Fleeing Persecution

After having fled Pisidian Antioch, Roman capital of the Galatian district of Lycaonia, Barnabas and Paul must again go into hiding as they escape persecution in Iconium.

Luke’s detailed account of Paul’s first missionary journey in Acts 14 shows us what will frequently take place in many cities throughout the world. His historic account of the Apostles provides background for understanding of the intense hatred of Jesus Christ by many unbelievers.

Iconium – A Pattern of Persecution

Acts 14: Fleeing Iconium

5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers to mistreat and to stone them, they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; and there they continued to proclaim the gospel.

Lycaonia and the surrounding region

Λυκαονία – Lycaonia

Luke mentions that they fled to the cities of Lycaonia.. and the surrounding region. Although Lycaonia was also a city in the southern region of this district set on a plain near the Taurus Mountains, he names the next two cities where they will preach the gospel in addition to other more remote towns of Lycaonia.

Lycaonia = "wolf land"

a region in Asia Minor, situated between Pisidia, Cilicia, Cappadocia, Galatia and Phrygia, whose chief towns were Derbe, Lystra and Iconium
metaph. of cruel, greedy, rapacious, destructive men 
- Source: BlueLetterBible.org.

περίχωρος – períchōros –

• signifies “country round about,” Luk 8:37; “country about,” Luk 3:3, AV (RV, “region round about”)

NOTE Luke’s Gospel mention of the Lord Jesus using this same reference also points to rejection of the Gospel.

And all the people of the country ^G4066 of the Gerasenes 

and ^G4066 the ^G4066 surrounding ^G4066 district ^G4066 asked Him [Jesus] to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear. And He got into a boat and returned.

Gospel of Luke 8:37 LSB – Strong’s G4066 – perichōros

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Rejection of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,

BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.

HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,

AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,

TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,

TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”

Gospel of Luke 4:18-19a - Jesus Christ quoting the prophet Isaiah 61
“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your [ears].” - The words of Jesus from Luke 4:21

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Acts of the Apostles

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

– ACTS of the Apostles in Pisidian Antioch 13:49-50 KJV

• Strong’s G5561 – chōra
  • ..the idea of empty expanse; a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants):—coast, county, fields, ground, land, region.
• Strong’s G3725 – horion
  • boundaries for a region, district, land, territory

But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

Acts of the Apostles 13:51 King James Version

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And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off G1621 the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. – Gospel of Mark 6:11 KJV

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And it came to pass in Iconium..

ACTS 14:3-7 KJV

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

• Strong’s G4066 – perichōros
  • signifies “country round about,” “country about,” (RV, “region round about”)

And there they preached the gospel.

Acts 14:7 KJV

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“The one who listens to you listens to Me,

and the one who rejects you rejects Me.

And he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ – Luke 10:16 LSB

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To be continued…

NEXT: Lystra