Λύστρα (Lustra)
Lustra
Lystra
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
Lustra was a small city in the ancient region of Lycaonia, located in what is now central Turkey. The name itself likely means "ransoming," though its exact origin remains uncertain to scholars. In the New Testament, it appears primarily in the book of Acts and later in Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
The city gained attention when Paul and Barnabas arrived during their first missionary journey. There, Paul healed a man who had been lame from birth, leading the local crowd to mistake them for Greek gods and attempt to offer sacrifices (Acts 14:8-13). Later, however, opposition arose, and Paul was stoned and left for dead before recovering and continuing on (Acts 14:19-20).
Lystra is also significant as the hometown of Timothy, whose mother was a Jewish believer and his father Greek (Acts 16:1). Paul later recalls enduring hardships in Lystra when reminding Timothy of his own faithful example (2 Timothy 3:11). These references highlight both the challenges and the lasting impact of early Christian outreach in this remote area.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Lystra serves as a reminder that faithfulness often leads to unexpected outcomes. Paul and Barnabas faced extreme reactions there, from being hailed as gods to being stoned and left for dead. This contrast shows that human approval is fleeting, but God’s purpose remains steady regardless of the crowd’s mood.
The city also holds a place of hope through Timothy. Raised in Lystra, he became a key leader in the early church. His story encourages us that our past or our surroundings do not limit how God can use us. Even in remote places, faithful lives leave lasting legacies for future generations.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Lystra4×
- Lystra;1×
- Lystra.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Λύστροις2×
- Λύστραν2×
- Λύστροις·1×
- Λύστραν.1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 14:8
At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.
This verse marks the turning point where a miracle leads to confusion, showing how quickly people can misinterpret divine power.
-
Acts 16:1
He came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed, but his father was a Greek.
This introduces Timothy, highlighting how God raises up leaders from ordinary backgrounds to serve His mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Lystra?
Why is Lystra significant in the Bible?
How does Lystra relate to Timothy?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 2 books)
Acts 5 verses
they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.
Acts 14:8At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.
Acts 14:21When they had preached the Good News to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and…
Acts 16:1He came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed,…
Acts 16:2The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him.