Acts 16:12 From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

◄ Acts 16:12 ►

New International Version
From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

New Living Translation
From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

Berean Literal Bible
and from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were staying some days in this city.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were spending some days in this city.

NASB 1995
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days.

NASB 1977
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days.

Legacy Standard Bible
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days.

Amplified Bible
and from there [we came] to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. We stayed on in this city for several days;

Christian Standard Bible
and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony and a leading city of the district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for several days.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for a number of days.

American Standard Version
and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days.

Contemporary English Version
From there we went to Philippi, which is a Roman colony in the first district of Macedonia. We spent several days in Philippi.

English Revised Version
and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and from there we went to the city of Philippi. Philippi is a leading city in that part of Macedonia, and it is a Roman colony. We were in this city for a number of days.

Good News Translation
From there we went inland to Philippi, a city of the first district of Macedonia; it is also a Roman colony. We spent several days there.

International Standard Version
and from there to Philippi, an important city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We were in this city for several days.

Majority Standard Bible
From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

NET Bible
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. We stayed in this city for some days.

New Heart English Bible
and from there to Philippi, which is a principle city of that district of Macedonia, a colony. We were staying some days in this city.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
and thence to Philippi, which is a city in Macedonia, the first in its district, a Roman colony. And there we stayed some little time.

World English Bible
and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this city.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
there also to Philippi, which is a principal city of the part of Macedonia—a colony. And we were abiding in this city some days;

Berean Literal Bible
and from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were staying some days in this city.

Young's Literal Translation
thence also to Philippi, which is a principal city of the part of Macedonia -- a colony. And we were in this city abiding certain days,

Smith's Literal Translation
And thence to Philippi, which is the first city of Macedonia, a colony. And we were in that city passing certain days.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were in this city some days conferring together.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together.

New American Bible
and from there to Philippi, a leading city in that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent some time in that city.

New Revised Standard Version
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And from thence to Phi-lip’pi, which is the capital of Mac-e-do’ni-a, and is a colony: and we were in that city on some holidays.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And from there to Philippus, which is the capital of Macedonia, and it is a colony, but we were in this city for notable days.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
and thence to Philippi, which is the first city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony. We remained in that city some days:

Godbey New Testament
and thence into Philippi, which is the first city of the Macedonian region, a colony. And we were in that city spending some days.

Haweis New Testament
and from thence to Philippi, which is the first city in that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we abode in that city some days.

Mace New Testament
from thence we marched to Philippi, the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony, having stopp'd there some days,

Weymouth New Testament
and thence to Philippi, which is a city in Macedonia, the first in its district, a Roman colony. And there we stayed some little time.

Worrell New Testament
and thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of the district of Macedonia, a colony. And we were tarrying in this city certain days.

Worsley New Testament
and from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a Roman colony. And we staid some time in this city.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Lydia's Conversion in Philippi
11We sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace, and the following day on to Neapolis. 12From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Philippians 4:15
And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving.

2 Corinthians 2:13
I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 8:1
Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 11:9
And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.

1 Thessalonians 2:2
As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:10
And you are indeed showing this love to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to excel more and more

1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.

1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:27
I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

Isaiah 9:1
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:

Isaiah 42:6
“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 60:3
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Treasury of Scripture

And from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

Philippi.

Acts 20:6
And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

1 Thessalonians 2:2
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

the chief.

Acts 16:21
And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

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Abiding Chief City District First Foremost Important Little Macedonia Macedo'nia Part Philippi Philip'pi Principal Roman Several Staying Tarrying Thence Time

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Abiding Chief City District First Foremost Important Little Macedonia Macedo'nia Part Philippi Philip'pi Principal Roman Several Staying Tarrying Thence Time

Acts 16

1. Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,
7. and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,
14. convert Lydia,
16. and cast out a spirit of divination;
19. for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.
25. The prison doors are opened.
31. The jailor is converted,
35. and they are delivered.

Berean Study Bible

From there
This phrase indicates a continuation of a journey, suggesting movement and purpose. In the context of Acts, Paul and his companions are on a missionary journey, led by the Holy Spirit. The Greek word "ekeithen" implies a transition from one place to another, emphasizing the divine guidance in their travels. This movement reflects the Christian life as a journey, where believers are called to follow God's leading, often into unknown territories.

we traveled
The Greek word "erchomai" is used here, which means to come or go. This word signifies not just physical movement but also a spiritual journey. The apostles' travels were not merely geographical but were part of a divine mission to spread the Gospel. This reminds believers that their own journeys, whether physical or spiritual, are part of God's greater plan.

to Philippi
Philippi was a significant city in the ancient world, named after Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. It was a strategic location for the spread of the Gospel into Europe. The mention of Philippi highlights the importance of reaching influential centers with the message of Christ. For Christians, this underscores the call to engage with culture and society, bringing the light of the Gospel to places of influence.

a Roman colony
Philippi was a Roman colony, which meant it had special privileges, including Roman citizenship for its inhabitants. The Greek term "kolonia" indicates a settlement of Roman citizens in a foreign land, reflecting the spread of Roman culture and law. This status provided a unique opportunity for the Gospel to penetrate Roman society. For believers, it serves as a reminder of their dual citizenship—earthly and heavenly—and the call to live out their faith in diverse cultural contexts.

and the leading city of that district of Macedonia
This phrase emphasizes Philippi's prominence in the region. The Greek word "protos" means first or leading, indicating its importance. As a leading city, Philippi was a hub of commerce and culture, making it a strategic location for the early church's mission. This highlights the importance of strategic planning in ministry, recognizing the potential impact of reaching key areas for the Gospel.

And we stayed there several days
The Greek word "diatribo" means to spend time or remain. This indicates a period of intentional presence and ministry in Philippi. The apostles' decision to stay reflects the importance of building relationships and establishing a foundation for the church. For modern believers, it underscores the value of investing time in communities and relationships to effectively share the Gospel and disciple others.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12) The chief city of that part of Macedonia.--More accurately, a chief (or first) city of the border-country of Macedonia. The description is not without difficulty, and has been noted by adverse critics as an instance of St. Luke's inaccuracy. The city of Philippi, rebuilt by the father of Alexander the Great, and bearing his name in lieu of Krenides ( = the fountains), was situated on the Gangites, a tributary of the Strymon; but it was not the chief city of any one of the four sub-divisions of the Roman province of Macedonia, that rank being assigned to Amphipolis, Thessalonica, Pella, and Pelagonia. As there is no definite article in the Greek, it is possible that St. Luke simply meant to say it was a chief town of the district, the epithet Prote ( = first) being often found on the coins of cities which were not capitals. The more probable explanation, however, is that he uses the Greek word translated "part," in the sense of "border-land," as in the LXX. of Ezekiel 35:7, Ruth 3:7, and that it was the first city of that frontier district, either as the most important or as being the first to which they came in the route by which they travelled. This was precisely the position of Philippi, which, together with Pella and other towns, had been garrisoned by the Romans as outposts against the neighbouring tribes of Thrace. It had been established as a colony by Augustus after the defeat of Brutus and Cassius, and its full title, as seen on the coins of the city, was Colonia Augusta Julia Philippensis.

A colony.--The English reader needs to be reminded that a Roman colonia differed from the modern in being essentially a military position. Portions of the conquered territory were commonly assigned to veteran soldiers, and the settlement thus formed was considered politically as an integral part of Rome, all decrees of the emperor or senate being as binding there as in the capital itself. The colonies thus formed were as the "propugnacula imperii" (Cic. de leg. Agrar. c. 27), "populi Romani quasi effigies parvae simulacraque" (Aul. Gell. xvi. 13). Here, then, in the first European city to which St. Paul came, there was something like an earnest of his future victories. Himself a Roman citizen, he was brought into direct contact with Romans. (See Note on Acts 16:21.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - A city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony for the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony, A.V.: this for that, A.V.; tarrying for abiding, A.V. A city of Macedonia, etc. This is a difficult sentence. The natural way of construing the words undoubtedly is, as in the A.V., "which is the chief city of the [or, ' that'] district of Macedonia, and a colony." The only difficulty in the way of so taking it is that when AEmilius Paulus, as related by Livy (45:29), divided the conquered kingdom of Macedonia into four districts (regiones or partes), Amphi-pelts was made the capital of the district in which Philippi was situated. But the epithet πρώτη does not necessarily mean the capital; it is found on coins applied to cities which were not capitals. Besides, in the interval of above two hundred years between Aemilius Paulus and St. Paul (from s.c. 167 to A.D. ), it is very probable that the city of Philippi, with its gold-mines and its privileges as a colony, may have really become the capital. And so Lewin, following Wetstein, understands it (vol. it. p. 209). We know that in the reign of Theodosius the Younger, when Macedonia was divided into two provinces, Philippi became the ecclesiastical head of Macedonia Prima. It had been made a colony by Augustus Caesar, with the name "Col. Jul. Aug. Philip.," i.e. Colonia Augusta Julia Philippensis ('Dict. of Greek and Roman Geog.'). It must, therefore, anyhow have been a place of first-rate importance at this time. Those, however, who do not accept this explanation, couple κολωνία with πόλις, "which is the first colony-city," etc, Others take πρώτη in a local sense, "the first city you come to in Macedonia" (Conybeare and Howson, Alford, Bengel, etc.). The R.V. seems to take ἥτις ἐστὶ... Μακεδονίας πόλις together, and πρώτη τῆς μερίδος as a further description of it - a most awkward construction. Alford renders it, "which is the first Macedonian city of the district.' But the natural way of construing a passage is almost always the best, and nothing prevents us from believing that St. Luke, who knew Philippi intimately, was strictly accurate in calling it "the chief city of the district of Macedonia," i.e. the district in which it was situated. That μέρις is the technical name of the division of a province appears from the title μεριδάρχης, applied by Josephus to a certain Apollonius, governor, under Antiochus Epiphanes, of the district in which Samaria was included ('Ant. Jud.,' 12. 5:5). The ancient name of Philippi was Dates first, then Krenides - the springs, or wells; and the word used by Livy of the districts of Macedonia, pars prima, secunda, etc., is an exact translation of μέρις It received the name of Philippi, from Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, who extracted a great revenue from its gold-mines. Its great historical celebrity arises from the battle in the plain of Philippi, in which the republican party, under Brutus and Cassius, received its death-blow from Octavius and Antony. (For a full description of Philippi, and of the privileges of a colony, see Conybeare and Howson, vol. 1:311, etc., and Lewin, vol. 1. Acts 11.) This. Alford, following certain manuscripts, reads αὐτῇ, "in the city itself," as distinguished from the place outside the city, where the προσευχή was. But, perhaps, St. Luke uses the word "this" from Philippi being the place of his own residence, and where he may have drawn up the narrative on the spot.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

From there,
κἀκεῖθεν (kakeithen)
Conjunction
Strong's 2547: And thence, and from there; and then afterwards. From kai and ekeithen; likewise from that place.

[we went] to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

[the Roman] colony
κολωνία (kolōnia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2862: A colony, a city settlement of Roman (soldier) citizens; a garrison city. Of Latin origin; a Roman 'colony' for veterans.

of Philippi,
Φιλίππους (Philippous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5375: Philippi, a great city of the Roman province Macedonia. Plural of Philippos; Philippi, a place in Macedonia.

[the] leading
πρώτη (prōtē)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.

city
πόλις (polis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

of [that]
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

district
μερίδος (meridos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3310: Feminine of meros; a portion, i.e. Province, share or participation.

of Macedonia.
Μακεδονίας (Makedonias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3109: (Hebrew), Macedonia, a Roman province north of Achaia (Greece). From Makedon; Macedonia, a region of Greece.

And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

we stayed
διατρίβοντες (diatribontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1304: To tarry, continue, stay in a place. From dia and the base of tribos; to wear through, i.e. Remain.

[there]
πόλει (polei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

[several]
τινάς (tinas)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

days.
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

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NT Apostles: Acts 16:12 And from there to Philippi which (Acts of the Apostles Ac)