Amphipolis

At a Glance

A Macedonian city named in Acts 17:1.

Key Points

• A real city in the Roman province of Macedonia
• Mentioned in the travel account of Paul’s second missionary journey
• The New Testament records the place, but not a ministry event there

Description

Amphipolis was a city in Macedonia in the New Testament world, noted in Acts 17:1 as one of the places Paul and his companions passed through after leaving Philippi on the way to Thessalonica. Scripture does not record a ministry event there in detail, but its inclusion helps trace the historical route of Paul’s second missionary journey. The term refers to a geographic location rather than a theological concept, so any dictionary treatment should remain brief, factual, and tied to its role in the biblical narrative.

Biblical Context

Acts mentions Amphipolis as part of the route Paul and Silas took during the second missionary journey. The verse helps readers follow the geographic movement of the narrative, even though no sermon, conversion, or dispute is recorded there.

Historical Context

Amphipolis was a significant city in ancient Macedonia and an important point on regional routes connecting major urban centers. Its mention in Acts fits the historical and geographic realism of Luke’s travel account.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Amphipolis is not a major topic in Jewish background literature. Its significance in Scripture is primarily geographic and historical, not covenantal or rabbinic.

Primary Key Texts

• Acts 17:1

Secondary Key Texts

• Acts 16:11-12
• Acts 17:1-2

Original Language Note

From the Greek Ἀμφίπολις (Amphipolis), the name of a city in Macedonia.

Theological Significance

Amphipolis has no direct doctrinal teaching attached to it. Its value is narrative: it confirms the historical setting and travel route of Paul’s missionary work.

Philosophical Explanation

As a place name, Amphipolis illustrates how biblical revelation is grounded in real places and events rather than abstract ideas alone.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not read significance into the city beyond what the text states. Acts records that Paul passed through Amphipolis, but it does not describe a mission there or draw a theological conclusion from the stop.

Major Views

There are no major interpretive views specific to Amphipolis itself; discussion is usually limited to geography and Acts chronology.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Amphipolis is a geographic reference, not a doctrine, symbol, or spiritual office. It should not be treated as carrying special theological meaning beyond the biblical narrative.

Practical Significance

This entry helps Bible readers trace Paul’s missionary route and better understand the geography of Acts.

Related Entries

• Philippi
• Apollonia
• Thessalonica
• Macedonia
• Acts

See Also

• Paul's missionary journeys
• Acts 17
• Luke-Acts