Tool Beta
The Ancient World Behind the Text: Ideas
The customs, offices and ideas a first reader knew without being told, what each meant then, and the nearest thing you already know.
The synagogue
The local gathering place where Jews met on the Sabbath to pray and study Scripture. It was also a community center, run by people of standing.
First, in plain English
Everyone in town was at the meeting hall on Saturday, so that is where the news broke. The synagogue was not the temple. There was one temple, in Jerusalem, but a town could have its own synagogue: a place to pray, hear Scripture read and explained, and run the business of the community.
What it meant then
On the Sabbath, Jews met in synagogues for prayer and the study of Scripture. The Greek title for a synagogue leader covered different roles in different places, sometimes even donors. But it nearly always meant a person of status and usually wealth. Synagogues doubled as community centers, and discipline could be carried out there. Keener describes, from somewhat later and idealized tradition, a flogging of 39 lashes, kept under the biblical limit of 40 (Deuteronomy 25:2-3). A synagogue court ordered it after a warning, and the attendant carried it out. An offender could escape it only by renouncing his Jewish community. Seating showed rank. The best seats were on the raised platform, and in some synagogues many people sat on the floor. Synagogues were led by priests or prominent laymen. As community courts, they could impose several levels of exclusion. The gravest left the offender treated as a pagan. Even outside the land Rome let Jewish communities discipline their own members. Services included readings from the Law and the Prophets. After them the rulers of the synagogue could invite a visiting teacher to speak, and popular visiting teachers normally were invited. Jerusalem had synagogues for Jews from abroad, among them one built by freedmen. A regular synagogue needed ten Jewish men. Where a town lacked them, Jews might meet at a place of prayer near water, since washing the hands before prayer was standard in the Diaspora.
The bridge to today
An analogy: a town hall that is also the chapel and the courtroom. The same room hosts Saturday prayers, the reading of Scripture, the leading families in the front seats, and the hearing where someone is punished.
What it changes in the reading
The synagogue was where a town gathered, so teaching, healing or conflict there happened in front of everyone, as in Mark 1:21-28. It was also a place of local discipline, which is why followers are warned of floggings in synagogues in Matthew 10:17. Paul starts in the synagogue in town after town, as in Acts 17:1-2.
Where the analogy breaks
Not a hall for everyone in town. The synagogue served the Jewish community, often a minority in a Gentile city. Its discipline reached only members, and an offender could escape it by leaving that community. Nor was it a church with a pastor; its leader was a person of local standing, sometimes a donor.
Passages where it appears
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-6-1-18\/","n":"Matthew 6:1-18, Alms, prayer and fasting in secret","s":"Jesus warns against doing acts of piety to be seen, and teaches his disciples the Lord's Prayer.","r":"Matthew 6:1-18"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-9-18-34\/","n":"Matthew 9:18-34, A ruler's daughter, a bleeding woman, the blind and the mute","s":"A synagogue ruler asks Jesus to raise his daughter; on the way a woman touches the fringe of his cloak. Then two blind men call him Son of David, and a mute man speaks.","r":"Matthew 9:18-34"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-10-16-42\/","n":"Matthew 10:16-42, Wolves, floggings, a sword and a cup of water","s":"Jesus warns the Twelve of councils, floggings in synagogues and trials before governors and kings, of family turned against family, and promises that whoever receives them receives him.","r":"Matthew 10:16-42"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-12-1-14\/","n":"Matthew 12:1-14, Grain on the Sabbath, a withered hand","s":"Pharisees object when the disciples pick grain on the Sabbath. Jesus answers with David, the priests in the temple and mercy, then heals a withered hand in the synagogue.","r":"Matthew 12:1-14"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-13-53-58\/","n":"Matthew 13:53-58, No honor in Nazareth","s":"Teaching in his hometown synagogue, Jesus is dismissed as the carpenter's son whose family everyone knows, and he says a prophet is not without honor except at home.","r":"Matthew 13:53-58"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-18-15-20\/","n":"Matthew 18:15-20, Two or three witnesses and the assembly","s":"Jesus sets out how to deal with a brother who sins: privately, then with witnesses, then before the church. What they bind on earth is bound in heaven, and he is present where two or three gather in his name.","r":"Matthew 18:15-20"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-23-1-12\/","n":"Matthew 23:1-12, Moses' seat, wide phylacteries, the best seats","s":"Jesus tells the crowds to do what the scribes and Pharisees teach but not what they do, and mocks their wide phylacteries, long tassels, best seats and love of the title rabbi.","r":"Matthew 23:1-12"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/mark-1-21-45\/","n":"Mark 1:21-45, A Sabbath in Capernaum and a leper","s":"Jesus teaches in the synagogue, drives out a spirit, heals Simon's mother-in-law and, after sunset, the whole town. Then he touches and cleanses a leper.","r":"Mark 1:21-45"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/mark-5-21-43\/","n":"Mark 5:21-43, A synagogue leader's daughter and a bleeding woman","s":"On the way to heal Jairus' dying daughter, Jesus is touched by a woman who has bled for twelve years. Then he raises the girl.","r":"Mark 5:21-43"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/mark-13-1-37\/","n":"Mark 13:1-37, The temple's fall and the Son of Man","s":"Leaving the temple, Jesus says not one stone will be left on another. On the Mount of Olives he warns of what is coming and of the Son of Man on the clouds.","r":"Mark 13:1-37"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-4-16-30\/","n":"Luke 4:16-30, The year of the Lord's favor in Nazareth","s":"In the Nazareth synagogue Jesus reads Isaiah's promise of good news for the poor and release for captives and says it is fulfilled today. When he points to Elijah and Elisha helping foreigners, the town tries to throw him off a cliff.","r":"Luke 4:16-30"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-7-1-10\/","n":"Luke 7:1-10, A centurion who built the synagogue","s":"Jewish elders in Capernaum plead for a centurion whose valued slave is dying, because he loves their nation and built their synagogue. The centurion sends word that Jesus need not come under his roof, only give the order.","r":"Luke 7:1-10"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-13-10-21\/","n":"Luke 13:10-21, A bent woman freed on the Sabbath; mustard and leaven","s":"Teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus frees a woman bent double for eighteen years. The synagogue ruler objects, and Jesus answers with an ox untied for water, then compares God's kingdom to a mustard seed and to leaven.","r":"Luke 13:10-21"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-21-5-38\/","n":"Luke 21:5-38, The temple's stones and Jerusalem surrounded","s":"When people admire the temple's stones, Jesus says not one will be left on another. He warns of false claimants, arrests in synagogues, Jerusalem surrounded by armies, and signs in the sky before the Son of Man comes.","r":"Luke 21:5-38"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-6-22-71\/","n":"John 6:22-71, The bread from heaven","s":"In the synagogue at Capernaum the crowd asks for a sign like the manna. Jesus answers that he is the bread of life come down from heaven, and his hard words about eating his flesh drive many disciples away.","r":"John 6:22-71"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-6-8-7-53\/","n":"Acts 6:8-7:53, Stephen's charge and speech","s":"Men from the Diaspora synagogues accuse Stephen of speaking against the temple and the law. He answers with Israel's story, from Abraham to the temple, and turns the charge back on his judges.","r":"Acts 6:8-7:53"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-9-1-31\/","n":"Acts 9:1-31, Saul on the Damascus road","s":"Carrying the high priest's letters to the synagogues of Damascus, Saul is stopped by a light and a voice. Blinded, healed and baptized, the persecutor begins to proclaim Jesus and has to escape over the city wall.","r":"Acts 9:1-31"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-13-13-52\/","n":"Acts 13:13-52, The synagogue at Pisidian Antioch","s":"Invited to speak after the synagogue readings in a Roman colony, Paul tells Israel's story from the exodus to Jesus. Gentiles welcome the message, and the city's leading men and women drive the apostles out.","r":"Acts 13:13-52"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-15-1-21\/","n":"Acts 15:1-21, The council in Jerusalem","s":"Teachers from Judea insist that Gentile believers must be circumcised to be saved. The apostles and elders meet in Jerusalem; Peter and James argue that God has accepted Gentiles as they are, and James proposes a few rules for them to keep.","r":"Acts 15:1-21"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-17-1-9\/","n":"Acts 17:1-9, Another king in Thessalonica","s":"Paul argues from the Scriptures in the synagogue at Thessalonica that the Messiah had to suffer and rise. Some believe; opponents raise a mob, drag Jason before the city officials and accuse the believers of defying Caesar by proclaiming another king.","r":"Acts 17:1-9"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-18-1-11\/","n":"Acts 18:1-11, Tentmakers in Corinth","s":"In Corinth Paul lodges and works with Aquila and Priscilla, Jews lately expelled from Rome who share his trade. When the synagogue turns against him he moves next door to the house of Titius Justus, and the synagogue leader Crispus believes with his household.","r":"Acts 18:1-11"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-28-17-31\/","n":"Acts 28:17-31, Two years in rented quarters","s":"Paul calls the Jewish leaders of Rome, explains why he is in chains, and spends a day arguing from Moses and the Prophets. Some are persuaded and some are not; for two whole years he lives at his own expense, welcoming everyone and preaching the kingdom without hindrance.","r":"Acts 28:17-31"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-5-1-13\/","n":"1 Corinthians 5:1-13, A man and his father's wife","s":"A church member is living with his stepmother and the church is proud of itself. Paul tells them to hand the man over to Satan, clear out the old leaven as a household does before Passover, and not eat with a so-called brother who lives that way.","r":"1 Corinthians 5:1-13"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-6-1-11\/","n":"1 Corinthians 6:1-11, Lawsuits before unbelievers","s":"Paul is appalled that believers take one another to court before pagan judges, reminds them that God's people will judge the world and even angels, and asks why they would not rather be wronged.","r":"1 Corinthians 6:1-11"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-14-26-40\/","n":"1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Order when the church meets","s":"Paul regulates a meeting where everyone brings a hymn, a teaching, a revelation or a tongue: speakers take turns, prophets weigh one another's words, women are to be silent and ask at home, and everything is to be done decently and in order.","r":"1 Corinthians 14:26-40"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-2-5-13\/","n":"2 Corinthians 2:5-13, Forgive the offender; no rest at Troas","s":"The man who caused the grief has been punished enough by the majority, so Paul urges the church to forgive him lest Satan outwit them, then tells how he left an open door at Troas because Titus had not come.","r":"2 Corinthians 2:5-13"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-3-1-18\/","n":"2 Corinthians 3:1-18, Letters of recommendation and Moses' veil","s":"Paul needs no letters of recommendation, since the Corinthians are his letter, written by the Spirit on hearts; he sets the fading glory on Moses' veiled face against the greater glory of the new covenant.","r":"2 Corinthians 3:1-18"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-11-16-33\/","n":"2 Corinthians 11:16-33, The fool's boast and the basket over the wall","s":"Forced to boast like a fool, Paul matches his rivals' Jewish credentials and then lists sufferings instead of achievements: lashes, rods, stoning, shipwreck, the dangers of the road, hunger and cold, and a night escape down the wall of Damascus.","r":"2 Corinthians 11:16-33"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2thessalonians-3-6-18\/","n":"2 Thessalonians 3:6-18, The idle, the busybodies, and a greeting in Paul's own hand","s":"Paul tells the church to keep away from believers who are idle and will not work, recalls how he worked night and day to set an example, lays down that anyone unwilling to work should not eat, and signs the letter in his own hand.","r":"2 Thessalonians 3:6-18"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1timothy-4-6-16\/","n":"1 Timothy 4:6-16, Training for godliness, and a young leader","s":"Timothy is to train himself for godliness as an athlete trains his body, set an example despite his youth, devote himself to the public reading of Scripture and teaching, and not neglect the gift given when the elders laid hands on him.","r":"1 Timothy 4:6-16"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-10-19-25\/","n":"Hebrews 10:19-25, Through the curtain, bodies washed, meeting together","s":"Because Jesus' blood has opened a new and living way through the curtain, believers may enter the most holy place with confidence. With hearts sprinkled and bodies washed with pure water, they are to hold fast, spur one another on, and not give up meeting together.","r":"Hebrews 10:19-25"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/james-2-1-13\/","n":"James 2:1-13, The gold ring and the good seat","s":"James forbids favoritism in the assembly. A rich man with a gold ring is given a good seat and a poor man in dirty clothes is told to stand, though it is the rich who drag believers into court and slander the noble name; the royal law of love rules out partiality, and mercy triumphs over judgment.","r":"James 2:1-13"}
- {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-3-1-6\/","n":"Revelation 3:1-6, Sardis, alive in name only","s":"To Sardis the one who holds the seven spirits and seven stars says the church has a reputation for being alive but is dead, and warns that he will come like a thief if it does not wake up. A few have not soiled their clothes; the one who conquers will walk with him in white and will not be blotted out of the book of life.","r":"Revelation 3:1-6"}
Related ideas
Sources
- NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Mark 1:21, 5:22 and 13:9, and notes on Matthew 18:17 and 23:6
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Matthew 4:23, 10:17 and 18:17
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Acts 6:9-10 and 13:15
- NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, note on Acts 13:15
- ESV Study Bible, study note on Acts 13:15
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Acts 16:13
- CSB Study Bible, note on Acts 16:13
- Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on 2 Corinthians 11:24
- NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, note on 2 Corinthians 11:24
