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Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

Paul's teaching leads to a riot.
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After leaving Philippi, Paul, Silas, and Timothy (cf. Acts 17:14) travelled west along the Via Egnatia, passing through the Macedonian cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia before finally arriving in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1). Assuming they stopped only for overnight stays in Amphipolis and Apollonia, the journey would have taken three days. – Slide 1
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Thessalonica was a city of about 200,000 people. It had Macedonia’s largest seaport, located at the head of the Thermaic Gulf on the Aegean Sea, and it was also the home of the provincial governor. Although Thessalonica was not a Roman “colony,” as Philippi was, Rome had granted it the status of a “free” city. This meant that there was no Roman garrison within its walls and that it retained the privilege of minting its own coins. – Slide 2
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The Jewish population in Thessalonica was large enough to support a synagogue (Acts 17:1). In the first century, synagogues in the Roman province of Macedonia were typically modest, unassuming buildings that blended into the surrounding urban or residential setting. They generally lacked distinctive external markers of Jewish identity, such as overt symbols, grand facades, or temple-like architectural features. <br/>The interior emphasized communal gathering, Torah study, and public reading rather than elaborate decoration or fixed altars. Tiered benches typically lined the walls for seating, and an elevated platform served as the primary place for reading the Scriptures aloud. Scripture scrolls were stored in a portable wooden chest (ark) set against the wall facing Jerusalem. A special stone chair, known as the Seat of Moses (Matt 23:2), was reserved for prominent teachers, scribes, leaders, or honoured guests. – Slide 3
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Paul went into this synagogue, and for three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures (Acts 17:2). He explained and demonstrated that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead (Acts 17:3). Here, we picture Paul sitting in the Seat of Moses (cf. Matt 23:2) as he teaches. As a trained rabbi and former student of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), Paul probably felt quite at home here. – Slide 4
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He explained that Jesus was the Christ—the very Messiah they had been expecting (Acts 17:3). Although Luke does not specify which Old Testament passages Paul used, they may have included texts such as Psalms 16, 22, and 110, as well as Isaiah 53 (cf. Luke 24:25–26; Acts 13:16–41; 26:23). – Slide 5
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Some of the Jews believed, together with a great multitude of devout (God-fearing) Greeks and a few prominent women (Acts 17:4). Many Gentiles in Thessalonica had ‘turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God’ (1 Thess 1:9). – Slide 6
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As in all major Greco-Roman cities, Thessalonica had a large central marketplace (agora). – Slide 7
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This is view from the edge of the marketplace, looking across the paved stone plaza toward the colonnaded porticoes (stoas). The agora is enclosed on at least three sides by two-story porticoes. Ground-floor shops and workshops line these stoas, their open fronts displaying pottery, fabrics, oil lamps, and other goods for sale. – Slide 8
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The ground level near the intersection of two stoas. Here we observe typical commercial activity: wooden tables and temporary stalls offering fresh produce, bread, fish, pottery, and small wares, with merchants weighing goods and arranging their displays. – Slide 9
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Looking down the length of the two-story portico: rows of stone columns on the left open onto the main square, while shop fronts line the right. A few shopkeepers stand in their doorways. Local Greeks in chitons and himations mingle with Roman citizens in tunics and togas, as merchants and customers haggle or carry their purchases. The diverse ethnic mix underscores the character of a major port city. – Slide 10
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Some of the unbelieving Jews who did not like Paul’s teaching gathered a mob from the marketplace (Acts 17:5). – Slide 11
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This paid mob threw the city into an uproar (Acts 17:5). Although Thessalonica was a wealthy city, many of its residents were unemployed. Such men could easily be ‘bought’ and incited to form a mob. – Slide 12
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The mob attacked Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas (Acts 17:5). – Slide 13
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Apparently, Jason served as Paul’s host while he was in Thessalonica (cf. 1 Thess 2:9). This may have been the same Jason Paul mentioned in Romans 16:21. – Slide 14
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The mob dragged Jason before the city rulers and accused him of harbouring men who were acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees (Acts 17:6–7). – Slide 15
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Thessalonica’s form of government differed from that of Philippi. In the first century it was administered by three to seven elected officials (politarchs). These officials served as the city’s primary civic leaders, overseeing administrative, executive, and judicial matters. Their responsibilities included maintaining public order, responding to disturbances, and managing the city’s general affairs. They exercised authority comparable to that of other Greek city magistrates, though under a title distinctive to the region. – Slide 16
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The rulers of the city took a security deposit (posted bond) from Jason and then released him (Acts 17:9). Because Jason had hosted Paul and Silas, the officials held him responsible for their conduct. This bond served as a guarantee that no further public disturbances would arise from Paul’s preaching. A violation of this bond could have resulted in the confiscation of Jason’s property or even more severe penalties. Fearing for the safety of Paul and Silas, the brethren sent them away by night to Berea (Acts 17:10). – Slide 17
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