SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:6
habindolo entendido, huyeron a Listra y Derbe, ciudades de Licaonia, y por toda la tierra alrededor.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 14:6
Verse 6. They were ware of it] They were informed of the scheme, and of the attempt that was about to be made, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe; they did not leave the province of Lycaonia, but went to other towns and cities. Lystra lay to the south and Derbe to the north of Iconium, according to the general opinion. Strabo, Geogr. lib. xii., tells us expressly, that Iconium was within Lycaonia, Thence are the Lycaonian hills plain, cold, naked, and pastures for wild asses. About these places stands Iconium, a town built in a better soil. Ptolemy also, Tab. Asiae, i. cap. 6, places Iconium in Lycaonia. How comes it, then, that St. Luke does not call Iconium a city of Lycaonia, as well as Derbe and Lystra? Pliny, Hist. Nat. lib. v. cap. 27, solves this difficulty, by stating, that there was granted a tetrarchy out of Lycaonia, on that side which borders upon Galatia, consisting of fourteen cities; the most famous of which is Iconium. See Lightfoot.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 6. They were ware of it , etc.] They understood it, were apprised of it, and well weighed it, and considered it in their minds, and what was best to be done at this juncture: and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia ; according to the orders and command of Christ, ( Matthew 10:23) not so much to save their lives, as to spread the Gospel in other parts. Lycaonia was a province in the lesser Asia, near Phrygia, separated from it by the mountains; on the east it bordered on Galatia, and had on the west Pamphylia and Pisidia, and on the south Cilicia, unto Mount Taurus. Some say it had its name from Lycaon, the son of Pelasgus; others, seeing it was not a Greek colony, chose to fetch the name of the country from the Syrians, who used to call their neighbours country Leikonia, or in the Greek pronunciation Lycaonia; that is, the country of Iconium, which city was the metropolis of Lycaonia f706 : Lystra is by Ptolomy placed in Isauria, and so Derbe is said by Strabo to be upon the coast of Isauria; wherefore the words may be read thus, as they are in the Syriac and Ethiopic versions, and they fled to the cities of Lycaonia, and to Lystra, and to Derbe; by which reading, they are not necessarily made the cities of Lycaoma: according to Jerom f709 , they were both cities of Lycaonia. Lystra is the same with hrt[l , Lehesthera; which, in the Hebrew and Syriac languages, signifies a flock of sheep, or a city of flocks; it being a place that abounded with sheep, as the country of Lycaonia in general did f710 . Derbe was sometimes called Delbia, which, in the language of the Lycaonians, signifies a juniper tree; and Delub, and Dulbe, with the Targumist and Talmudists f712 , signify a chesnut tree; and with the Arabians, Dulb is a plane tree, or poplar; it seems as if it had its name from one or other of those trees, which might grow in large quantities near it: and unto the region that lieth round about ; the said cities.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - The apostles spake so plainly, with such evidence and proof of the Spirit, and with such power; so warmly, and with such concern for the souls of men; that those who heard them could not but say, God was with them of a truth. Yet the success was not to be reckoned to the manne of their preaching, but to the Spirit of God who used that means Perseverance in doing good, amidst dangers and hardships, is a blesse evidence of grace. Wherever God's servants are driven, they should see to declare the truth. When they went on in Christ's name and strength he failed not to give testimony to the word of his grace. He ha assured us it is the word of God, and that we may venture our soul upon it. The Gentiles and Jews were at enmity with one another, ye united against Christians. If the church's enemies join to destroy it shall not its friends unite for its preservation? God has a shelter for his people in a storm; he is, and will be their Hiding-place. In time of persecution, believers may see cause to quit a spot, though they d not quit their Master's work.
Greek Textus Receptus
συνιδοντες 4894 5631 V-2AAP-NPM κατεφυγον 2703 5627 V-2AAI-3P εις 1519 PREP τας 3588 T-APF πολεις 4172 N-APF της 3588 T-GSF λυκαονιας 3071 N-GSF λυστραν 3082 N-ASF και 2532 CONJ δερβην 1191 N-ASF και 2532 CONJ την 3588 T-ASF περιχωρον 4066 A-ASF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
6. Were ware (sunidontev). Rev., became aware. See on considered, ch. xii. 12.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
14:6 {They became aware of it} (sunidontes). Second aorist (ingressive) active participle of sunoraw (suneidon), old word to see together, to become conscious of as already in #12:12. In the N.T. only by Luke and Paul. {Fled} (katefugon). Second aorist (effective) active indicative of katafeugw, old verb, but in the N.T. only here and #Heb 6:18. Paul and Barnabas had no idea of remaining to be stoned (lynched) by this mob. It is a wise preacher who always knows when to stand his ground and when to leave for the glory of God. Paul and Barnabas were following the directions of the Lord Jesus given to the twelve on their special tour of Galilee (#Mt 10:23). Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia (still part of the Province of Galatia, though in another _Regio_), not far from the base of the Black Mountain. Professor Sterrett has apparently identified Lystra by an inscription about six hours (18 miles) south-southwest from Iconium near the village Khatyn Serai and Derbe probably near the village Losta or Zosta though its location is really not known. Lystra had been made a colony in B.C. 6 and Derbe was the frontier city of the Roman empire in the southeast. These are the only cities mentioned, but they were of importance and show that Paul kept to his plan of going to centers of influence. The new imperial road from Antioch and Iconium reached these cities. {The region round about} (ten pericwron) was "a high table land, ill-watered, bleak, but suited for sheep pasture" (Page).
