N. Tod. His dejection of mind was caused by the apparently insurmountable obstacles which presented themselves against his reaching the minds of the people of Athens. Sketches from the Life of Paul, 89, 90. 2. That is undoubtedly why Paul left the main road, traveling in a direction would-be pursuers would never guess. The calculated flying distance from Thessaloniki to Athens is equal to 189 miles which is equal to 304 km.. . His journey took him along the Via Egnatia, or Egnatian Way. The Jews of Thessalonica were so angered by Paul's gospel that they followed Paul to Berea and made trouble for him there (Acts 17:10-15). The main sources of water were the Haliacmon and Axios Rivers, which supported apple, peach and pear orchards. Note: Inspiration has given us this glance at the life of the Athenians, with all their knowledge, refinement, and art, yet sunken in vice, that it might be seen how God, through His servant, rebuked idolatry, and the sins of a proud, self-sufficient people. The Diadochi were important rival successors of Alexander the Great, his Macedonian friends and generals. Leaving Berea in haste, Paul traveled by sea to Athens (Acts 17:14-15), again just one step ahead of the envious and angry Jews of Thessalonica. The fifth century B.C. He was not traveling for the purpose of sight-seeing, nor to gratify a morbid desire for new and strange scenes. If you want to go by car, the driving distance between Thessaloniki and Athens is 501.69 km. Antipatris The city through which Roman soldiers brought the Apostle Paul, as prisoner, on their way to Caesarea (Acts 23:13). You need 2 hour to reach athens, Greece from berea , if you are travelling by car. The town is characterized for its major historical interest and natural beauty as it counts on many archaeological monuments and historical relics, idyllic coasts, and mountainous landscapes. What should we learn from the way some unbelieving Jews made trouble for the believers? The city Paul visits is clearly not the Athens of classical antiquity, but a city humbled by the centuries. View slideshow Download image set Story planner. They need expect no more favorable reception from a large majority of professed Christians than did Paul from his Jewish brethren. What challenge did Paul face before these highly philosophical Greeks? Copyright 2013 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. For that reason, an overland route was a crucial alternative. In ancient times, Tiryns was located between Nafplion and Argos of eastern Peloponnese. Thebes was the main city in the area of Greece called Boeotia. If you want to go by car, the driving distance between Berea and Athens is 324.65 km. This map shows the Black Sea. As a crossroads, it certainly was a key in the spread of the gospel. ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/maps-of-ancient-greece-4122979. His missionary group departed for Berea after the Jews threatened their safety ( Acts 17:1-10 ). It lies in 40 degrees 40 minutes North latitude, and 22 degrees 50 minutes East longitude, at the northernmost point of the Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of Salonica), a short distance to the East of the mouth of the Axius (Vardar). Before World War II, Salonika had the largest Jewish community in Greece.At the time of the German occupation, the Jewish population was about 50,000. Prominent Greek Women: Women of Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens (Acts 17) What about the stereotype that ancient women were mostly housebound? How can the Bereans be an inspiration to us today? All these attributes have resulted in the city being called the key of the whole of Macedonia (Concise Bible Atlas, p. 229, J. Carl Laney, Hendrickson Publishers, 2003). Thessalonica was a major port, and like Philippi, located on the east-west Egnatian highway, and thus an important centre of trade by land and by sea: be-re'-a (Beroia or Berroia):(1) A town of southwestern Macedonia, in the district of Emathia. Gill, N.S. Paul in Berea. This is the point at which the apostle began traveling along the Via Egnatia, or Egnatian Way (Acts 16:11-12). Thessalonica Paul preached here during his second missionary journey. Sailing in and around the Mediterranean became too dangerous in the fall (Acts 27:9-10). Thats why Luke uses a unique term, politarch (Strongs 4173), when he writes about the city authorities (Acts 17:6-8), or rulers of the city (KJV). As ancient Greek values and philosophies still permeate todays social and educational systems, what must we keep in mind? Coincidentally, perhaps, Rhea was associated with the Phrygian goddess Cybele, who also had a Mt. In his Epistle to the Thessalonians he expresses his feelings in these words: Left at Athens alone (I Thessalonians 3:1). The Black Sea is to the east of most of Greece. Known as "the navel of the world," the Greeks used the Oracle as a place of worship, consulting, and influence throughout the Greek world. User:Megistias/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. In August 480 B.C., they attacked the Greeks at the two-meter wide pass at Thermopylae that controlled the only road between Thessaly and Central Greece. Regardless, it was a place of worship for Greek Gods like Hera, Athena, and Hercules. If the people of our time would follow the example of the noble Bereans, in searching the Scriptures daily, and in comparing the messages brought to them with what is there recorded, there would be thousands loyal to Gods law where there is one today. Sketches from the Life of Paul, 88. Now Paul had shorn his head in Cenchrea because he had made a vow. Berea sat at the base of Mount Bermius, which is part of the Vermio Mountains and provides an ample supply of water for the city and the region. The account of Paul and Silas in this location is recorded in Acts 17:10-15. During this period, the Phoenicians were colonizing northern Africa, southern Spain, the Greeks, and southern Italy. Sintagmatos, Athina 105 63, Greece and Olympic Tennis Center Athens, Marousi 151 23, Greece, Athens, Kentrikos Tomeas Athinon, Greece and Eolou1,krinides, 640 03 Kavala, Greece, Solun, Thessaloniki, Greece and Perdika, Athens, Kentrikos Tomeas Athinon, Greece, Athens, Kentrikos Tomeas Athinon, Greece and Mesolongion, Aetolia Acarnania, Greece, ?? Jkov(QajbQML(#P2CYe]l+WM First published on Tue 28 Feb 2023 20.45 EST. Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens Bible Background Acts 17:1-32 Printed Text Acts 17:1-4, 10-12, 22-25, 28 Devotional Reading PSALM 47 Aim for Change By the end of the lesson, we will: LEARN that, although Paul and Silas's message was accepted by some but Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Cenchrea, Ephesus, Caesarea; Paul's 4 th visit to Jerusalem; AnMoch, Syria. Gaius, too, who is mentioned in conjunction with Aristarchus, may have been a Thessalonian (Acts 19:29). At Thessalonica all is changed. Answer. CC BY-SA 3.0. Marsyas after User:Sting/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0. A letter to the author, from Athens, dated April, 1884, states that it is a flourishing village, population about 8000. This Northern Greece map displays the districts, cities, and waterways amongst the Grecian peninsula of northern, central, and southern Greece. xWr6}W-NoqM:N`db+Q)ov IHv2nr{v$dB^?D+XjoLex?X/w$%VT1i_CiGRhmTRhAN $An$G/+d2$s(j!+@9jPV>2P-7b# Ang oah]7}=]XB%|#GQJ EEXcT cV`i+R;"dLyMmM6j$T\I1(fOmd,(V/D6GCtb=&~&AHz7l|Z' -R"7!XEp3!Ulv]/mnN0[1hc _f+a+/C3+[/2W The philosopher Thales and the poet Sappho were active during this time as well. 2 How are the noble Bereans to be an example for us today? Because of the persecution in Thessalonica, what did the brethren decide to do with Paul? Raymond Palmer/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. Javierfv1212 (talk)/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. Average amount of gas with an average car when travelling from berea to athens, Greece will be 7 gallons gallons which costs 10 $. Bible stories for children . The Delian Confederacy, the allies of Athens, are spread around the borders of the Aegean Sea. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there (Acts 18:18 - 19). Pliny, however, speaks of Therma as still existing side by side with Thessalonica (NH, iv.36), and it is possible that the latter was an altogether new foundation, which took from Therma a portion of its inhabitants and replaced it as the most important city on the Gulf.2. "The Atlas of Ancient and Classical Geography." Enable JavaScript to see Google Maps. Because of Thessalonica's importance during the early . Howatson, M. C. "The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature." An inscription on one side reads, "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus.". Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica And after journeying through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews (Acts 17:1). . This ancient Greek city was on the coast of Ionia, close to present-day Turkey. He had been at Philippi, and traveled thence by the Egnatian Road, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia on the way (Acts 17:1). Political Aspects of the Classical Age of Greece, 10 Fast Facts on Athena and Her Parthenon, The Peloponnesian War: Causes of the Conflict, Timeline of Battles and Treaties in Peloponnesian War, 7 Points to Know About Ancient Greek Government, Important Kings of the Ancient Middle East, M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota. When people hear the gospel, they can respond in different ways. Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. In Luke's day, Thessalonica is an important link between the rich Macedonian agricultural interior and land and sea trade routes. ), the Romans divided the conquered territory into four districts, it became the capital of the second of these (Livy xlv.29), while later, after the organization of the single Roman province of Macedonia in 146 B.C., it was the seat of the governor and thus practically the capital of the whole province. The text does not directly mention this geographic element. Even the Egyptian city of Alexandria was part of the Hellenistic Empire. Bible s. Paul Preaches In Thessalonica, Berea and Athens Acts 17 Introduction: 1. We help thousands of people every year to plan beautiful and trouble-free holidays. After the Peloponnesian War, Thebes became the most powerful city temporarily. His heart was drawn out in deep pity for the citizens of that grand metropolis, who, notwithstanding their intellectual greatness, were given to idolatry. Study Help: The Acts of the Apostles, 228242. Mt. After bringing Paul to Athens, those escorting him returned to Berea, taking with them a command from Paul for Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens as soon as possible. . Ephesus was created in the 10th century B.C. Thus, many in Berea believed the gospel message. is shown here. Persecution followed them from city to city. Sketches from the Life of Paul, 88. Aleppo is now a city of nearly 130,000 inhabitants. Assos, Mitylene, Miletus, Samos, TrogylliumCities briefly stopped in during the latter part of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:14 - 15). The city also sat midway along the Via Egnatia. History of Persia/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0. The city was occupied by German forces in early April. Iconium And after shaking the dust off their feet against them, they came to Iconium (Acts 13:51). Among these converts were in all probability Aristarchus and Secundus, natives of Thessalonica, whom we afterward find accompanying Paul to Asia at the close of his 3rd missionary journey (Acts 20:4). This reference map of ancient Greece includes the southernpart of the empire. Later History:For centuries the city remained one of the chief strongholds of Christianity, and it won for itself the title of "the Orthodox City," not only by the tenacity and vigor of its resistance to the successive attacks of various barbarous races, but also by being largely responsible for their conversion to Christianity.From the middle of the 3rd century A.D. it was entitled "metropolis and colony," and when Diocletian (284-305) divided Macedonia into two provinces, Thessalonica was chosen as the capital of the first of these. Berea Then the brethren immediately sent away by night to Berea both Paul and Silas (Acts 17:10). Thessalonica - Modern Salonika or Thessalonika. Nearly two hundred years before, this city had been completely destroyed; but, after a century of desolation, it had been rebuilt; and having since rapidly increased, it was now flourishing and populous. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. 2. Some were prepared to ridicule the apostle as one far beneath them, socially and intellectually. It was 30 miles from Philippi to Thessalonica. So, too, it seems, was Athens. Other literature is of little value when compared with this. It may be identical with BEEROTH (which see) in Benjamin, a Hivite town, 8 miles North of Jerusalem, or with the modern Birez-Zait, 1 1/2 miles Northwest of Jifneh.W. This is now the fifth city Paul has been run out of by an angry mob . The charge against Paul is that of trying to replace Caesar by another king; the rioters wish to bring him before "the people," i.e. Duration 14h 34m When Wednesday, Friday and Sunday Estimated price $550 - $1,600 . Thessalonica (also Thessalonike) was an ancient city of Macedon in northern Greece which today is the city of Thessaloniki. It was a city of importance under the Moslems in the Middle Ages, when the old name again asserted itself, and remains to the present time.The name "Aleppo" came to us through the Venetian traders in the days before the great overland route to India via Aleppo lost its importance through the discovery of the passage round the Cape. Contributed by Sweet Publishing. It was a small city with no particular political, military, or economic importance. He arrived alone, while Silas and Timothy remained in Macedonia. You need 2 hour to reach Berea, Greece from Athens,Greece , if you are travelling by car. Internet Archive Book Images/Wikimedia Commons/CCY BY CC0. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian. The favorable report brought back by Timothy was a great comfort to Paul, and at the same time intensified his longing to see his converts again (1 Thessalonians 3:10, 11). It was important, not only as a harbor with a large import and export trade, but also as the principal station on the great Via Egnatia, the highway from the Adriatic to the Hellespont.3. Paul disembarked at Neapolis, a port about 10 miles to the southeast of Philippi. Corinthian immigrants, led by Archias, founded Syracuse before the end of the eighth century B.C. Tarsus And when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus (Acts 9:30). This map shows Greece at the time of the war with Persia in 500-479 B.C. The major divisions were the sections taken by Ptolemy in Egypt, the Seleucids who acquired Asia, and the Antigonids who controlled Macedonia. The Department of History, United States Military Academy/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. The first permanent theater was erected at the start of the 5th century B.C., following an accidental collapse of the spectators' wooden benches. The governor exercises authority over a wide district extending from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean. And thats why the Concise Bible Atlas states that Bereas significance in Lukes narrative lies in its secluded nature (p. 230). Had his oration been a direct attack upon their gods, and the great men of the city who were before him, he would have been in danger of meeting the fate of Socrates. BERE'A, a city of Macedonia, 45 ms. w. of Thessalonica and 22 ms. w. of the gulf of Salonica, the same distance n. of Mt. N.S. <> I Corinthians 2:1214. . After the Persian Wars, it was rebuilt to become a precinct sacred to Athena. The name Pelargikon was also applied to the Nine Gates on the west end of the Acropolis wall. Pausanias. Then the brethren immediately sent away by night to Berea both Paul . In the next few months several of you are going to be presenting lessons that do not do this frequently. By time of Paul, Athens was still a center of learning, but with none of its former wealth or glory (Encyclopedia of the Bible). It reads, The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the . Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. Acts 17:1012. The Dacians occupied Dacia, a region north of the Danube later known as Romania. Annexing Greece, the Macedonians then went on to conquer most of the world they knew. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. . At Philippi he was close to the confines of Thracian barbarism, and on the spot where the last battle was fought in defense of the Republic. Note: The faithful apostle steadily pressed on through opposition, conflict, and persecution, to carry out the purpose of God as revealed to him in the vision at Jerusalem: I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles (Acts 22:21). Sketches from the Life of Paul, 88, 89. 84y$jT|H T0Z+,&:-DU The city of Berea (modern Veria) was founded in the Archaic Period in the southwestern part of Macedonia, some 73 km west of Thessalonica. 1. In 362, Athens took over again. Read terms of download. Acts 27:2 Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. An inscription on the other side reads, "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus.". Go back to see more maps of Thessaloniki Maps of Greece Greece maps Greek Islands Cities You need 2 hour to reach Berea, Greece from Athens,Greece , if you are travelling by car. Strong's Greek G960: Beroia His solitude in that great city where God was not worshiped was oppressive; and he longed for the sympathy and aid of his fellow-laborers. Silas? It must be given as food only that which will strengthen the religious experience. The Review and Herald, November 10, 1904. Average amount of gas with an average car when travelling from Athens,Greece to Berea, Greece will be 7 gallons gallons which costs 10 $. On average, I publish three to four new articles a month. During the Persian War, it supported Persia. Note: The unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica, filled with jealousy and hatred of the apostles, and not content with having driven them from their labors among the Thessalonians, followed them to Berea, and again stirred up the excitable passions of the lower class to do them violence. Lit., VIII, 528). Among them was a harbor astride the northernmost tip of the Thermaic Gulf. It lies in 40 degrees 40 minutes North latitude, and 22 degrees 50 minutes East longitude, at the northernmost point of the Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of Salonica), a short distance to the East of the mouth of the Axius (Vardar). It lies in 40 degrees 40 minutes North latitude, and 22 degrees 50 minutes East longitude, at the northernmost point of the Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of Salonica), a short . Mosaic showing Paul preaching at Berea (Acts 17:11) It allied itself (including the Sacred Band) with Athens to fight the Macedonians at Chaeronea, which the Greeks lost, in 338. Antioch (Syria)Place where believers in Jesus are first called Christians (Acts 11:26). It's in the east, by the Hellespont. This map shows Troy and the surrounding area. Paul wanted to check on the state of the Thessalonians . So why did Paul travel 40 miles from Thessalonica to Berea? That which is to the earthly mind a desolate wilderness, to the spiritual mind becomes a land of living streams. The Signs of the Times, October 10, 1906. Hellas was centered on the western side of the Aegean Sea, with a northern section that was part of the Balkan peninsula and a southern section known as the Peloponnese. Jerusalem And when Saul came to Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the disciples; but all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple (Acts 9:26). Paul, the great missionary strategist, must have seen that from no other center could Macedonia be permeated with the gospel so effectively as from Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:8).But his success roused the jealousy of the Jews, who raised a commotion among the dregs of the city populace (Acts 17:5). Because of this, the synagogue at Thessalonica sent people to Berea, forcing Paul to travel to Athens by himself. Paul's Visit:Paul visited the town, together with Silas and Timothy, on his 2nd missionary journey. The account of Paul and Silas in this location is recorded in Acts 17:10-15. km. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Acts 16:4-5 Paul and his followers, Silas and Timothy, witnessed to people in different towns. Well ignore the cities Paul merely passed through, focusing on the three where he spent time preaching the gospel. Remains of Via Egnatia near Radozda (a village on the shore of Lake Ohrid). 09 of 30 Eastern Aegean User:Megistias/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.5 Choose volunteers to read Acts 17:1-3 . His mind was deeply impressed with the importance of the work before him in Athens. I want that for every Christian! And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.10. This southern part of Greece is separated from the northern landmass by the Isthmus of Corinth. About the only question is whether Paul traveled from Berea to Athens by ship or by road. Berea was located about 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Thessalonica. Thessaloniki area map Description: This map shows cities, towns, main roads, secondary roads, resorts, spa resorts, airports, yacht supply stations, campings, beaches, points of interest, tourist attractions and sightseeings in Thessaloniki area. The war between the allies of Sparta and the allies of Athens began what was known as the Peloponnesian War. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Sidon And the next day we landed at Sidon (Acts 27:3). After that time it remained in the possession of the Turks, and it was, indeed, the chief European city of their dominions, with the exception of Constantinople, until it was recaptured by the Greeks in the Balkan war of 1912. Strabo, writing in the reign of Augustus, speaks of it as the most populous town in Macedonia and the metropolis of the province (vii.323, 330), and about the same time the poet Antipater, himself a native of Thessalonica, refers to the city as "mother of all Macedon" (Jacobs, Anthol. Tickets cost 39 - 42 and the journey takes 5h 45m. So, too, it seems, was Athens. The Thracians of the same group inhabited Thrace, a historical area in southeast Europe now consisting of Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey. Alternatively, KTEL Thessalonikis operates a bus from Athens to Thessaloniki Monastiriou every 3 hours. It is also basically to the north of Greece. Between 1600 and 1100 B.C, Mycenaean civilization contributed innovations to engineering, architecture, the military, and more. In my last post I wrapped up the word studies for the chapter. We also looked at babbler, the term of derision the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers used to describe Paul. Cleave to the word, It is written. Cast out of the mind the dangerous, obtrusive theories which, if entertained, will hold the mind in bondage, so that man shall not become a new creature in Christ. They split up the empire Alexander had conquered among themselves. Some of the Jews became converts and a considerable number of proselytes and Greeks, together with many women of high social standing (Acts 17:4). The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. The most significant city mentioned in Acts 17 is Thessalonica, which may surprise you. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.11. 1 Corinthians 3:1820; 8:1; Jeremiah 9:23, 24. How did Paul feel, waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens? He found at Thessalonica a synagogue of the Jews, in which for three successive Sabbaths he preached the gospel, basing his message upon the types and prophecies of the Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 17:2, 3). The Berean Jews showed a greater readiness to examine the new teaching than those of Thessalonica, and the work of the apostle was more fruitful there, both among Jews and among Greeks (Acts 17:10-13). Position and Name:One of the chief towns of Macedonia from Hellenistic times down to the present day. Thessalonica also served as the provincial capital, and as the home of the Roman proconsul. The map shows, to the southeast, the most famous Greek theater, the Theatre of Dionysus, the site of which was in use until late Roman times from the 6th century B.C., when it was used as an orchestra. Berea was a place of momentary refuge, an accidental stop along Paul's missionary journey. Paul and Silas fled from Thessalonica to Berea. The mind must be constantly restrained and guarded. From Athens Paul directed his steps to Corinth, where he appears to have arrived in the autumn of A.D.52. The Xenophon of Athens was a Greek philosopher, historian, and soldier who authored many practical treatises on topics like horsemanship and taxation. At the tip of Greece on this map, near the southeastern shore of the Black Sea, you can see Byzantium, or Constantinople, after Emperor Constantine set up his city there. In addition, the Romans had granted it status as a free city, or one that could govern itself. Athens, Corinth Now after these things, Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth (Acts 18:1). It was an important communication and trade center, located at the junction of the great Egnatian Way and the road leading north . This extremely important Roman highway connected so many of the cities Paul visited. From its beginning in the kingdom of Macedon in 315, Thessalonica quickly became one of the most important sea ports of the kingdom due to its strategic location as a hub connecting several major trade routes, the most important one in Roman times being the Via Egnatia which ran east and west through Macedonia, connecting Europe with Asia. Ancient Greeks and Phoenicians colonized many places in Europe along the coasts of the Mediterranean and theBlack Sea. Hearing that many of the Jews of Berea were deeply impressed by the truth, what action did the unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica take? Note: The city of Athens was the metropolis of heathendom. He was in a position where he might easily have spoken that which would irritate his proud listeners, and bring himself into difficulty. Upon leaving Thessalonica under duress, Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled to Athens by way of Berea. Paul traveled alone to Corinth where Timothy rejoined him and Paul writes this letter. It was the most powerful of the Greek cities in Sicily.