they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,
In these verses we have, I. The preaching of the gospel in Iconium, whither the apostles were forced to retire from Antioch. As the blood of the martyrs has been the seed of the church, so the banishment of the confessors has helped to scatter that seed. Observe, 1.
Commenting on Acts 14:1-7
They were ware of it,.... They understood it, were apprised of it, and well weighed it, and considered it in their minds, and what was best to be done at this juncture: and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia; according to the orders and command of Christ, Mat 10:23 not so much to save their lives, as to spread the Gospel in other parts.
Verse 6. They were ware of it. They were in some way informed of the excitement and of their danger. And fled unto Lystra. This was a city of Lycaonia, and was a few miles south of Iconlure. It is now called Latik. And Derbe. Derbe was a short distance east of Lystra. Cities of Lycaonia. Lycaonia was one of the provinces of Asia Minor.