces a new evangelistic field. The opposition is the mission's travel agent.

What rejection has pushed you to the NEXT place — and did the gospel go with you?

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture