Thessaloniki Biblical Information

Thessaloniki biblical tours

St. Paul came to Thessalonica from Philippi (probably in 50 CE). He went to the synagogue for three Sabbath days (Acts 17:1-9). In Thessalonica, some proselyte Greeks and the chief women believed St. Paul's preaching. The Jews who did not believe caused uproar in the city and assaulted the house of Jason in order to bring out St. Paul and Silas. The people took Jason (St. Paul's host) and other believers to the rulers, accusing Jason of harboring traitors to Caesar.

Jason and the other brethren were given a bond on the agreement that St. Paul would leave the area. St. Paul and Silas were sent away immediately by night to Berea. The decree of Claudius that expelled Jews from Rome was probably broadcast to the people along the Via Egnatia at about the time of St. Paul's visit. The Politarchs of the city were no doubt forced to act against St. Paul.
The preaching of the gospel in Thessalonica was very important and facilitated the spreading of the faith to all of Macedonia (1 Thessalonians 1:8). From St. Paul's letters to the Thessalonians it was evident that their faith was known throughout the region. They were a group of believers St. Paul remembered with great love and commendation in his letters. Aristachus and Secundus (of Thessalonica) believers labored with St. Paul (Acts 20:4; 27:2).

After his departure, St. Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica. The First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians were written in Corinth after Timothy offered a good report concerning the welfare of the church. St. Paul may have revisited Thessalonica and mentions his intention to visit in his first letter to Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:5). This church suffered persecution (1 Thessalonians 2:14). Other important figures of the Thessalonians included Jason, Gaius, Secundus, Aristarchus and perhaps Demas (Acts 19:29; 20:4).

Thessalonica: Acts 17:1. 11. 13; 27:2; Philippians 4:16: 1 and 2 Thessalonians; 2 Timothy 4:10

Source: biblicaltourguide.com