Acts 17:1-10

Preaching in Thessalonica

Luke did not tell Theophilus why Paul passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia. He did explain that the next stop on this second missionary tour was Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. As was his habit, Paul went to the synagogue for three consecutive Sabbath days to reason with the Jews. The very idea of a crucified Messiah was a stumbling block to the Jews (1 Corinthians 1:23), but Paul argued from the prophets that such was precisely what God had foretold (Isaiah 53:1-12). He further established that God had planned and accomplished Jesus' resurrection from the dead and made Him King over His people (Acts 2:22-36; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The scriptural evidence was supported by the miracles worked by the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

During Paul's three weeks teaching in the synagogue, he and Silas worked with their own hands to support themselves (1 Thessalonians 2:9). 1 Peter 4:16 also tells us the apostle received support from the brethren in Philippi on at least two occasions. The combination of scriptural preaching, miracles and the apostle's obvious commitment to reach the lost had its desired effect as some Jews, Greeks who worshipped God and prominent women from the community obeyed the gospel (Acts 17:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:9).

These events, somewhat naturally, moved the unbelieving Jews to jealousy. They enlisted the aid of some "vile fellows of the rabble" and stirred up a mob to go to Jason's house and bring Paul and Silas out. When they could not find the two missionaries, the mob dragged Jason and some brethren before the rulers of the city. They accused Paul and Silas of being part of the number who turned the world upside down and teaching that Jesus was King. The rulers thought the matter serious enough to require security, perhaps like a property bond, of Jason and the others, warning them that it would be forfeited if any further disturbance occurred. Under these difficult conditions, Paul and Silas were sent away by night to Berea, some 60 miles away (Acts 17:5-10 a).