<p>14:6 <i>T</i><i>hey became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region</i>- Carefully following the Lord's instruction to flee persecution rather than wilfully be martyred (Mt. 10:23). Several times, Paul has to be bundled away from such persecution by the disciples; he had the Semitic fanaticism when it comes to religion, and was not against violent death for the Christian cause. But the Lord didn't want His followers to serve and die for Him from such impulses of religious fanaticism. The wisdom of the Lord's command is here demonstrated in that the Gospel now spread as a result of their 'fleeing'- to &quot;the surrounding region&quot;.</p>