Acts 16:13

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.

Commentary

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

  • Sabbath Observance and Prayer: Despite their primary mission to the Gentiles, Paul and his fellow missionaries maintained their Jewish customs, including observing the Sabbath and seeking out places of prayer. This highlights their commitment to spiritual discipline and their strategy of first reaching out to the Jewish community before turning fully to the Gentiles, as was their pattern in other cities.
  • Divine Guidance and Opportunity: The seemingly mundane act of seeking a prayer meeting led them directly to a small gathering, predominantly of women. This demonstrates God's sovereignty in orchestrating encounters and opening doors for the Gospel in unexpected places and through ordinary means. This particular gathering led to the conversion of Lydia, a prominent businesswoman, who became the first recorded convert in Europe.
  • Reaching All People: The evangelists "spake unto the women which resorted thither," emphasizing their willingness to minister to all, regardless of gender or social standing. In a culture where women often had limited public roles, this focus on ministering to them at their place of prayer was significant, laying the foundation for a diverse early church.

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 proseuchฤ“ (ฯ€ฯฮฟฯƒฮตฯ…ฯ‡ฮฎ), 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).

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Cross-References

  • Acts 13:14

    ยถ 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

    ยถ 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

    ยถ 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,
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