The island of Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Islands. Cyprus is rich in copper and timber.

Saul and Barnabas preached in Cyprus’ synagogues. They traveled through Cyprus on foot. Saul and Barnabas met Sergius Paulus at Paphos, Cyprus’ capitol. Sergius was a deputy, or proconsul, of a province in Cyprus. Serguis was with a sorcerer named Barjesus or Elymas. Elymas tried to prevent Serguis from believing Saul, however, Saul blinded him for his wickedness. Sergius was amazed at this, and became saved. Saul’s name was changed to Paul.

The chief city of Perga is Pamphylia. Perga was governed by Rome but they had a Greek culture. Perga is located in sultry low-land areas which explains its humid temperature.

There are several possible reasons why John Mark left Paul and Barnabas at Perga. He might have been homesick; he had been away from his home for three or four months. He could have had a disagreement with Paul and was too strong-headed to continue working with him. Hardships might have caused him to quit which included a 90-mile trip through mountains with thieves. Paul possibly contacted malaria in Perga.

Antioch of Pisidia, a Roman colony, was called Little Rome. It was a center for military administration. It was also the crossroads for business Asia.

Paul and Barnabas preached at the synagogues. Paul preached on God’s history with the Israelites and Jesus’ death on the cross. The Gentiles liked Paul’s preaching and they asked him to preach to them next sabbath. Many proselytes (Gentiles who accept themselves as Jews) followed Paul and listened to his teaching. However, many envious Jews opposed Paul and Barnabas. This caused Paul and Barnabas to turn to the Gentiles. The Gentiles were glad to accept Paul and many people were saved. But the Jews gathered influential men and women of Antioch of Pisidia and threw Paul and Barnabas out of the city.

Iconium was a major agricultural center. It was positioned on an open flat plain. The main language was Greek.

Paul and Barnabas received a large crowd at the synagogues and many were saved. The Jews didn’t believe Paul and they stirred up people against him. Paul strengthened the young converts to stand against the opposition of the Jews, but it soon became divided between the new converts and the Jews. The Jews made a plan to stone the two apostles, but Paul and Barnabas fled when they heard the news.

Lystra was located on the central region of Asia Minor and was founded by Augustus Caesar in 6 BC. Lystra was built on a hill rising 150 feet above the surrounding sea.

It was located eight miles south of the great trade route. Lystra had a population consisting of Romans and Greeks.

Paul met a crippled man who couldn’t walk. The man had heard Paul speak and he believed that God could heal him. Paul realized his faith, and he healed him. When the people saw Paul heal the crippled man, they thought Barnabas and him were gods. They called Paul, "Mercury", and Barnabas, "Jupiter." They were about to make a sacrifice unto them, but Paul and Barnabas rent their clothes, and told them of their error. A few days later, the Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuaded the people to stone Paul. The people took him out of the city and stoned him until they thought he was dead. After they left, Paul rose up and left with Barnabas to Derbe.

Derbe was located on the southeast corner of Lycoania. The official name of Derbe is Cladioderbe.

Paul and Barnabas preached in Derbe, and many were saved. They seemed to have endured no persecution here. They possibly resided here over the winter to recover from the stoning in Lystra and to prepare for the journey back. Paul returned the same way he came (Lystra, Iconium, Antioch of Pisidia, Perga, and Antioch of Syria.)