Paul and Silas travelled overland to the cities, in what is now southern Turkey, where Paul had previously preached the gospel and new churches had been planted in Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.  However, the last time Paul was there, religious activists opposed his teaching and their hostility overflowed into violence (Acts 13:49-50; Acts 14:5-6).  Nevertheless, he knew that the spiritually immature believers needed encouragement and further teaching.  That was why he returned, despite the threat of further violence (Acts 14:21-22).

Paul knew exactly where he had to go (Acts 16:9-10).  The Lord had told him!  The destination was Macedonia; and the nearest entry point from Troas was Neapolis.  It was only a short journey by sailing ship, but rocky islands made the journey hazardous at night.  So, the apostolic team sailed to the harbour in Samothrace before sundown, travelling on to Neapolis the next morning.

Paul, Silas and their team were in Philippi (Acts 16:11-12).  The riverside meeting place, where God-fearers gathered to hear the gospel (Acts 16:13), also attracted a demonised woman.  She may have been mentally disturbed or abandoned by her family, but she became a slave who made money for her owners: she was a social curiosity who claimed to predict the future.  Following Paul and his team, she slandered the gospel messengers by claiming that she could validate their authority.  The apostle was clear that her behaviour was triggered by a demon: as was proved by subsequent events.

Paul and Silas were full of praise, singing and praying.  Yet they were locked in the depths of a dark prison cell in Philippi.  They had been arrested and flogged for preaching the gospel and releasing a demonised slave girl from her oppression (Acts 16:16-21). The authorities assumed that, with their ankles trapped by stocks in the innermost part of the jail, they would be safely out of the way of a vengeful crowd (Acts 16:22-24).  The last thing the city leaders wanted was a riot: that would show their weak management and risk their careers, or possibly their lives.