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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 17:1 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/17-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/44_Act_17_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 17:1 - Paul Preaches at Thessalonica" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/16-40.htm" title="Acts 16:40">◄</a> Acts 17:1 <a href="/acts/17-2.htm" title="Acts 17:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/17.htm">New International Version</a> When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <a href="/nlt/acts/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <a href="/esv/acts/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/kjv/acts/17.htm">King James Bible</a> Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: <a href="/nkjv/acts/17.htm">New King James Version</a> Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/nasb_/acts/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/nasb/acts/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/nasb77/acts/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/lsb/acts/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/amp/acts/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now after Paul and Silas had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/csb/acts/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <a href="/hcsb/acts/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then they traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <a href="/asv/acts/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: <a href="/cev/acts/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> After Paul and his friends had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they went on to Thessalonica. A synagogue was in that city. <a href="/erv/acts/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: <a href="/gwt/acts/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Paul and Silas traveled through the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to the city of Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue. <a href="/gnt/acts/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> Paul and Silas traveled on through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue. <a href="/isv/acts/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> Paul and Silas traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <a href="/msb/acts/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <a href="/net/acts/17.htm">NET Bible</a> After they traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <a href="/nheb/acts/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <a href="/wbt/acts/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now when they had passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Then, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they went to Thessalonica. Here there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/web/acts/17.htm">World English Bible</a> Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And having passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where the synagogue of the Jews was, <a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/ylt/acts/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And having passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was the synagogue of the Jews, <a href="/slt/acts/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And having passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> AND when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/cpdv/acts/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now when they had walked through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arrived at Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/nabre/acts/17.htm">New American Bible</a> When they took the road through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they reached Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> They passed by the cities of Am-phip’olis and Ap-ol-lo’ni-a, and came to Thessa- lo-ni’ca, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> They passed unto the cities Amphipolis and Apollonia and they came to Thessaloniqa where there was a synagogue of the Jews.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/godbey/acts/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And having traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came into Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/haweis/acts/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> SO journeying through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of Jews: <a href="/mace/acts/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Having pass'd thro' Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arriv'd at Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue. <a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Then, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they went to Thessalonica. Here there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/worrell/acts/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, having passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews; <a href="/worsley/acts/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. <a href="/parallel/acts/17-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5559" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm">Paul Preaches at Thessalonica</a> 1<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">When</a> <a href="/greek/1353.htm" title="1353: Diodeusantes (V-APA-NMP) -- To journey through, go about. From dia and hodeuo; to travel through.">they had passed through</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/295.htm" title="295: Amphipolin (N-AFS) -- From the base of amphoteros and polis; a city surrounded by a river; Amphipolis, a place in Macedonia.">Amphipolis</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/624.htm" title="624: Apollōnian (N-AFS) -- Apollonia, a city of Macedonia. From the pagan deity Apollon; Apollonia, a place in Macedonia.">Apollonia,</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ēlthon (V-AIA-3P) -- To come, go. ">they came</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/2332.htm" title="2332: Thessalonikēn (N-AFS) -- From Thessalos and nike; Thessalonice, a place in Asia Minor.">Thessalonica,</a> <a href="/greek/3699.htm" title="3699: hopou (Adv) -- Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot.">where</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">there was</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2453.htm" title="2453: Ioudaiōn (Adj-GMP) -- Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.">a Jewish</a> <a href="/greek/4864.htm" title="4864: synagōgē (N-NFS) -- From sunago; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish synagogue; by analogy, a Christian church.">synagogue.</a> 2As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/16-12.htm">Acts 16:12</a> From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. <a href="/acts/20-4.htm">Acts 20:4</a> Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-1.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:1</a> Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-2.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:2</a> As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God. <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:9</a> Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-1.htm">1 Thessalonians 3:1-2</a> So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens. / We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, <a href="/philippians/4-16.htm">Philippians 4:16</a> For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-9.htm">2 Corinthians 11:9</a> And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so. <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-1.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:1</a> Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-2.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:2</a> not to be easily disconcerted or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come. <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-1.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:1-2</a> Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread quickly and be held in honor, just as it was with you. / And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men; for not everyone holds to the faith. <a href="/romans/15-19.htm">Romans 15:19</a> by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. <a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Matthew 4:13</a> Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, <a href="/luke/4-31.htm">Luke 4:31</a> Then He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath He began to teach the people. <a href="/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5</a> So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:Thessalonica.<a href="/acts/20-4.htm">Acts 20:4</a> And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.<a href="/acts/27-2.htm">Acts 27:2</a> And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.<a href="/philippians/4-16.htm">Philippians 4:16</a> For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.where.<a href="/acts/14-1.htm">Acts 14:1</a> And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.<a href="/acts/15-21.htm">Acts 15:21</a> For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.<a href="/acts/16-13.htm">Acts 16:13</a> And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/16-1.htm">Jewish</a> <a href="/acts/16-21.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/acts/16-4.htm">Journeyed</a> <a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/acts/16-10.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/acts/14-1.htm">Synagogue</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-10.htm">Thessalonica</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-10.htm">Thessaloni'ca</a> <a href="/acts/16-6.htm">Traveled</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/17-10.htm">Jewish</a> <a href="/acts/17-4.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/acts/26-12.htm">Journeyed</a> <a href="/acts/17-23.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/acts/17-23.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/acts/17-2.htm">Synagogue</a> <a href="/acts/17-11.htm">Thessalonica</a> <a href="/acts/17-11.htm">Thessaloni'ca</a> <a href="/acts/18-23.htm">Traveled</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 17</div>1. <a href="/acts/17-1.htm">Paul preaches at Thessalonica, where some believe,</a> 5. <a href="/acts/17-5.htm">and others persecute him.</a> 10. <a href="/acts/17-10.htm">He is sent to Berea, and preaches there.</a> 13. <a href="/acts/17-13.htm">Being persecuted by Jews from Thessalonica,</a> 16. <a href="/acts/17-16.htm">he comes to Athens, and disputes and preaches the living God, to them unknown;</a> 32. <a href="/acts/17-32.htm">whereby, though some mock, many are converted unto Christ.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia Amphipolis and Apollonia were cities in the Roman province of Macedonia. Amphipolis was a significant city due to its strategic location near the Strymon River and its proximity to the Aegean Sea, making it a vital hub for trade and military movements. Apollonia, though less prominent, was an important stop on the Via Egnatia, the major Roman road connecting the Adriatic Sea to Byzantium. The journey through these cities indicates the missionary strategy of Paul and his companions, focusing on urban centers connected by major trade routes to spread the Gospel efficiently.they came to Thessalonica Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia and a major port city, making it a bustling center of commerce and culture. Its status as a free city within the Roman Empire allowed for a degree of self-governance, which contributed to its diverse population and vibrant public life. The city's strategic location on the Via Egnatia made it an ideal place for Paul to establish a church, as the Gospel could easily spread from there to other regions. Thessalonica's significance is underscored by the two epistles Paul later wrote to the church there, addressing issues of faith, persecution, and eschatology.where there was a Jewish synagogue The presence of a Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica indicates a substantial Jewish community, which was common in major cities of the Roman Empire. Synagogues served as centers for worship, education, and community life for Jews living in the diaspora. Paul's custom was to begin his ministry in a new city by preaching in the synagogue, as it provided a ready audience familiar with the Scriptures. This approach allowed him to connect the message of Jesus Christ to the Jewish hope for a Messiah, as well as to engage with God-fearing Gentiles who attended the synagogue. This strategy is consistent with Paul's declaration in <a href="/romans/1-16.htm">Romans 1:16</a> that the Gospel is "first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_and_silas.htm">Paul and Silas</a> Key figures in the early Christian church, known for their missionary journeys to spread the Gospel. In <a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm">Acts 17</a>, they are traveling together to preach and establish churches. 2. <a href="/topical/a/amphipolis.htm">Amphipolis</a> A city in Macedonia, significant as a strategic location on the Via Egnatia, a major Roman road. It was a stopping point for Paul and Silas on their journey. 3. <a href="/topical/a/apollonia.htm">Apollonia</a> Another city in Macedonia, located between Amphipolis and Thessalonica. It served as a waypoint for Paul and Silas. 4. <a href="/topical/t/thessalonica.htm">Thessalonica</a> A major city in Macedonia, known for its diverse population and as a hub of commerce and culture. It had a significant Jewish population, which is why Paul and Silas visited the synagogue there. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_synagogue.htm">Jewish Synagogue</a> A place of worship and community for Jews. Paul often began his ministry in a new city by preaching in the synagogue, as it provided an audience familiar with the Scriptures.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/strategic_evangelism.htm">Strategic Evangelism</a> Paul and Silas's journey through key cities like Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica highlights the importance of strategic planning in ministry. They chose locations that were influential and had existing Jewish communities. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_engagement.htm">Cultural Engagement</a> By starting in the synagogue, Paul engaged with the cultural and religious context of the Jews, showing respect and understanding of their traditions while introducing the Gospel. <a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_ministry.htm">Perseverance in Ministry</a> Despite potential challenges, Paul and Silas continued their mission. This teaches us the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in our own ministry efforts. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_fellowship.htm">Community and Fellowship</a> The synagogue served as a community hub, reminding us of the importance of fellowship and gathering with others to grow in faith.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XVII.(1) Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia.--The two cities were both on the great Roman roads known as the Via Egnatia. Amphipolis, formerly known as Ennea Hodoi, or the Nine Ways, was famous in the Peloponnesian War as the scene of the death of Brasidas, and had been made, under the Romans, the capital of Macedonia prima. It was thirty-three Roman miles from Philippi and thirty from Apollonia, the latter being thirty-seven from Thessalonica. The site of Apollonia is uncertain, but the name is, perhaps, traceable in the modern village of Polina, between the Strymonic and Thermaic Gulfs. A more famous city of the same name, also on the Via Egnatia, was situated near Dyrrhacium. It seems clear that the names indicated the stages at which the travellers rested, and that thirty miles a day a somewhat toilsome journey for those who had so recently been scourged) was, as with most men of ordinary strength, their average rate of travelling. It would seem that there was no Jewish population to present an opening for the gospel at either of these cities, and that St. Paul, therefore, passed on to Thessalonica.Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews.--The city, which had previously borne the names of Emathia, Halia, and Therma, had been enlarged by Philip of Macedon, and named after his daughter. It was situated on the Thermaic Gulf, and had grown into a commercial port of considerable importance. As such, it had attracted Jews in large numbers. The MSS. differ as to the presence or absence of the Greek article before "synagogue," but, on the whole, it is probable that we should read, "the synagogue," that which served for the Jews of the neighbouring cities, who were not numerous enough to have one of their own. The old name survives in the modern Saloniki, and there is still a large Jewish population there.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - Amphipolis. This was the ancient capital of that division of Macedonia (Macedonia Prima); see <a href="/acts/16-12.htm">Acts 16:12</a>, note. It was situated on the Via Egnatia, thirty-four miles southwest from Philippi, and three miles from the AEgean Sea. It lay in a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the Strymon, whence its name, Amphipolis; its modern name is Neokhoria, now a village. Its original name was Ἐννέα  ῾οδοί, The Nine Ways. Originally a Thracian city, it was conquered by the Athenians, then by the Lacedaemonians, then fell under the dominion of Philip of Macedon, and finally, with the rest of Macedonia, became part of the Roman empire. Apollonia; now probably Polina, thirty miles due west of Amphipolis, on the Via Egnatia. The modern track from Amphipolis to Thessalonica does not pass through Polina, but beneath it. Thessalonica; on the Via Egnatia, now the important seaport of Saloniki, on the Aegean Sea or Archipelago, thirty-eight miles from Apollonia, and con-raining about sixty thousand inhabitants. Its ancient name was Therma (whence the Thermean Bay), but it took the name of Thessalonica under the Macedonian kings. It continued to grow in importance under the Romans, and was the most populous city of the whole of Macedonia. It was the capital of Macedonia Secunda under the division by AEmilius Paulus (<a href="/acts/16-12.htm">Acts 16:12</a>, note), and in the time of Theodosius the Younger, when Macedonia consisted of two provinces, it was the capital of Macedonia Prima. But from its situation and great commercial importance it was virtually the capital of "Greece, Macedonia, and Illyricum" (Howson, in ' Dict. of Geog.'). Its trade attracted a great colony of Jews from before the time of St. Paul, and through the Roman and Greek and Turkish empires, down to the present day, when "one-half of the population is said to be of Israelitish race "(Lewin). Thessalonica had a terrible celebrity from the massacre of its inhabitants by order of the Emperor Theodosius, in revenge for the murder of Botheric, his general, which led to the famous penance imposed upon the emperor by St. Ambrose (Gibbon,' Decline and Fall,' <a href="/acts/27.htm">Acts 27</a>.). It was also taken three times in the Middle Ages: by the Saracens, with fearful slaughter, A.D. 904; by the Normans, with scarcely less cruelty, A.D. 1185; and by the Turks, in 1430. Its ecclesiastical history under its archbishops is also of great interest (see 'Dict. of Greek and Roman Geog.'). Where was a synagogue. It is needless to point out the exact agreement of this brief statement with historical fact as pointed out above. There is said to have been twenty-two Jewish synagogues at Thessalonica after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in the fifteenth century, and the number at the present time is stated to be thirty-six. The existence of a synagogue at this time was the reason of St. Paul's visit and sojourn there. <a href="/commentaries/acts/17-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[When] δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. they had passed through Διοδεύσαντες (Diodeusantes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1353.htm">Strong's 1353: </a> To journey through, go about. From dia and hodeuo; to travel through. Amphipolis Ἀμφίπολιν (Amphipolin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_295.htm">Strong's 295: </a> From the base of amphoteros and polis; a city surrounded by a river; Amphipolis, a place in Macedonia. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. Apollonia, Ἀπολλωνίαν (Apollōnian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_624.htm">Strong's 624: </a> Apollonia, a city of Macedonia. From the pagan deity Apollon; Apollonia, a place in Macedonia. they came ἦλθον (ēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Thessalonica, Θεσσαλονίκην (Thessalonikēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2332.htm">Strong's 2332: </a> From Thessalos and nike; Thessalonice, a place in Asia Minor. where ὅπου (hopou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3699.htm">Strong's 3699: </a> Where, whither, in what place. From hos and pou; what(-ever) where, i.e. At whichever spot. there was ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. a Jewish Ἰουδαίων (Ioudaiōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2453.htm">Strong's 2453: </a> Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. synagogue. συναγωγὴ (synagōgē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4864.htm">Strong's 4864: </a> From sunago; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish 'synagogue'; by analogy, a Christian church. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/17-1.htm">Acts 17:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/17-1.htm">Acts 17:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/17-1.htm">Acts 17:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/17-1.htm">Acts 17:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/17-1.htm">Acts 17:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/17-1.htm">Acts 17:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/17-1.htm">Acts 17:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/17-1.htm">Acts 17:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/17-1.htm">Acts 17:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/17-1.htm">Acts 17:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/17-1.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/16-40.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 16:40"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 16:40" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/17-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 17:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 17:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>