Derbe

Biblical References

Derbe appears only in Acts, and every reference is connected with the activities of Paul.

• First missionary journey: Threatened with stoning at Iconium, Paul and Barnabas fled to "Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia," and preached the gospel there (Acts 14:6-7). The day after he was stoned at Lystra, Paul departed with Barnabas for Derbe. After preaching the gospel in that city and making many disciples, the two retraced their route, returning to Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch (Acts 14:20-21). On the return journey they appointed elders in every church (Acts 14:23).
• Second missionary journey: Paul passed through Syria and Cilicia and came "to Derbe and Lystra." Timothy is introduced at this point in the narrative (Acts 15:41-16:1).
• After the third journey: Among those who accompanied Paul from Macedonia into Asia was "Gaius of Derbe" (Acts 20:4).

Background

Derbe was a city in the region of Lycaonia, in the south-central interior of Asia Minor. In the New Testament period it belonged to the Roman province of Galatia. It is thought to have been located near present-day Karaman, Turkey, although scholars differ on the exact site, and its location has not been firmly established.

Broader Biblical Significance

Derbe was the easternmost point reached by Paul and his companions on the first missionary journey. Rather than heading straight back toward home from there, they revisited the cities where they had suffered persecution and strengthened the disciples. On the second journey Paul entered the region overland through Cilicia (the region where Tarsus is located), which explains why Derbe is mentioned before Lystra.

In 2 Timothy 3:11 Paul recalls the persecutions he endured at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. Derbe is not included in this list, and Acts likewise records no persecution at Derbe.

Interpretive Questions

• Timothy's hometown: The text does not make clear whether "there" in Acts 16:1 refers to Derbe or to Lystra. It is commonly taken to be Lystra, though some hold that it was Derbe. See also the article Lois and Eunice.
• Gaius of Derbe: Opinions differ on whether he is the same person as the Macedonian Gaius mentioned in Acts 19:29. Some ancient manuscripts are reported to read a Macedonian place name instead of "of Derbe" in Acts 20:4.
• The recipients of Galatians: Some scholars hold that Galatians was addressed to the churches in the southern part of the Roman province of Galatia (the South Galatian hypothesis). On this view, the church at Derbe would have been among the recipients. Others hold that the letter was sent to churches in the northern region of Galatia (the North Galatian hypothesis). The question remains unresolved.

See also Paul's missionary journeys.