Biblical Archaeology Review

The Sibylline Oracle (supposedly written by the Sibyl at Cumae during the first century B.C.E.—but heavily interpolated by Jews, Christians and others)—offers this observation: “Stalwart Laodicea, a quake will one day topple and level you, but you will stand rebuilt as a city” (4.107). Another of the oracles is more provocative: “But when a destructive man comes from Italy, then Laodicea, dashed down headlong, beautiful town of the Carians by the wonderful waters of Lycus, you will be silent, bemoaning a conceited parent” (3.470).

At the conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, the apostle expanded his account of Epaphras: “I bear him witness that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis” (Colossians 4:13). From this statement, it is logical to assume that Epaphras had a hand in the evangelism of Laodicea and Hierapolis in addition to Colossae.

Paul described him as “our beloved fellow bondservant” and as “a faithful servant of Christ on your behalf” (Colossians 1:7).

Acts 19:9 declares that during Paul’s lengthy stay—for more than two years—in Ephesus on his third mission, the apostle established a school for the training of his disciples. This school, called the School of Tyrannus, operated for two years until Paul’s departure from Ephesus. The school operated in quarters provided by a patron named Tyrannus. An inscription bearing the name of Tyrannus has been found in Ephesus and is currently on display in the Ephesus Museum.

Schnabel, Acts, p. 667.

The route would have gone north of the Messogis Mountains and connected with the Cayster River valley leading to Ephesus.

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles. PNTC (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2009), p. 528; Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, ZECNT (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), p. 783.

Celal Şimşek, “A Menorah with a Cross Carved on a Column of Nymphaeum A at Laodicea ad Lycum,” Journal of Roman Archaeology 19 (2006), pp. 343–346.