City

Derbe

DUR-bee · Modern Kerti Höyük, near Karaman, Turkey

Derbe is a city of the biblical world, known today as Kerti Höyük, near Karaman, Turkey.

What is known

Where Paul and Barnabas fled after being stoned at Lystra, and where they made many disciples before retracing their route (Acts 14:20-21)
Hometown of Gaius, one of Paul's traveling companions (Acts 20:4)

History

Founded: A Roman-era town in Lycaonia
Population: Estimated 1,000–2,000 residents in the 1st century AD — one of the smallest Lycaonian towns
Coordinates: 37.3493° N, 33.3617° E

Archaeology

Derbe's location was long uncertain. In 1956 archaeologist Michael Ballance identified the site with Kerti Höyük based on a Greek inscription naming the city's council and people. Surface finds span the Bronze Age through Byzantine periods, but the identification rests on that single inscription rather than extensive excavation.

Scripture references

Acts 14:20-21
Acts 16:1
Acts 20:4

On a modern map

Derbe today

More places

Capstone Bible is a free interactive study app — a map of every place in this library, a zoomable timeline of biblical and church history, the Bible text with every name in it linked to its article, reading plans and personal notes.

Open Capstone Bible