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Paul's Second Missionary Journey

Paul's second journey took the gospel into Europe for the first time. Beginning in Antioch, Paul traveled through Asia Minor, crossed into Macedonia, and established churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.

Stops on this journey

  1. Antioch - Departure After Council
  2. Derbe - Visiting Earlier Churches
  3. Lystra - Timothy Joins the Team
  4. Troas - The Macedonian Vision
  5. Philippi - First European Church / Paul in Prison
  6. Thessalonica - Three Weeks in the Synagogue
  7. Berea - The Noble Bereans
  8. Athens - Sermon on the Areopagus
  9. Corinth - Eighteen Months of Ministry
  10. Cenchreae - Paul's Vow
  11. Ephesus - Brief Visit / Promise to Return
  12. Caesarea Maritima - Greeting the Church
  13. Jerusalem - Visit to Jerusalem
  14. Antioch - Return Home
‹ Bible MapsPaul
Paul's Second Missionary Journey

c. AD 49-52 · Early Church

PaulNew Testament14 stops~3,630 km
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Every stop on the journey

Paul's second journey took the gospel into Europe for the first time. Beginning in Antioch, Paul traveled through Asia Minor, crossed into Macedonia, and established churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth.

1Antioch stained glass artwork
AntiochDeparture After Council

Following the Jerusalem Council, Paul proposed a return visit to all the churches. A sharp disagreement over John Mark caused Paul and Barnabas to part. Paul took Silas; Barnabas took Mark.

Acts 15:36-40
2Derbe stained glass artwork
DerbeVisiting Earlier Churches

Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches established on the first journey.

Acts 16:1
3Lystra stained glass artwork
LystraTimothy Joins the Team

At Lystra, Paul found Timothy, the son of a Jewish mother and Greek father, well spoken of by the brothers. Paul circumcised him and took him along as a fellow worker.

Acts 16:1-3
4Troas stained glass artwork
TroasThe Macedonian Vision

Prevented by the Spirit from going to Asia and then Bithynia, Paul came to Troas. Here a vision appeared: a Macedonian man said 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' They set sail for Europe.

Acts 16:8-10
5Philippi stained glass artwork
PhilippiFirst European Church / Paul in Prison

Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, was baptized and became the first European convert. Paul cast out a spirit from a slave girl. He was beaten and imprisoned, but sang at midnight. An earthquake opened the prison; the jailer believed.

Acts 16:12-40
6Thessalonica stained glass artwork
ThessalonicaThree Weeks in the Synagogue

Paul argued from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Some Jews and a great many devout Greeks believed. An uproar forced Jason, Paul's host, before the city authorities. Paul and Silas left by night.

Acts 17:1-9
7Berea stained glass artwork
BereaThe Noble Bereans

The Bereans were more noble than the Thessalonians, receiving the word eagerly and examining the Scriptures daily to see if Paul's claims were true. Many believed. Agitators from Thessalonica stirred up trouble; Paul was sent to the coast.

Acts 17:10-15
8Athens stained glass artwork
AthensSermon on the Areopagus

Paul was troubled by the city full of idols. He engaged philosophers at the Areopagus. 'To the unknown God.' He proclaimed the resurrection; some mocked, some believed. Dionysius the Areopagite was among the converts.

Acts 17:16-34
9Corinth stained glass artwork
CorinthEighteen Months of Ministry

Paul met Aquila and Priscilla, tentmakers like himself. He preached every Sabbath. The Lord told Paul in a vision to not be afraid. Paul stayed 18 months, the longest stay of any journey. The letters to the Corinthians were later addressed to this church.

Acts 18:1-18
10Cenchreae stained glass artwork
CenchreaePaul's Vow

Paul had his hair cut at Cenchreae, the eastern port of Corinth, because of a vow he had made before sailing for Syria.

Acts 18:18
11Ephesus stained glass artwork
EphesusBrief Visit / Promise to Return

Paul stopped briefly in Ephesus and argued in the synagogue. When asked to stay longer, he declined, saying 'I will come back if it is God's will.' He left Aquila and Priscilla there.

Acts 18:19-21
12Caesarea Maritima stained glass artwork
Caesarea MaritimaGreeting the Church

Paul went up and greeted the church - likely referring to Jerusalem - before going down to Antioch.

Acts 18:22
13Jerusalem stained glass artwork
JerusalemVisit to Jerusalem

A brief stop in Jerusalem to greet the church there.

Acts 18:22
14Antioch stained glass artwork
AntiochReturn Home

Paul returned to Antioch, his sending church, completing the second journey. After spending time there, he set out again on his third journey.

Acts 18:22-23