Acts 17:1

KJV

¶ Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} when they had passed through {G1353} Amphipolis {G295} and {G2532} Apollonia {G624}, they came {G2064} to {G1519} Thessalonica {G2332}, where {G3699} was {G2258} a synagogue {G4864} of the Jews {G2453}:

Complete Jewish Bible

After passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, Sha’ul and Sila came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue.

Berean Standard Bible

When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.

American Standard Version

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 17:1 succinctly chronicles a pivotal segment of Paul's second missionary journey, detailing the apostolic team's passage through Amphipolis and Apollonia before their arrival in Thessalonica. This verse sets the geographical and strategic stage for their next significant evangelistic endeavor, highlighting their intentional movement towards a major urban center where a Jewish synagogue provided a crucial starting point for proclaiming the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic events in Philippi, where Paul and Silas were imprisoned, miraculously freed, and saw the conversion of the jailer and his household ([Acts 16:25-40](/acts/16-25-40 "Acts 16:25-40 - Paul and Silas in Prison")). Having been urged to leave Philippi, Acts 17:1 marks the continuation of their journey southwest along the ancient Roman road, the Via Egnatia. It serves as a concise transition, moving the narrative from one significant city to the next, and directly precedes Paul's customary practice of preaching in the Jewish synagogue, which becomes the central focus of the subsequent verses in Thessalonica ([Acts 17:2-9](/acts/17-2-9 "Acts 17:2-9 - Paul in Thessalonica")). The brevity of the mention of Amphipolis and Apollonia underscores that these were transit points, not primary ministry locations, emphasizing the team's strategic focus on larger urban centers like Thessalonica.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The journey described in Acts 17:1 takes place within the Roman province of Macedonia. The cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia were significant stops along the Via Egnatia, a vital military and commercial highway that stretched across the Balkan peninsula, connecting Rome's eastern territories. This road facilitated rapid travel and communication, making it a natural route for the apostles. Thessalonica, their destination, was the capital of Macedonia and a thriving port city with considerable political and economic influence. As a "free city" (civitas libera), it enjoyed a degree of self-governance under Roman rule, making it an attractive and strategic hub for the nascent Christian movement to establish a foothold. The presence of "a synagogue of the Jews" in Thessalonica was a common feature in major diaspora cities, serving as the center of Jewish community life, worship, and study, and crucially, as Paul's preferred initial venue for evangelism.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 17:1 introduces and reinforces several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Acts. Firstly, it highlights **Strategic Evangelism**, demonstrating Paul's consistent missionary methodology of first engaging with the Jewish community in their synagogues. This approach, seen repeatedly in Paul's journeys, such as in [Pisidian Antioch](/acts/13-14 "Acts 13:14 - Paul's Preaching in Pisidian Antioch") and [Corinth](/acts/18-4 "Acts 18:4 - Paul Reasoning in the Synagogue at Corinth"), allowed him to leverage common theological ground in the Old Testament Scriptures and address an audience already familiar with monotheism and messianic expectations. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Missionary Progression and Geographical Expansion**. The continuous movement of the apostles—"passed through" and "came to"—illustrates the dynamic, outward thrust of the early Christian mission, actively spreading the Gospel across the Roman world. Finally, though not explicitly stated in this single verse, the journey is implicitly part of the larger theme of **Divine Direction**, as the apostles' movements were often guided by the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by the earlier [Macedonian Call](/acts/16-9-10 "Acts 16:9-10 - The Macedonian Call") that brought them to Europe in the first place.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **passed through (Greek, _diodeúō'_):** This verb, derived from "through" (διά) and "to travel" (ὁδεύω), literally means "to travel through" or "to go throughout." In the context of Acts 17:1, it signifies that Amphipolis and Apollonia were not places where the missionary team intended to establish a prolonged ministry or plant a church. Instead, they were merely traversed as part of the journey to a more strategic destination, highlighting the intentionality and focused nature of Paul's travel plans.
* **came (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This is a versatile and common Greek verb indicating motion, meaning "to come" or "to go" in a wide variety of applications. Here, it denotes the successful arrival of Paul and his companions at their intended destination, Thessalonica. The shift from "passing through" to "came to" emphasizes that Thessalonica was the specific goal of this leg of their journey, a place where they planned to stop and minister.
* **synagogue (Greek, _synagōgḗ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to gather together," _synagōgḗ_ refers to an "assemblage of persons" and, more specifically, a Jewish place of worship and community gathering in the diaspora. For Paul, the synagogue was not merely a building but a pre-existing community of people who revered the Old Testament Scriptures and often anticipated the Messiah. It served as a natural and strategic entry point for his proclamation of Jesus as the Christ, providing a ready audience familiar with the biblical narrative.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia,"**: This opening clause establishes the immediate past action and the route taken by Paul and his companions. The use of "passed through" (G1353, _diodeúō_) clearly indicates that these two cities were not targets for extended ministry but rather waypoints on a longer journey. This suggests a strategic decision to conserve time and resources for larger, more influential centers.
* **"they came to Thessalonica,"**: This clause states the primary destination of this leg of the journey. The verb "came" (G2064, _érchomai_) signifies their arrival with intent to settle and minister, contrasting with their mere passage through the previous towns. Thessalonica's status as a major city and regional capital made it an ideal location for establishing a significant Christian presence.
* **"where was a synagogue of the Jews:"**: This final clause provides the crucial detail that explains Paul's strategic choice of Thessalonica. The presence of a "synagogue of the Jews" (G4864, _synagōgḗ_ of G2453, _Ioudaîos_) was fundamental to Paul's missionary method. It indicates a pre-existing community of monotheistic worshipers familiar with the Old Testament prophecies, providing a natural and logical starting point for Paul to present Jesus as the promised Messiah.

#### Literary Devices
The literary style of Acts 17:1 is characterized by its concise **Itinerary** or **Travelogue** format. Luke, the author, frequently employs this device to track the geographical progression of the early Christian mission, providing specific place names that lend a strong sense of **Geographical Realism** and historical authenticity to the narrative. The precise naming of Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica grounds the spiritual narrative in tangible historical settings. Furthermore, the final phrase, "where was a synagogue of the Jews," functions as a subtle **Foreshadowing**. For readers familiar with Paul's established missionary pattern, the mention of the synagogue immediately signals that the next events will likely involve Paul's customary practice of preaching the Gospel to the Jewish community, setting up the narrative for the detailed account of his ministry in Thessalonica that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 17:1, though brief, is rich in theological implications. It underscores the intentionality and strategic nature of early Christian missions, driven by a divine mandate to spread the Gospel "to the Jew first and also to the Greek" ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")). Paul's consistent methodology of beginning in the synagogue reflects a deep understanding of God's redemptive history, recognizing that the Messiah was promised through Israel and that the Old Testament Scriptures were the foundation upon which the Gospel of Jesus Christ was built. This approach facilitated the initial reception of the message among those already familiar with monotheism and messianic expectations, even if it often led to opposition. The relentless travel also illustrates the Holy Spirit's dynamic guidance, propelling the apostles to new territories and demonstrating the unstoppable expansion of God's kingdom through human instruments.

* [Acts 13:14](/acts/13-14 "Acts 13:14 - Paul's Preaching in Pisidian Antioch Synagogue")
* [Acts 16:9-10](/acts/16-9-10 "Acts 16:9-10 - The Macedonian Call")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 17:1 offers profound insights for contemporary Christian life and mission. Paul's strategic approach to evangelism—identifying key locations and leveraging existing community structures like the synagogue—challenges believers today to be intentional and discerning in their outreach. We are called to seek out our own "Thessalonicas," places of influence or gathering where the Gospel can take root and spread effectively. This might involve engaging with professional networks, community groups, or even online platforms, finding common ground or shared interests as a bridge to introduce the transformative truth of Christ. The verse also highlights the perseverance required for missionary work, whether across continents or in our local neighborhoods. Just as Paul and his team "passed through" less strategic areas to reach their intended destination, we too must maintain focus on our ultimate mission, demonstrating unwavering commitment and reliance on divine guidance as we seek to make Christ known in our sphere of influence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we identify "strategic centers" or influential communities in our own contexts where the Gospel might have the greatest impact?**
* **In what ways can we, like Paul, effectively leverage existing community structures, shared interests, or cultural common ground to introduce the message of Christ?**
* **What does Paul's commitment to continuous travel and reaching new places teach us about the importance of perseverance and intentionality in our personal evangelism and church mission?**

### FAQ
**Why did Paul and his team "pass through" Amphipolis and Apollonia instead of stopping to preach there?**

Answer: Paul's missionary strategy, often guided by the Holy Spirit, focused on establishing churches in major urban centers that served as regional hubs. Amphipolis and Apollonia, while important towns along the Via Egnatia, were likely considered less strategic for long-term ministry compared to Thessalonica, which was the capital of Macedonia and a bustling port city. By "passing through," the team maximized their time and resources, prioritizing the establishment of a strong Gospel presence in a city with greater potential for the message to radiate outwards, as seen in [1 Thessalonians 1:8](/1_thessalonians/1-8 "1 Thessalonians 1:8 - The Thessalonians' Faith Spreads").

**What was the significance of the "synagogue of the Jews" for Paul's missionary work?**

Answer: The synagogue served as Paul's customary starting point for evangelism in any new city. It was a crucial strategic advantage because it provided a ready audience already familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures, monotheism, and the expectation of a Messiah. This allowed Paul to present Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies, building upon a shared theological foundation. While his ministry often extended to Gentiles, his initial approach in the synagogue was consistent, as evidenced in other accounts like [Acts 13:14-41](/acts/13-14-41 "Acts 13:14-41 - Paul's Sermon in Pisidian Antioch") and [Acts 18:4](/acts/18-4 "Acts 18:4 - Paul in Corinth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 17:1, though a simple itinerary, points to the ongoing mission of Christ through His body, the Church. Paul's journey to Thessalonica, specifically to the "synagogue of the Jews," echoes Jesus' own ministry, which consistently began "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" ([Matthew 10:6](/matthew/10-6 "Matthew 10:6 - Jesus' Commission to the Twelve")). Just as Jesus taught in synagogues throughout Galilee ([Luke 4:16](/luke/4-16 "Luke 4:16 - Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth")), Paul followed this pattern, presenting Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The strategic movement of the apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, is a direct outworking of Christ's Great Commission to "go and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). The very act of reaching a new city with the Gospel, even if initially to the Jewish community, was a step towards gathering people from "every tribe and language and people and nation" into Christ's kingdom ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - Multitude from Every Nation")), demonstrating the universal scope of His redemptive work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 4:16

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

1 Thessalonians 1:1

¶ Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians [which is] in God the Father and [in] the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:1

¶ Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Acts 20:4

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.

2 Timothy 4:10

For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Acts 17:13

But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

Acts 27:2

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.