Acts and the Pauline journeys

David captured the Jebusite stronghold and made it his capital. Solomon built the first temple; Babylon destroyed it in 586 BC; Zerubbabel and Ezra/Nehemiah rebuilt; Herod expanded; Rome destroyed it again in AD 70. The center of redemptive history through every era — including the crucifixion, resurrection, and Pentecost.

Capital of the northern kingdom from Omri to its fall to Assyria in 722 BC. Lasted as a Hellenistic, then Roman city (renamed Sebaste by Herod). The region of Samaria became home to the Samaritans, whose well Jesus met the woman at. Philip preached the gospel here in Acts.

The ridge east of Jerusalem from which Jesus made his triumphal entry, where he taught the Olivet Discourse, where he prayed in Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion, and from which he ascended to heaven. Zechariah prophesies his return here.

One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Capital of the Arameans for much of Israel's history. Saul of Tarsus was traveling here to arrest Christians when he met the risen Christ on the road; he later escaped the city by being lowered through the wall in a basket.

The third largest city of the Roman Empire and the launchpad for Paul's three missionary journeys. Believers were first called "Christians" here. Paul publicly confronted Peter here over table fellowship with Gentiles.

A major Roman commercial city on the isthmus between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. Paul stayed eighteen months in his first visit, working as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla. The two extant Corinthian letters address a complicated, gifted, fractious church.

The leading city of the Roman province of Asia, home to the great temple of Artemis (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world). Paul stayed nearly three years here on his third journey, until the silversmith riot. The Ephesian letter and the first letter of Revelation are addressed to its church.

A Roman colony in Macedonia and the first European city evangelized by Paul. Lydia, a seller of purple, was his first convert. Paul and Silas were imprisoned and freed by an earthquake here; the jailer and his household became believers. The warmest of Paul's letters is addressed to this church.

Capital of the empire and goal of Paul's long ambition to preach the gospel. He reached the city as a prisoner under house arrest, eventually dying as a martyr under Nero. Romans was written before he had ever been there. Tradition holds Peter also died here, crucified upside down at his request.

The rocky Aegean island where John was exiled during the reign of Domitian and where he received the visions of Revelation. The Cave of the Apocalypse, traditionally identified as the site, has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries.