Acts 16:12 kjv
And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
Acts 16:12 nkjv
and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.
Acts 16:12 niv
From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
Acts 16:12 esv
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
Acts 16:12 nlt
From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.
Acts 16 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 16:9-10 | And a vision appeared to Paul... "Come over to Macedonia and help us." ...we immediately sought to go... | Divine call to Europe for mission |
| Acts 1:8 | "You will receive power...and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem... to the end of the earth." | Commission to global evangelization |
| Matt 28:19-20 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." | The Great Commission's global scope |
| Acts 13:2-4 | "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." ...they were sent out by the Holy Spirit. | Divine sending of missionaries |
| Acts 17:1-9 | At Thessalonica... Jews were jealous... "These men...are acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." | Conflict arising from proclaiming Christ's kingship in Roman cities |
| Phil 1:3-5 | "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, because of your partnership in the gospel..." | The Philippians' enduring support and partnership |
| Phil 3:20 | But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, | Contrast: heavenly vs. earthly (Roman) citizenship |
| Eph 2:19 | So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, | Believers' spiritual citizenship |
| Acts 22:25-29 | Paul said, "Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" | Paul's strategic use of Roman citizenship |
| Acts 23:27 | This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed... but I came with the guard and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. | Roman protection for Paul as a citizen |
| Acts 25:10-12 | "I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal... I appeal to Caesar." | Paul appealing to the highest Roman authority |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. | Universality of the Gospel |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Unity in Christ beyond societal distinctions |
| Luke 2:1-2 | In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus... This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. | Luke's precise references to Roman governance |
| Gen 12:3 | "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." | Covenant promise of universal blessing through Abraham |
| Isa 49:6 | "I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | God's salvation extended to Gentiles |
| Ps 2:8 | Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. | God's global dominion |
| Prov 16:9 | The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. | God's sovereign direction over human plans |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | God's word guiding the missionary journey |
| John 4:4 | And he had to pass through Samaria. | Divine necessity in journey planning (parallel to Paul's diverted journey) |
Acts 16 verses
Acts 16 12 Meaning
Acts 16:12 signifies the entry point of the Gospel into Europe, marking a pivotal moment in the expansion of early Christianity. It identifies Philippi as the destination following Paul’s vision of the Macedonian man, describing it precisely as "the foremost city of Macedonia and a Roman colony." This verse establishes Philippi’s unique historical, political, and cultural significance, foreshadowing both opportunities for the Gospel's spread and potential conflicts with the established Roman order. It highlights Luke’s meticulous attention to detail regarding geographical and civic status.
Acts 16 12 Context
Acts 16:12 takes place during Paul's Second Missionary Journey. Having been providentially blocked from entering Asia and Bithynia by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-7), Paul receives a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help (Acts 16:9). Interpreting this as God's call to preach the Gospel in Europe, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke (implied by the "we" passage beginning in Acts 16:10) set sail from Troas. Their journey takes them via Samothrace and Neapolis before they reach Philippi. This verse marks the very first step in establishing Christianity on the European continent, following the divine redirection of their mission.Historically, Philippi was an important city located in eastern Macedonia, founded by Philip II of Macedon in the 4th century BC. Its prominence grew due to nearby gold mines and its strategic location on the Via Egnatia, a major Roman road. Most critically, Philippi was established as a Roman colony (colonia) by Emperor Augustus after the decisive Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, where Mark Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius. This status conferred significant privileges upon its citizens, including Roman citizenship (ius Italicum), self-governance under Roman law, exemption from certain taxes, and settlement by Roman military veterans. This made Philippi a distinct Roman outpost in a foreign land, fostering a strong sense of Roman identity among its inhabitants, which would have implications for the reception of the Gospel message.
Acts 16 12 Word analysis
- and from there (κακεῖθεν - kakeithen): This compound word, formed from "καὶ" (and) and "ἐκεῖθεν" (from there), indicates a direct and immediate progression in their journey from Neapolis, the port city where they disembarked. It emphasizes the direct flow of Paul's mission according to the divine directive.
- to Philippi (εἰς Φιλίππους - eis Philippous): "Philippi" (plural accusative), named after Philip II of Macedon, emphasizes their arrival in this historically significant city. This is the precise geographical destination, marking the entry into Europe.
- which (ἥτις - hētis): A relative pronoun "which," referring to Philippi, introducing descriptive clauses that further define the city. It signifies Luke's intent to provide precise information about this specific location.
- is (ἐστὶν - estin): The present tense "is" conveys a factual statement about Philippi's current status at the time of the events recorded.
- foremost (πρώτη - protē): This word, meaning "first," "chief," or "foremost," is crucial. While Thessalonica was the provincial capital, Luke's description of Philippi as "πρώτη τῆς μερίδος Μακεδονίας πόλις" means "first city of that part of Macedonia." This signifies its leading status either:
- Geographically: As the first significant city encountered inland from Neapolis.
- Contextually/Civically: As preeminent in its district (μερίς - meris), likely referring to the eastern region of Macedonia, due to its status as a Roman colony, its strategic position on the Via Egnatia, and its overall influence. It indicates Luke's accurate reporting of its distinctive significance.
- city (πόλις - polis): A standard term for a city.
- of Macedonia (τῆς Μακεδονίας - tēs Makedonias): Identifies the Roman province in which Philippi was situated. Macedonia was a major region of the Roman Empire, formerly an ancient kingdom.
- a Roman colony (κολωνία - kolōnia): This is a critical detail. A colonia romana was a settlement of Roman citizens (often veteran soldiers) established outside Italy. It meant Philippi enjoyed significant privileges, including ius Italicum (making its land equivalent to Italian soil, largely tax-exempt), local self-governance under Roman law, and its inhabitants were full Roman citizens. This status indicates a strong Roman cultural and legal presence, fostering Roman customs and often featuring Latin as the primary language in public life. This fact directly informs the challenges and dynamics Paul encounters there, such as the conflict with authorities over Roman customs in Acts 16:20-21.
Words-group analysis:
- "foremost city of Macedonia": This phrase highlights Philippi's importance, not necessarily as the capital of the entire Roman province of Macedonia, but as the principal city of its district or the first major urban center reached on Paul's specific itinerary from the port. It attests to Luke's accurate geographical and political knowledge.
- "and a Roman colony": This specifies the legal and administrative status of Philippi, distinguishing it from other cities in the region. Being a Roman colony meant it was governed by Roman law, often settled by retired Roman soldiers, and enjoyed special privileges akin to towns in Italy. This status significantly influenced the demographics (strong Roman presence, likely fewer Jews as there's no mention of a synagogue at first), the social structure, and ultimately the events of Paul's ministry there, as tensions between local Roman loyalties and the proclamation of Christ's kingdom would arise.
Acts 16 12 Bonus section
The establishment of Philippi as a Roman colony directly linked its citizens' loyalty and identity to Rome. This "miniature Rome" would inevitably lead to friction with the Gospel's declaration of a different Lord and Kingdom, King Jesus (Acts 17:7), directly challenging the Roman ethos of Pax Romana (Roman peace achieved through imperial authority) and the required reverence for Caesar. The narrative implicitly sets the stage for future persecutions of believers who pledge allegiance to Christ over Caesar, as Philippians were likely fiercely proud of their Roman status. This is especially evident later in the chapter when Paul and Silas are accused of advocating customs unlawful for Romans (Acts 16:21), a direct consequence of the city’s colonial status and its emphasis on Roman law.
Acts 16 12 Commentary
Acts 16:12 serves as Luke’s historically precise introduction to Philippi, the first European city to embrace the Christian message. The meticulous detail about Philippi being "the foremost city of Macedonia and a Roman colony" is not merely incidental but loaded with significance. Its status as a Roman colony indicates a deep entrenchment of Roman culture, law, and administration. Unlike many other cities Paul visited, a strong Jewish synagogue, which often served as Paul’s initial point of evangelism, appears to have been absent (implied by the 'place of prayer by the river' in Acts 16:13, rather than a synagogue). This meant Paul's ministry would directly confront a more intensely pagan and Romanized environment. This precise detail also foreshadows the eventual conflict in the city where Paul and Silas are arrested and flogged for disrupting Roman customs, showcasing the clash between the values of the Kingdom of God and those of the Roman Empire. Luke's historical accuracy validates his narrative, underscoring the authenticity of Paul's mission into new, challenging territories.