Why did Paul and his companions go "out of the city by a river side" to pray?

Paul and his team went outside the city to a riverside because it was a common practice for Jewish communities to gather for prayer and ritual purification (like a mikvah) in places with natural water sources when there was no formal synagogue in the city. A synagogue typically required a minimum of ten Jewish men (a *minyan*) to be established. The absence of a synagogue in Philippi, a Roman colony, is implied by their search for a customary place of prayer outside the city walls, suggesting a smaller Jewish population or one that had not yet established a formal place of worship. This riverside location provided a quiet, suitable environment for devotion.

Who were the "women which resorted thither" and why is their presence significant?

The "women which resorted thither" were likely Jewish women or Gentile God-fearers who regularly gathered at this riverside spot for prayer and worship. Their presence is highly significant for several reasons: it indicates the inclusive nature of the early Christian mission, as Paul and his team specifically ministered to them; it highlights the role of women in the early church, as one of these women, Lydia, became the first recorded convert in Europe and a key supporter of the Philippian church (Acts 16:14-15); and it demonstrates God's providential leading, as this seemingly small, informal gathering became the entry point for the Gospel into the European continent.

16:12 16:12

Acts 16:13

16:14 16:14

Bible Versions

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].

And {G5037} on the sabbath {G4521}{G2250} we went {G1831} out of {G1854} the city {G4172} by {G3844} a river side {G4215}, where {G3757} prayer {G4335} was wont {G3543} to be made {G1511}; and {G2532} we sat down {G2523}, and spake {G2980} unto the women {G1135} which resorted {G4905} thither.

then on Shabbat, we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we understood a minyan met. We sat down and began speaking to the women who had gathered there.

On 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.

And 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Verse Lookup

Cross-References

Acts 13:14

¶ But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
Colossians 1:23

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and [be] 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;
Luke 13:10

¶ And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
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.
Mark 16:15

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
John 8:2

And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
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,

Bible Versions

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