Places in the Bible · Region

Macedonia

Macedonia is a region mentioned in 24 verses. Its most likely location is Macedonia. The name means “burning; adoration.”

panorama of a natural area in Macedonia
panorama of a natural area in Macedonia · Photo: Sakistriantafyllou (CC-BY-SA-3.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Where is Macedonia?

Approx. 41.6000, 22.5400 · OpenStreetMap · Google Maps

Possible modern locations

IdentificationTypeConfidence
MacedoniaregionHigh

Macedonia in the Bible dictionary

In New Testament times, was a Roman province lying north of Greece. It was governed by a propraetor with the title of proconsul. Paul was summoned by the vision of the “man of Macedonia” to preach the gospel there (Acts 16:9). Frequent allusion is made to this event (18:5; 19:21; Rom. 15:26; 2 Cor. 1:16; 11:9; Phil. 4:15). The history of Paul’s first journey through Macedonia is given in detail in Acts 16:10-17:15. At the close of this journey he returned from Corinth to Syria. He again passed through this country (20:1-6), although the details of the route are not given. After many years he probably visited it for a third time (Phil. 2:24; 1 Tim. 1:3). The first convert made by Paul in Europe was (Acts 16:13-15) Lydia (q.v.), a “seller of purple,” residing in Philippi, the chief city of the eastern division of Macedonia.

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain. Full dictionary entry →

Verses that mention Macedonia

  • Acts 16:9

    And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

  • Acts 16:10

    And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

  • Acts 16:12

    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.

  • Acts 18:5

    And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

  • Acts 19:21

    After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

  • Acts 19:22

    So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

  • Acts 19:29

    And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

  • Acts 20:1

    And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

  • Acts 20:3

    And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

  • 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.

All 24 references

Events at Macedonia