📖 Biblical Definition
Derbe was a city in Lycaonia — the eastern frontier of Paul’s first missionary journey, in southern Asia Minor. After being dragged outside Lystra and stoned and left for dead, Paul rose and the next day departed with Barnabas to Derbe: "And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra" (Acts 14:20-21). Gaius of Derbe later traveled with Paul, joining the collection-delegation to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). Of all the cities Paul evangelized on the first journey, Derbe is the only one where Acts records no opposition, no riot, no expulsion. Sometimes the gospel field is hostile; sometimes it is, briefly, ready. Preach in both.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
DERBE — a Lycaonian city preserved as the quietest stop of Paul's first journey; the city without a riot.
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Webster 1828 omits the proper name. Acts presents Derbe as the unusual exception: Paul preached, made many disciples, and left without being arrested, beaten, stoned, or driven out. After the violence of Lystra and Iconium, Derbe is a brief Sabbath of fruitful labor before the long return through hostile cities to Antioch.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 14:20 — "However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe."
Acts 14:21 — "And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch."
Acts 16:1 — "Then he came to Derbe and Lystra."
Acts 20:4 — "And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia — also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Not every gospel city is a battlefield; Derbe shows that quiet harvest is also kingdom work.
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The dramatic-conversion narrative dominates modern ministry literature, but Derbe stands as the inspired counterexample: many disciples, no riot, no chains. The Spirit gives both Lystras and Derbes, and faithfulness is required in both.
The corruption is the assumption that gospel work without persecution is gospel work without power. Derbe was apostolic ground, evangelized by Paul, fruitful enough to send Gaius into the missionary band. The quiet city is no less the kingdom's than the loud one.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek Derbē (G1191); paired with mathēteuō (to make disciples) used here.
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G1191 — Derbē — Derbe; a city of Lycaonia
G3100 — mathēteuō — to make disciples; what Paul did at Derbe
G2425 — hikanos — many, sufficient — many disciples were made
Usage
"He departed with Barnabas to Derbe (Acts 14:20)."
"They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples (Acts 14:21)."
"Gaius of Derbe (Acts 20:4) carried the city's name into Paul's later band."