Thessalonica was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia and a prosperous port on the Via Egnatia, the road that linked Rome to the East. Coming from Philippi with Silas, during the second missionary journey, Paul arrived in the city and went, as usual, to the Jewish synagogue.
For three Sabbaths he reasoned from the Scriptures, showing that the Christ had to suffer and rise again. Jews, God fearing Greeks, and a number of leading women in the city believed and joined Paul and Silas.
The response to the gospel stirred envy among other Jews, who gathered a mob and dragged Jason, the missionaries’ host, before the city authorities. They accused the group of acting against the empire, proclaiming Jesus as another king.
Paul and Silas had to leave the city by night, heading for Berea. Even so, the newborn church stood firm in the faith, and according to Paul himself, the message of the Lord echoed from there throughout Macedonia and Achaia.
