Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Debre
The
Passage: Acts 13:50
– 14:28
Structure:
a. 13:50-52, Travel of evangelization
b. 14:1-4,
Increasing disciples
c. 14:5-7,
Stoning
d. 14:8-13,
crowd wanted a sacrifice
e. 14:14-17,
Words of apostles
d’. 14:18,
restraining crowd from a sacrifice
c’. 14:19-20,
Stoning
b’. 14: 21-23,
Increasing disciples
a’.
14:24-28, Travel of evangelization
Historical
and geographical context: This story concludes the First Mission trip. After St. Paul’s
miraculous resurrection at Lystra (see below), he visits Debre, converting
many, after which Paul and Barnabas begin their trip back. Passing through the
same cities avoiding Cyprus they return to the church (Acts 14:27). Apparently,
Antioch (of Syria) became a center of the church development.
The name of
town Debre – the final destination – is derived from Persian Derbent which
stands for “narrow gate” (lit. “barred gate”). It is interesting that the city
with this name has accepted the Gospel without any hesitation or reservation.
Debre is mentioned 4 times in the Book of Acts (14:6, 20; 16:1; 20:4). First
time it is just a geographical pointer, then St. Luke simply states that “they
preached the Gospel to that city and made many disciples”. Interesting, that
the city with such name is fast to believe in Jesus (as He preached, Mt.
7:13-14).
In
comparison, two other cities mentioned in the story are Iconium and Lystra. The
meaning of Iconium is based on “icon/image” – city of [the large or mass
produced] Image. What is surprising is that regardless of the prohibition to
create the images for “acknowledgement” (Ex. 20:4-6) there was a Jewish
synagogue in town (Acts 14:1). The exact meaning of Lystra is lost, but it
could mean something within a range of “loose goats, pain relief, or city of
madness”. If the last one is true, no wonder St. Paul was stoned there. To
conclude, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Debre are Galatian cities
St. Paul writes his famous letter to.
