Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 16:13

ἔξω τῆς πύλης with אABCD. Vulg. ‘foras portam.’

ἐνομίζομεν προσευχὴν εἶναι with אABC. Vulg. ‘videbatur oratio esse.’

13. τῇ τε ἡμέρᾳ τῶν σαββάτων, and on the sabbath. The form of the phrase is common in the LXX. Cf. Leviticus 24:8; Numbers 28:9; Jeremiah 17:21-22. But ἡ ἡμέρα τοῦ σαβάτου is also frequent.

ἔξω τῆς πύλης, outside the gate. The Jews probably found that their worship was less likely to attract hostile notice and less liable to interruption there than it would have been in the city.

οὖ ἐνομίζομεν προσευχὴν εἶναι, where we supposed there was a place of prayer. The meaning of προσευχή here and in Acts 16:16 is ‘a place of prayer.’ The Jews had such προσευχαί, sometimes in buildings, sometimes in the open air, as was the case in this instance. The word is found in this sense in Josephus, De vita sua, 54, συνάγονται πάντες εἰς τὴν προσευχὴν μέγιστον οἴκημα πολὺν ὄχλον ἐπιδέξασθαι δυνάμενον. They are described by Philo (ed. Mang.) II. 282. They were very numerous in Rome (see Mayor, Juvenal, III. 296). Because of Jewish ceremonial washings they were, when in the open air, as often as might be, near a river-side or on the sea-shore. Cf. Ezra 8:15; Ezra 8:21. And no doubt the language of Psalms 137:1, ‘By the rivers of Babylon we sat down,’ applies to a similar state of things.

καὶ καθίσαντες, and having sat down. Sitting was the usual attitude of Jewish teachers.

ταῖς συνελθούσαις γυναιξίν, unto the women which were come together. The Greek refers to those gathered together on this particular occasion only. Considering the little regard which the Jews had for women as persons to be conversed with and taught, it is noteworthy how large a part women play both in the Gospel History and in the Acts. It was one effect of Christianity to place woman in her true position.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 16:13

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