Acts 17:1-15
…they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. (v. 17b) I should have pointed out yesterday that Paul and Silas did not go to the synagogue in Philippi, but went down to the river where there was a “place of prayer”. Then upon coming to Thessalonica Paul and Silas went to the synagogue, as was Paul’s established custom. From all that we need to presume that there was no synagogue in Philippi and that, very likely, there was only a small Jewish community. And with all that, again backing up a bit, it was not the jealousy of the Jewish leaders that got Paul and Silas in trouble in Philippi – it was the owners of the slave girl who feared losing their “investment”. So we see Paul and Silas in trouble in both Philippi and in Thessalonica, in the former the fear of the loss of income and in the latter the jealousy of the Jewish leaders. Finally, in Philippi they had committed no crime, simply depriving some owners of some wealth, while in Thessalonica they may have been charged with treason against Rome. Hence their “leisure” in leaving Philippi and their haste in leaving Thessalonica. Very different scenarios!
The Thessalonian city authorities speaking (shouting!): “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also…” (v. 6b) Apparently Paul and Silas had earned quite a reputation, with non-religious city authorities acknowledging that Paul and Silas had turned the world upside down. What a strong statement by the city authorities; what a powerful witness by these two men! GLORY!!
See also: March 29 / Acts 17:1-9; March 30 / Acts 17:10-21