Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Neapolis, meaning "new city" in Greek, is a significant location mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible. It served as a key port city in the region of Macedonia, situated on the Aegean Sea. Today, the site of ancient Neapolis is identified with the modern city of Kavala in northern Greece.Biblical Significance Neapolis is notably referenced in the Book of Acts as the first European landing place of the Apostle Paul during his second missionary journey. This journey marked a pivotal moment in the spread of Christianity into Europe. The account is found in Acts 16:11, which states: "From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis" . This passage highlights Neapolis as the gateway through which Paul entered the European continent, bringing the Gospel message to new territories. Historical Context In the first century, Neapolis was a thriving port city, strategically located on the Via Egnatia, a major Roman road that facilitated trade and travel across the Roman Empire. This road connected the Adriatic Sea to Byzantium (modern-day Istanbul), making Neapolis an important hub for commerce and communication. The city's location and infrastructure would have provided Paul and his companions with the necessary resources and routes to continue their missionary work effectively. Cultural and Religious Influence The arrival of Paul in Neapolis and his subsequent journey to Philippi, a nearby city, marked the beginning of the Christian mission in Macedonia. Philippi, where Paul established one of the first Christian communities in Europe, was only a short distance from Neapolis. The proximity of these cities underscores the strategic importance of Neapolis as a starting point for the spread of Christianity in the region. The establishment of the church in Philippi, as recounted in Acts 16, was significant for the early Christian movement. It was in Philippi that Paul met Lydia, a seller of purple goods, who became the first recorded European convert to Christianity. The church in Philippi would later become a source of support and encouragement for Paul, as evidenced by his epistle to the Philippians. Archaeological Insights Archaeological findings in the area of ancient Neapolis have provided insights into the city's historical and cultural context during the time of Paul's visit. Remnants of the ancient port, city walls, and other structures have been uncovered, offering a glimpse into the life and environment of this important biblical location. Conclusion Neapolis stands as a testament to the early expansion of Christianity into Europe, serving as the initial point of entry for the Apostle Paul and his companions. Its mention in the Book of Acts highlights its role in the broader narrative of the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the early church. The city's historical and archaeological significance continues to be a subject of interest for scholars and believers alike, as it represents a key moment in the history of Christianity. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary NeapolisSmith's Bible Dictionary Neapolis(new city) is the place in northern Greece where Paul and his associates first landed in Europe. (Acts 16:11) where, no doubt, he landed also on his second visit to Macedonia, (Acts 20:1) and whence certainly he embarked on his last journey through that province to Troas and Jerusalem. (Acts 20:6) Philippi being an inland town, Neapolis was evidently the port, and is represented by the present Kavalla . (Kavalla is a city of 5000 or 6000 inhabitants, Greeks and Turks. Neapolis was situated within the bounds of Thrace, ten miles from Philippi, on a high rocky promontory jutting out into the AEgean Sea, while a temple of Diana crowned the hill-top. --ED.) ATS Bible Dictionary NeapolisNow called Napoli, Acts 16...11, a maritime city of Macedonia, near the borders of Thrace, whither Paul came from the isle of Samothracia. From Neapolis he went to Philippi. Easton's Bible Dictionary New city, a town in Thrace at which Paul first landed in Europe (Acts 16:11). It was the sea-port of the inland town of Philippi, which was distant about 10 miles. From this port Paul embarked on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:6). It is identified with the modern Turco-Grecian Kavalla. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia NEAPOLISne-ap'-o-lis (Neapolis; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek, Nea Polis): A town on the northern shore the Aegean, originally belonging to Thrace but later falling within the Roman province of Macedonia. It was the seaport of Philippi, and was the first point in Europe at which Paul and his companions landed; from Troas they had sailed direct to Samothrace, and on the next day reached Neapolis (Acts 16:11). Paul probably passed through the town again on his second visit to Macedonia (Acts 20:1), and he certainly must have embarked there on his last journey from Philippi to Troas, which occupied 5 days (Acts 20:6). The position of Neapolis is a matter of dispute. Some writers have maintained that it lay on the site known as Eski (i.e. "Old") Kavalla (Cousinery, Macedoine, II, 109;), and that upon its destruction in the 6th or 7th century A.D. the inhabitants migrated to the place, about 10 miles to the East, called Christopolis in medieval and Kavalla in modern times. But the general view, and that which is most consonant with the evidence, both literary and archaeological, places Neapolis at Kavalla, which lies on a rocky headland with a spacious harbor on its western side, in which the fleet of Brutus and Cassius was moored at the time of the battle of Philippi (42 B.C.; Appian Bell. Civ. iv.106). The town lay some 10 Roman miles from Philippi, with which it was connected by a road leading over the mountain ridge named Symbolum, which separates the plain of Philippi from the sea. Greek 3496. Nea Polis -- Neapolis, a city of Macedonia ... Neapolis, a city of Macedonia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Nea Polis Phonetic Spelling: (neh-ap'-ol-is) Short Definition: Neapolis Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3496.htm - 6k Library The Epistle of Ignatius to Mary at Neapolis, Near Zarbus Junius of Neapolis Said: "I do not Depart from the Judgment which ... Epistle Xci. To Fortunatus, Bishop of Neapolis (Naples). Epistle xxiv. To Fortunatus, Bishop of Neapolis (Naples). Epistle xxxvi. To Fortunatus, Bishop of Neapolis (Naples). Epistle xii. To Paschasius, Bishop of Neapolis (Naples). The Epistle of Ignatius to Mary at Neapolis, Near Zarbus Samaria. Sychem. The Epistle of Ignatius to St. John the Apostle Introduction Thesaurus Neapolis (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NEAPOLIS. ne-ap'-o-lis (Neapolis; Westcott and Hort, The New Testament in Greek, Nea Polis): A town ... /n/neapolis.htm - 9k Shechem (61 Occurrences) Ne-ap'olis (1 Occurrence) Taanath-shiloh (1 Occurrence) Taanathshiloh (1 Occurrence) Samothracia (1 Occurrence) Samothrace (1 Occurrence) Philippi (8 Occurrences) Macedonia (23 Occurrences) Voyage (5 Occurrences) Resources What is the Macedonian Call? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened on Paul's second missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Neapolis (1 Occurrence)Acts 16:11 Subtopics Related Terms |
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