Derbe

Derbe, a city in Lycaonia, was visited by Paul during his missionary journeys.

Derbe was a city in the region of Lycaonia, located in modern-day Turkey. It was one of the cities visited by Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey after they were forced to flee from Iconium (Act.14.6). In Derbe, they preached the gospel and made many disciples (Act.14.20-21). On Paul's second missionary journey, he revisited Derbe, where he met Timothy, who became his faithful companion and co-worker (Act.16.1). Gaius, one of Paul's travel companions, was also from Derbe (Act.20.4). The city was located on the eastern edge of the Roman province of Galatia and was known for its fertile soil and agricultural production.

A small town on the eastern part of the upland plain of Lycaonia, about 20 miles from Lystra. Paul passed through Derbe on his route from Cilicia to Iconium, on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1), and probably also on his third journey (18:23; 19:1). On his first journey (14:20, 21) he came to Derbe from the other side; i.e., from Iconium. It was the native place of Gaius, one of Paul’s companions (20:4). He did not here suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:11).