Location
Overview
Thessalonica was the chief city and a free port of Macedonia, where Paul founded a vigorous church on his second journey and to which he wrote two of his earliest letters.
Three sabbaths of reasoning
"Paul... three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures," showing that the Christ must suffer and rise, and some believed, with "a great multitude" of Greeks and "chief women not a few" (Acts 17:1–4).
"Turned the world upside down"
Jealous opponents stirred a mob and dragged believers before the rulers, charging, "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also" (Acts 17:5–6) — an unintended testimony to the gospel's power.
An example to all
The church Paul left behind became a model: "ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia... from you sounded out the word of the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 1:7–8).
Events Here
Paul preaches in Thessalonica and founds a church
Scripture References
6 versesActs4 verses
Acts 17:1
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
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.
Philippians1 verse
Philippians 4:16
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
2 Timothy1 verse
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.
Archaeology & History
Thessalonica (modern Thessaloniki) was founded in 315 BC and named for a half-sister of Alexander the Great. As the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia and a major port on the Via Egnatia, it was a strategic centre — which made the rapid "sounding out" of the gospel from it especially significant.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Thessalonica
Where is Thessalonica today?
Today, Thessalonica corresponds to Thessaloniki, Greece.
What does the name Thessalonica mean?
The name Thessalonica means “Named after Thessalonike, sister of Alexander”.
What happened at Thessalonica in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Thessalonica include paul preaches in thessalonica and founds a church.
Where is Thessalonica first mentioned in the Bible?
Thessalonica is first mentioned in Acts 17:1.
How often is Thessalonica mentioned in the Bible?
Thessalonica is mentioned in 6 verses across 3 books: Acts, Philippians, 2 Timothy.
What happened at Thessalonica?
Paul reasoned in the synagogue for three sabbaths and founded a thriving church; opponents stirred up a mob, complaining that those who "turned the world upside down" had come there too.
What is Thessalonica today?
It is Thessaloniki, the second-largest city of modern Greece, on the Aegean coast of Macedonia.