Acts 17:1

Had passed through. Gr. diodeud, “to make one’s way,” from dia, “through,” and hodos, “way.” In the NT the Greek verb occurs only here and in Luke 8:1. Its use provides further evidence for the common authorship of the two books.

Amphipolis. About 30 mi. (48 km.) southwest of Philippi. In earlier days this city was known as Ennea Hodoi (“Nine Roads”), in acknowledgment of its strategic position. Under the Romans, Amphipolis became the capital of the first of the four sections into which the Roman province of Macedonia was divided.

Apollonia. About 30 mi. (48 km.) southwest from Amphipolis. The exact site of the city is uncertain. The two towns just mentioned may have been overnight stops for the travelers from Philippi, although traveling distances of about 30 mi. daily would have placed a great strain on men who had been recently scourged. The missionaries did not linger in the two towns, possibly because they contained few, if any, Jews.

Thessalonica. Situated about 37 mi. (c. 59 km.) slightly north of west from Apollonia. The city was earlier known as Thennae, but had been enlarged by Philip of Macedon, and renamed by Cassander in honor of Thessalonike, his wife and Philip’s daughter. It was well situated for commerce on the Thennaic Gulf, and had become a port of some importance. As Thessalonike it is still an important city.

Synagogue of the Jews. As a busy commercial center, Thessalonica attracted Jews in large numbers. These members of the Dispersion enjoyed religious freedom, and were able to build their own place of worship. It is probable that the synagogue in Thessalonica also served nearby towns whose Jewish populations were not large enough to support a building of their own.