Footsteps of Paul: Second Missionary Journey

For Paul’s second missionary journey, his heart was set on revisiting the cities he and Barnabas had evangelized during their first trip, eager to strengthen the believers and see how they were faring. As Acts 15:36 recounts, “Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us return and visit the brethren in all the cities where we have preached the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.’”

However, a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas caused them to part ways. Paul set out with Silas, and together they traveled, continuing their mission to encourage and solidify the churches they had previously planted in modern-day Türkiye, as well as expand into modern-day Greece. As Acts 15:41 notes, “He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches and commanding them to keep the precepts of the apostles and presbyters.”

This journey not only marked a new chapter in Paul’s ministry, but it also expanded the reach of the early Church into Europe.

Modern-Day Türkiye

Derbe & Lystra

Paul’s first stops were Derbe and Lystra, the final two cities from his first journey, both located in modern-day Türkiye. Here, Paul and Silas recruited Timothy and found great success revisiting these early church plants.

 “And as they passed through the cities, they delivered to the brethren for their observance the decisions arrived at by the apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem. So the churches grew stronger and stronger in the faith and increased in numbers daily.” – Acts 16:4-5

As you’ll recall from our previous blog on Paul’s first missionary journey, only limited initial excavations have taken place in both Derbe and Lystra (modern-day Kerti Höyük and Zordula, respectively).

Troas

Paul then passed through Phrygia and the Galatian country, preaching as they travelled. However, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in Asia. Continuing to Troas, Paul had a vision.

“And Paul had a vision one night; a Macedonian was standing, appealing to him and saying, ‘Come over into Macedonia and help us’” – Acts 16:9. They immediately set out for Macedonia (modern-day Greece).

Troas is in northwestern Türkiye on the Aegean Sea. In Paul’s time, it was known as Alexandria Traos in the historical Troad Region. The Greek city of Troy (famously depicted in Homer’s Iliad and the Trojan War story) was in this area as well. Julius Caesar considered making Troas the eastern capital of the Roman Empire, but ultimately settled on Byzantium (later Constantinople/currently Istanbul). Today, you can visit ruins in the village of Dalyan (Ezine District of the Canakkale Province).

From Troas, Paul set sail for Europe for the first time.

Modern-Day Greece

Philippi

After passing through Samothrace and Neapolis, Paul arrived in Philippi. Originally called Crenides, it was renamed after Alexander the Great’s father, Philip II of Macedon who conquered the city in 356 B.C. 

On the bank of the river in Philippi, Paul discovered Lydia while preaching to a group of women. “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, was listening; and the Lord touched her heart to give heed to what was being said by Paul” – Acts 16:14. Lydia was then baptized. She is regarded as the first Christian convert in Europe.

Today, you can visit the Archaeological site of Philippi and see the ancient ruins of the walled city (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). While it’s already an impressive site, featuring ruins of Paul’s prison, the Hellenistic theatre, and various churches, they are still digging and uncovering new finds every day.

Nearby, you can also walk on the Via Egnatia (or, Egnatian Way), the ancient route linking Europe and Asia. This part is preserved but unrestored, meaning you can step on the same ground Paul did. Additionally, you can visit the supposed site of Lydia’s baptism and wash your hands in (or even drink from) the water source.

After some days, Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned. “and bringing them to the magistrates, they said, ‘These men are making a great disturbance in our city; they are Jews, and are advocating practices which it is against the law for us to adopt or observe, since we are Romans’” – Acts 16:20-21.

After praying however, Paul and Silas were freed by an earthquake collapsing the prison. After being asked to leave the city (but not before converting their jailer), they continued.

Thessalonica

Their next stop was Thessalonica, or modern-day Thessaloniki. The city is located on the northeast coast of Greece, on the Aegean Sea. It’s the second largest city in Greece, after Athens, and is home to many ancient monuments and archaeological sites. In fact, during the construction of the new Thessaloniki Metro last year, archaeologists uncovered one of the primary ancient highways through the city, several buildings, and more than 130,000 archaeological treasures from different periods of Thessaloniki’s history.

Here, Paul preached in the Jewish synagogues. While they gained some followers, they also faced much opposition. “But the Jews, moved with jealousy, took certain base loafers, and forming a mob, set the city in an uproar” – Acts 17:5.

Beroea

After leaving Thessaloniki, Paul traveled southwest and arrived in Beroea (known today as Veria). As he preached to the Jews, Paul noted: “Now these were of a nobler character than those of Thessalonica and they received the word with great eagerness, studying the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. Many of them became believers” – Acts 17:11-12. However, when the Thessalonians received word that Paul was in Beroea, they came and sent Paul away again toward Athens.

Veria is home to the most ancient synagogue in Northern Greece, where Paul likely preached, as well as a modern Altar/Bema and statue of Apostle Paul, signifying his impact there.

Athens

When Paul arrived in Athens, he faced a challenge: the city was riddled with idolatry. He preached on Mars Hill about this, addressing their false worship of unknown gods.

“God, who made the world and all that is in it, does not dwell in temples built by hands; neither is he served by human hands as though he were in need of anything, since it is he who gives to all men life and breath and all things” – Acts 17:24-45.

Known as the birthplace for democracy, among many other things, Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world and has impressively preserved significant ancient ruins.

Corinth

Paul’s final stop on his second journey was Corinth, where he stayed and preached for a year and a half after seeing the Lord in a vision.

“And one night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, ‘Do not fear, but speak and do not keep silence; because I am with thee, and no one shall attack thee or injure thee, for I have many people in this city’” – Acts 18:9.

The largest port in ancient Greece, the city of Corinth flourished because of its location on the isthmus between the Corinthian Gulf and the Aegean Sea, a popular trade route between Greece and the Peloponnese peninsula. It is now a large archaeological site open for visitors. Archaeologists have recently discovered it’s 500 years older than first thought. Lead spikes found in mud cores taken from the harbor prove it’s one of the oldest ports as well, dating the city to as early as 1381 BCE, during the Bronze Age.

After a stop in Ephesus and a promise to return, Paul went to Jerusalem and returned to Antioch through modern-day Syria.

Follow Paul’s Footsteps

Interested in following Paul’s route through Greece? View our sample itinerary for a group trip, with air and ground packages starting from $2995/person! Stand where Paul stood and preach where Paul preached during his first trip to Europe. You can also add on sites in Türkiye if your group has a few extra days to spend in Paul’s footsteps.

Want to learn about Paul’s first missionary journey? View our first blog here. We’ll be continuing our series, so stay tuned to follow Paul’s third missionary journey soon.