Acts 16 13

Acts 16:13 kjv

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 spake unto the women which resorted thither.

Acts 16:13 nkjv

And 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.

Acts 16:13 niv

On 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.

Acts 16:13 esv

And 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.

Acts 16:13 nlt

On 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.

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 13 Meaning

On the Sabbath day, they went out of the city by the riverside, where prayer was accustomed to be made; and they sat down, and spoke to the women which resorted thither. This verse describes Paul and his companions intentionally going to a customary place of prayer outside the city walls on the Sabbath, a day of religious observance, and sharing the Gospel with women gathered there. It highlights their adherence to Jewish customs and their mission-mindedness even in a different cultural setting.

Acts 16 13 Context

This verse occurs in Philippi, a significant Roman colony in Macedonia, during Paul's second missionary journey. The previous verse (16:12) states they "kept along side those parts" of the city. Philippi had a substantial Roman military presence and citizenship, indicating a culture less steeped in Jewish tradition than cities in Judea. The Roman emphasis meant that synagogue worship might not be as prevalent as in other regions. The Sabbath day was the traditional day for Jewish worship and instruction. Going to a place of prayer by the riverside indicates there wasn't a formal synagogue building, common for smaller Jewish communities, and it became a known spot for communal prayer. The women who gathered there were likely Jewish women or proselytes seeking spiritual connection, especially in a Gentile-dominated city. This encounter sets the stage for the conversion of Lydia, a businesswoman from Thyatira, who becomes the first recorded convert in Europe.

Acts 16 13 Word Analysis

• "Kai" (καί): And. A common conjunction joining clauses and phrases, indicating continuation.
• "De" (δὲ): But, and. Another conjunction, often marking a contrast or a change in topic, here serving to connect the location and action.
• "En" (ἐν): In, on, at. A preposition indicating location.
• "To" (τῷ): The. Definite article.
• "Sabbatō" (σαββάτῳ): Sabbath. Dative singular of sabbaton (σάββατον), meaning Sabbath day, the seventh day of the week, a day of rest and worship in Judaism.
• "Exelthontes" (ἐξελθόντες): Having gone out. Aorist participle of exelthō (ἐξελθόν), meaning to go out, depart. Highlights their purposeful departure from the city.
• "Tēs poleōs" (τῆς πόλεως): Of the city. Genitive singular of polis (πόλις), city. Specifies they went outside the city limits.
• "Kata" (κατὰ): According to, by. A preposition often indicating the manner or means, here implying "by the river."
• "Ton" (τὸν): The. Definite article.
• "Rheuma" (ῥεῦμα): Stream, river. Accusative singular of rheuma (ῥεῦμα), current, stream, river. Describes the location.
• "Eeiē" (εἴωθε): It was customary, was accustomed. Imperfect tense of ethelō (ἔθω), to be accustomed, be wont. Indicates this was a regular practice, a habitual gathering place for prayer. This points to a known prayer meeting location.
• "Tou" (τοῦ): Of the. Definite article.
• "Topou" (τόπου): Place. Genitive singular of topos (τόπος), place. Refers to a specific location.
• "Osei" (οὗ): Where. Relative adverb, connecting the description to the place.
• "Ginetai" (γίνεται): Is made, happens, is accustomed to be. Third person singular present passive indicative of ginomai (γίνομαι), to become, happen, be. Coupled with the previous word, it means "where it was accustomed to be."
• "Prouchēs" (προσευχῆς): Of prayer. Genitive singular of proseuchē (προσευχή), prayer. Specifies the purpose of the gathering at this place.
• "Kai" (καὶ): And. Conjunction.
• "Katasantes" (καθίσαντες): Having sat down. Aorist participle of kathizō (καθίζω), to cause to sit, sit down. Shows they settled down for a purpose.
• "Esalēsamen" (ἐλαλήσαμεν): We spoke. First person plural aorist indicative of laleō (λαλέω), to talk, speak. This is Paul speaking to the women, likely addressing the group.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "En tō Sabbatō": The explicit mention of the Sabbath day underscores their adherence to Jewish religious practice, even in a predominantly Gentile city. It suggests they were seeking a place where like-minded people would be, in observance of the sacred day.
• "Exelthontes tēs poleōs": Leaving the city limits for prayer was not uncommon, especially if the Jewish population was small and lacked a formal synagogue. Outdoor meeting places, particularly near water, were sometimes used for purification rituals and prayer.
• "Kata ton rheuma osei eweiē prouchēs": This phrase paints a vivid picture of a riverside gathering place where communal prayer was a known and established custom. The "customary place of prayer" implies continuity with Jewish tradition, adapted to their local circumstances.
• "Katasantes kai esalēsamen": Their action of sitting down indicates they were settling in for an extended time of fellowship and proclamation. "We spoke" signifies the commencement of their evangelistic activity, sharing the Gospel with those present.
• "Pros tas gynaikas": The focus on women gathered there is significant. It could be that fewer men were present or that this was the primary demographic gathered for prayer. It also highlights how the Gospel reached all segments of society.

Acts 16 13 Bonus Section

The selection of a riverside location might also carry symbolic meaning. Water often represents cleansing, new life, and the Holy Spirit in biblical imagery. The setting by the river could implicitly point towards the spiritual cleansing and new life found in Christ that Paul would soon share. Furthermore, the focus on women suggests a significant demographic of spiritual seekers within the Philippian community, and God used this encounter to establish the first Christian church in Europe. The ministry to women, as depicted here, is an essential part of the early church's growth and outreach, echoing Jesus' own interactions with women throughout His ministry.

Acts 16 13 Commentary

Paul's actions in Philippi reflect a consistent pattern in his ministry: honoring Jewish customs while extending the Gospel to all nations. On the Sabbath, the designated day of worship, he and his companions sought a known prayer gathering spot outside the city. This demonstrates sensitivity to the religious practices of the people they encountered. The fact that the meeting place was by the riverside where prayer was "accustomed to be made" suggests a community seeking God, possibly a smaller Jewish community or gentile God-fearers who observed certain Jewish practices. Paul and Silas, ever focused on proclaiming the Good News, took advantage of this opportunity to speak to the women gathered. This was not merely casual conversation but a deliberate act of evangelism, sharing the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. This sets the stage for the Lord to open the heart of Lydia, highlighting God's sovereign work in preparing individuals to receive His word. It also demonstrates a practical approach to evangelism, finding opportune moments and settings to engage with people.