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Thessalonica

The capital of Macedonia and a major port on the Via Egnatia.

Illustrated aerial view of ancient Thessalonica on the Thermaic Gulf with its harbor, agora, and the Via Egnatia, plus a map of Paul’s route among Philippi, Berea, and Athens and verses from Acts 17 and 1–2 Thessalonians.
Illustrated reconstruction, not a photograph. Select the image to view it full size.

What the sources say, and how sure we are

  • The text says

    Paul preaches in the synagogue for three sabbaths, and a mob accuses his host Jason before the city officials. He later writes two letters to the church there.Acts 17:1–9; 1 Thess 1:1

  • Outside evidence

    An inscription from the city names its magistrates as politarchs, a term Acts uses for the officials before whom Jason is brought. The Via Egnatia ran through the city.Politarch Inscription; Acts 17:6

  • Debated

    Acts describes three sabbaths in the synagogue, but Paul’s letters suggest a longer stay, since the Philippians sent him gifts more than once at Thessalonica. Scholars differ on how long he remained.Phil 4:16; 1 Thess 2:9

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