16:12a
From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi: The city of Philippi was about sixteen kilometers (ten miles) inland from the coast. It was about 190 meters (600 feet) above sea level. It was a journey of about four or five hours on foot. Other ways to translate this clause are:
From there/Neapolis, we walked to ⌊the city/town of⌋ Philippi
-or-
Then we went by land to Philippi (New Century Version)
16:12b
the Roman colony of Philippi: This phrase indicates that Philippi belonged to Rome and its citizens were citizens of Rome, even though the land was in Macedonia. The authorities governed the city according to Roman law. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
a city officially a part of Rome
-or-
a city legally ruled by Roman leaders
-or-
a city following the Roman ways
the leading city of that district of Macedonia: There is a textual issue regarding the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as leading:
(1) The Greek phrase reads “of first of the district of Macedonia city.” So “first” connects to the word city and means “important.” For example:
the principal city of that district of Macedonia (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, English Standard Version, New Century Version, King James Version)
(2) The Greek phrase reads “first of district of the Macedonia city.” So “first” connects to the word district and means “first.” For example:
a city of the first district of Macedonia (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version)
It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Handbook Greek NT chose it.
the leading city: This phrase in Greek is literally “a first/prominent city.” Philippi was not the capital city of Macedonia or of that district in Macedonia, but it was an important city. For example:
a leading city (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
a major city (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
a praiseworthy city
-or-
a city with a big name
that district of Macedonia: There were four districts in the province of Macedonia. Philippi was an important city in that particular district.
16:12c
we stayed there several days: This refers to the time before the Sabbath day mentioned in 16:13.
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