Derbe

At a Glance

A biblical place-name in Asia Minor, associated with Paul’s missionary journeys in Acts.

Key Points

• Ancient city in Lycaonia
• mentioned in Acts
• connected with Paul and Barnabas
• important for tracing the spread of the gospel in southern Galatia.

Description

Derbe was an ancient city in Lycaonia, in the Roman province of Asia Minor. In Acts, Paul and Barnabas came to Derbe after opposition in surrounding cities and preached the gospel there with apparent fruitfulness, making many disciples (Acts 14). Derbe is also mentioned in later missionary travel connected with Timothy and with Paul’s return journey through the region (Acts 16; 20). As a place-name, Derbe helps readers trace the outward movement of the gospel and the strengthening of early believers in the apostolic mission.

Biblical Context

Derbe appears in Acts as part of the missionary route of Paul and Barnabas. The city is associated with gospel preaching, the making of disciples, and later pastoral strengthening of churches and believers in the surrounding region.

Historical Context

Derbe was located in Lycaonia, an area of central-southern Asia Minor. Its precise archaeological identification has been discussed, but the biblical references are clear enough to place it within Paul’s missionary travels. The city sits within the larger Greco-Roman world in which early Christianity spread beyond Judea.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Derbe was not a Jewish religious center, but it belonged to the wider first-century world into which the gospel went. Acts presents it as part of the mission field reached by Jewish and Gentile Christian witness under apostolic preaching.

Primary Key Texts

• Acts 14:6, 20-21
• Acts 16:1
• Acts 20:4

Secondary Key Texts

• Acts 14:19-21
• Acts 16:2-3
• Acts 18:23

Original Language Note

From Greek Δέρβη (Derbē), a transliterated place-name.

Theological Significance

Derbe illustrates the geographic spread of the gospel in Acts and the perseverance of missionary labor. It also highlights the pattern of preaching, disciple-making, and strengthening believers after initial evangelism.

Philosophical Explanation

As a place-name, Derbe has no abstract philosophical content. Its value is historical and narrative: it marks a real location within the unfolding mission of the church in Acts.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not overstate what is known about Derbe beyond the biblical text. The exact archaeological identification and precise city boundaries are matters of historical discussion, but these do not affect the meaning of the Acts references.

Major Views

There is no major doctrinal dispute about Derbe. Discussion centers mainly on historical geography and the city’s identification in the ancient world.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Derbe is a biblical location, not a doctrine and not a theological term in itself. It should be treated as a geographical entry supporting interpretation of Acts, not as a point of doctrine.

Practical Significance

Derbe reminds readers that the gospel moved into real cities and ordinary places. It also models follow-up discipleship, since Paul later revisited regions to strengthen believers.

Related Entries

• Paul
• Barnabas
• Timothy
• Acts
• Lycaonia
• Lystra
• Iconium
• Galatia
• missionary journey

See Also

• Acts 14
• Acts 16
• Acts 20
• Lystra
• Iconium
• Lycaonia
• Paul’s missionary journeys