Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 17:1

NOw when they had passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica , where was a synagogue of the Jews.

A City near to Philippi; so called, because the Sea came up to it on both sides.

A City near to Thessalonica.

This Thessalonica was one of the chiefest Cities of Macedonia; Unto the Church in this place St. Paul wrote two of his Epistles. This City was built by Philip, in memory of a Victory he obtained over the Thessali.

It seems that there was no Synagogue in either of the other places; but that the Iews of the other Cities resorted unto the Synagogue in this; all these three Cities being in Macedonia. The sending a way of Paul and Silas, chap. 16.39. to gratifie the mad multitude, was a means to bring the word of salvation to those places.