TRV
Acts 16:13
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].
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.
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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,
Acts 16:13 offers a glimpse into the missionary strategy and spiritual discipline of the Apostle Paul and his companions as they embarked on the critical phase of bringing the Gospel to Europe. This verse marks the beginning of the "we" sections in Acts, indicating that Luke, the author, has joined Paul's group, which also included Silas and Timothy.
Context
After being divinely directed by the Holy Spirit to bypass Asia Minor and cross into Macedonia (as detailed in Acts 16:6-10), Paul and his team arrived in Philippi, a significant Roman colony. On the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, they sought out a place where Jewish people would typically gather for prayer. The absence of a formal synagogue, which required at least ten Jewish men, meant that the community gathered informally. The choice of a "river side" was common, as it provided access to water for ritual purification and offered a quiet, secluded spot for devotion.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "where prayer was wont to be made" uses the archaic word "wont," meaning "accustomed" or "customarily." This suggests that the riverside spot was a regular, established place for prayer, not a random or spontaneous gathering. The Greek word for "prayer" here is proseuchē (προσευχή), which can refer both to the act of prayer and, in some contexts, to a designated place of prayer or an oratory, reinforcing the idea of a customary meeting point.
Practical Application
Acts 16:13 encourages believers today to be diligent in their spiritual practices, like prayer and seeking community, recognizing that God often uses these consistent habits to open doors for ministry. It challenges us to be attentive to divine appointments, understanding that God can lead us to meaningful encounters in ordinary settings. Furthermore, it reminds us of the Gospel's universal appeal and the importance of sharing Christ with all people, regardless of their background or current circumstances, just as Paul ministered to the women by the river, leading to the birth of the vibrant church in Philippi, a congregation Paul deeply cherished (see Philippians 1:3-8).