New International VersionOn the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.
New Living TranslationOn the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there.
English Standard VersionAnd on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
Berean Standard BibleOn the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there.
Berean Literal BibleAnd on the day of the Sabbaths, we went forth outside the city gate, by a river, where there was customary to be a place of prayer. And having sat down, we began speaking to the women having gathered.
King James BibleAnd on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
New King James VersionAnd on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
New American Standard BibleAnd on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were thinking that there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.
NASB 1995And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.
NASB 1977And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and sitting down, we began speaking to the women who had assembled.
Amplified Bibleand on the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the bank of the [Gangites] river, where we thought there would be a place of prayer, and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had come there.
Christian Standard BibleOn the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there.
Holman Christian Standard BibleOn the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there.
American Standard VersionAnd on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women that were come together.
Contemporary English VersionThen on the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to a place by the river, where we thought there would be a Jewish meeting place for prayer. We sat down and talked with the women who came.
English Revised VersionAnd on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which were come together.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationOn the day of worship we went out of the city to a place along the river where we thought Jewish people gathered for prayer. We sat down and began talking to the women who had gathered there.
Good News TranslationOn the Sabbath we went out of the city to the riverside, where we thought there would be a place where Jews gathered for prayer. We sat down and talked to the women who gathered there.
International Standard VersionOn the Sabbath day, we went out the city gate and walked along the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and began talking to the women who had gathered there.
NET BibleOn the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the side of the river, where we thought there would be a place of prayer, and we sat down and began to speak to the women who had assembled there.
New Heart English BibleOn the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the gate by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had come together.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spoke to the women who resorted thither.
Weymouth New TestamentOn the Sabbath we went beyond the city gate to the riverside, where we had reason to believe that there was a place for prayer; and sitting down we talked with the women who had come together. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOn the Sabbath we went outside the city along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there.
World English BibleOn the Sabbath day we went outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionon the day of the Sabbaths we also went forth outside of the city, by a river, where there used to be prayer, and having sat down, we were speaking to the women who came together,
Berean Literal BibleAnd on the day of the Sabbaths, we went forth outside the city gate, by a river, where there was customary to be a place of prayer. And having sat down, we began speaking to the women having gathered.
Young's Literal Translation on the sabbath-day also we went forth outside of the city, by a river, where there used to be prayer, and having sat down, we were speaking to the women who came together,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the day of the sabbaths we came out of the city by the river, where prayer was customary to be; and having sat down, we spake to the women come together. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd upon the sabbath day, we went forth without the gate by a river side, where it seemed that there was prayer; and sitting down, we spoke to the women that were assembled.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.
New American BibleOn the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.
New Revised Standard VersionOn the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd on the sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the river side because a house of prayer was seen there, and when we were seated, we spoke to the women who had gathered there.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd we departed on the Sabbath day outside the gate of the city on the riverside, because there was seen there a house of prayer, and when we sat, we were speaking with the women who had gathered there. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentand on the sabbath-day we went out of the city to the side of a river, where, as usual, was the house of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
Godbey New TestamentAnd on the Sabbath day we went out from the gate by the river, where we were accustomed that prayer should be, and having sat down, we spoke to the women having assembled.
Haweis New TestamentAnd on the sabbath-day we went forth out of the city to the river side, where an oratory was by custom established; and sitting down, we spoke to the women who there assembled.
Mace New Testamentwe went out of town on the sabbath towards the river, where the Jews were allowed to have an oratory.
Weymouth New TestamentOn the Sabbath we went beyond the city gate to the riverside, where we had reason to believe that there was a place for prayer; and sitting down we talked with the women who had come together.
Worrell New TestamentAnd, on the sabbath day, we went forth without the gate by a river, where we were supposing there was a place of prayer; and, sitting down, we were speaking to the women who had assembled together.
Worsley New TestamentAnd on the sabbath-day we went out of the city to a river-side, where there used to be prayer: and we sat down and preached to the women that resorted thither.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Lydia's Conversion in Philippi… 12From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13On theSabbathwe wentoutsidethecity gatealongthe river,where itwas customaryto finda place of prayer.Aftersitting down,we spoketo thewomenwho had gathered there.14Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.…
Cross References Luke 4:16Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read,
Acts 13:14And from Perga, they traveled inland to Pisidian Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down.
Acts 17:2As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
Acts 20:7On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.
Acts 21:5But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.
Mark 1:21Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.
Luke 6:12In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.
John 4:20-24Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.” / “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ...
Matthew 5:1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him,
Matthew 13:2Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while all the people stood on the shore.
Psalm 122:1A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
Psalm 42:4These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.
Psalm 55:14We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.
Isaiah 66:23From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:19-27This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and stand at the gate of the people, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; and stand at all the other gates of Jerusalem. / Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates. / This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. ...
Treasury of Scripture And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spoke to the women which resorted thither. on. Acts 13:14,42 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down… Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. sabbath. Luke 13:10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. and we. Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, Acts 21:5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, tillwe were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. Matthew 5:1,2 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: … spake. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, andbe not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard,and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Jump to Previous BelieveCityCustomExpectedFindForthGateGatheredIdeaOutsidePrayerReasonResortedRiverRiversideSabbathSatSeatedSideSittingSpeakingSupposedThitherTogetherWomenWontJump to Next BelieveCityCustomExpectedFindForthGateGatheredIdeaOutsidePrayerReasonResortedRiverRiversideSabbathSatSeatedSideSittingSpeakingSupposedThitherTogetherWomenWontActs 16 1.Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,7.and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,14.convert Lydia,16.and cast out a spirit of divination;19.for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.25.The prison doors are opened.31.The jailor is converted,35.and they are delivered.On the SabbathThe Sabbath, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, is a day of rest and worship in Jewish tradition, rooted in the creation narrative ( Genesis 2:2-3) and the Fourth Commandment ( Exodus 20:8-11). In the early church, Jewish Christians continued to observe the Sabbath, and Paul often used it as an opportunity to engage with Jewish communities ( Acts 13:14, 17:2). we went outside the city gate
Philippi, a Roman colony, had a limited Jewish presence, as evidenced by the absence of a synagogue. The city gate was a common place for gatherings and trade, and going outside the gate suggests seeking a quieter, more natural setting for prayer and worship, away from the bustling city life. along the river
Rivers were significant in Jewish purification rituals (Leviticus 15:13) and were often chosen for prayer gatherings when synagogues were unavailable. The riverbank provided a serene environment conducive to worship and reflection, reminiscent of the Israelites' experiences by the waters of Babylon (Psalm 137:1). where it was customary to find a place of prayer
The Greek term "proseuche" indicates a place designated for prayer, often used by Jewish communities in the Diaspora when a synagogue was not present. This reflects the adaptability of Jewish worship practices in foreign lands, maintaining their faith and traditions despite geographical and cultural challenges. After sitting down
Sitting was a traditional posture for teaching in Jewish culture, as seen in Jesus' ministry (Matthew 5:1). This indicates a readiness to engage in dialogue and instruction, following the example of rabbinic teaching methods. we spoke to the women who had gathered there
The presence of women highlights their active role in early Christian communities. Lydia, mentioned later in the chapter, becomes a significant convert and supporter of Paul's mission (Acts 16:14-15). This gathering underscores the inclusivity of the Gospel message, breaking cultural norms that often marginalized women in religious settings. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul and his companionsPaul, along with Silas, Timothy, and possibly Luke, are the main figures in this passage. They are on a missionary journey to spread the Gospel. 2. PhilippiA leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. It is significant as the first European city where Paul preached the Gospel. 3. The SabbathThe Jewish day of rest and worship, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. It was customary for Jews to gather for prayer and teaching on this day. 4. The riverA location outside the city gate of Philippi where people gathered for prayer, possibly due to the absence of a synagogue in the city. 5. The women gatheredA group of women who met by the river for prayer. Lydia, a notable convert, is mentioned later in the chapter as one of these women. Teaching Points The Importance of Seeking God in CommunityPaul and his companions sought out a place of prayer, demonstrating the value of communal worship and fellowship. Christians today should prioritize gathering with other believers for prayer and encouragement. God's Work in Unexpected PlacesThe meeting by the river shows that God can work outside traditional settings. Believers should be open to God's leading in unconventional places and situations. The Role of Women in MinistryThe presence of women at the prayer meeting highlights their active role in the early church. This encourages the inclusion and empowerment of women in ministry today. The Significance of the SabbathObserving a day of rest and worship is a biblical principle that remains relevant. Christians should consider how they can honor God through rest and reflection in their weekly routines. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Acts 16:13?
2.How does Acts 16:13 demonstrate the importance of seeking God in prayer?
3.What can we learn from the women's gathering by the river in Acts 16:13?
4.How does Acts 16:13 connect with other biblical examples of communal prayer?
5.How can we implement regular prayer gatherings in our community today?
6.What role does location play in worship and prayer according to Acts 16:13?
7.What significance does the Sabbath hold in Acts 16:13 for early Christians?
8.Why did Paul and his companions seek a place of prayer outside the city in Acts 16:13?
9.How does Acts 16:13 reflect the role of women in early Christian communities?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 16?
11.Who was Lydia in the Bible?
12.What does the Bible teach about courage?
13.(2 Corinthians 7:5) Are there any historical or archaeological records confirming the exact nature of Paul’s “conflicts” in Macedonia?
14.What is the belief system of Messianic Judaism?What Does Acts 16:13 Mean On the Sabbath• Luke records, “On the Sabbath we went…” (Acts 16:13). Paul and his team keep the seventh-day pattern established inGenesis 2:3 and observed by Jesus (Luke 4:16) and the early church (Acts 13:14; 17:2). • The Sabbath rhythm reminds believers that ministry flows out of rest in God’s finished work (Hebrews 4:9-10). • Gathering on this day also increases the likelihood of meeting devout Jews or God-fearing Gentiles open to Scripture (Acts 13:42-43).
We went outside the city gate• Philippi had no synagogue; a Jewish quorum of ten men was required to form one. Going outside the gate shows Paul’s readiness to seek people “where they are,” echoing Jesus ministering beyond established religious centers (Mark 1:35-39). • Stepping outside the city pictures Jesus “suffering outside the gate” (Hebrews 13:12-13), calling followers to take the gospel beyond cultural comfort zones (Acts 1:8).
Along the river• Rivers offered fresh water for ceremonial washings (Leviticus 14:5) and a quiet setting for prayer (Psalm 23:2). • The scene recallsPsalm 137:1, where exiles sat “by the rivers of Babylon” and sought God, showing that any place can become holy ground when hearts turn to Him.
Where it was customary to find a place of prayer• In Greek-speaking cities a proseuchē—an informal outdoor prayer spot—often served Jews lacking a synagogue (Acts 13:50). • Paul’s choice affirms that authentic worship is not confined to buildings (John 4:21-24;Acts 7:48-49). • Expectant hearts gathered there; God had prepared this appointment long before the missionaries arrived (Ephesians 2:10).
After sitting down• Rabbis sat to teach (Luke 4:20). Paul’s posture signals respect and a readiness to share Scripture conversationally rather than confrontationally. • Sitting also places him at eye level with listeners, modeling servant-leadership (Matthew 20:26-28).
We spoke to the women who had gathered there• Though Jewish culture often focused on male gatherings, the Spirit leads Paul to women first in Europe, showing the gospel’s inclusive reach (Galatians 3:28). • Lydia, soon converted (Acts 16:14-15), becomes the first recorded European believer and a strategic partner in gospel advance, echoing earlier female supporters of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3). • Speaking with women publicly imitates Jesus’ approach to the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-26), affirming their worth and role in God’s kingdom.
summaryActs 16:13 shows Paul and his companions intentionally aligning with God’s rhythms, stepping outside normal venues, and meeting seekers where they are. A simple riverside prayer gathering becomes the doorway for the gospel into Europe, proving again that when believers rest in God, follow the Spirit’s lead, and value every person, He opens hearts and establishes new beachheads for His kingdom. (13) By a river side, where prayer was wont to be made.--Better, where an oratory( i.e.,a place of prayer) was established. The word, which was the Greek equivalent for the Hebrew "house of prayer" ( Matthew 21:13), is used in this sense by Josephus ( Vit. p. 54), (see Note on Luke 6:12), and was current among the Jews at Rome. Where they had no synagogue, and in a military station like Philippi there was not likely to be one, the Jews frequented the river-banks, which made ablutions easy, and often succeeded in getting a piece of ground assigned for that purpose outside the walls of the city. Juvenal ( Sat. iii. 11-13) notes this as one of the instances of the decay of the old faith of Rome: "The groves and streams which once were sacred ground Are now let out td Jews." The local meaning is seen in another line from the same writer (Sat. iii. 296): "Ede, ubi consistas, in qua te quaero, proseucha?" ["Say where thou dwell'st, and in what place of prayer I am to seek thee?"] The oratories, orproseuchae,thus formed, were commonly circular, and without a roof. The practice continued in the time of Tertullian, who speaks of the "orationes litorales" of the Jews (ad Nat. i. 13). The river, in this instance, was the Gangites. Finding no synagogue in the city, and hearing of the oratory, the company of preachers went out to it to take their part in the Sabbath services, and to preach Christ to any Jews they might find there. . . . Verse 13.- Sabbath day for sabbath, A.V.; we went forth without the gate for we went out of the city, A.V. and T.R. ( πύλης for πολέως); we supposed there Was a place of prayer for prayer was wont to be made, A.V.; were come together for resorted thither, A.V. By a river side. By the river side is the natural way of expressing it in English. The river is not the Strymon, which is a day's journey distant from Philippi, but probably a small stream called the Gangas or Gangites, which is crossed by the Via Eguatia, about a mile out of Philippi. The neighborhood of water, either near a stream or on the seashore, was usually preferred by the Jews as a place for prayer, as affording facility for ablutions (see Josephus, 'Ant. Jud.,' 14:10, 23; and other passages quoted by Alford). The phrase, οϋ ἐνομίζετοπροσευχὴ εῖναι, should be rendered, not as in the R.V., but more nearly as the A.V., where a prayer-meeting( of the Jews) was accustomed to be held; i.e. this particular spot was the usual place where such Jews or proselytes as happened to be at Philippi met for prayer. It also appears from Epiphanius (' Hear.,' 80, § 1, quoted by Alford) that the Jews usually had their προσευχαί, whether buildings, or open spaces, ἔξωπολέως, outside the city. The wayside crosses are of the nature of προσευχαί.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek On theΤῇ(Tē)Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Sabbathσαββάτων(sabbatōn)Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4521:The Sabbath, a week.we wentἐξήλθομεν(exēlthomen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1831:To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.outsideἔξω(exō)Preposition
Strong's 1854:Without, outside. Adverb from ek; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively.theτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.city gateπύλης(pylēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4439:A gate. Apparently a primary word; a gate, i.e. The leaf or wing of a folding entrance.alongπαρὰ(para)Preposition
Strong's 3844:Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.[the] river,ποταμὸν(potamon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4215:A river, torrent, stream. Probably from a derivative of the alternate of pino; a current, brook or freshet, i.e. Running water.where [it]οὗ(hou)Adverb
Strong's 3757:Where, whither, when, in what place. Genitive case of hos as adverb; at which place, i.e. Where.was customaryἐνομίζομεν(enomizomen)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3543:From nomos; properly, to do by law, i.e. To accustom; by extension, to deem or regard.to findεἶναι(einai)Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.[a place of] prayer.προσευχὴν(proseuchēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4335:From proseuchomai; prayer; by implication, an oratory.[After]καὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.sitting down,καθίσαντες(kathisantes)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2523:Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle.we spokeἐλαλοῦμεν(elaloumen)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2980:A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.to theταῖς(tais)Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.womenγυναιξίν(gynaixin)Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1135:A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.who had gathered [there].συνελθούσαις(synelthousais)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4905:From sun and erchomai; to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or, cohabit.
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NT Apostles: Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath day we went forth (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
