Acts 16:13

Acts 16:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version 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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And on the Sabbath we went outside the town, by the river, where we had an idea that there would be a place of prayer; and, being seated, we had talk with the women who had come together.

Free Bible Version FBV

On the Sabbath day we went out of the citytown gates down to the riverside where we thought people would come to pray. We sat down and talked with the women who had gathered there.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And on the Sabbath day, we went out of the citie, besides a Riuer, where they were wont to pray: and we sate downe, and spake vnto the women, which were come together.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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,

World English Bible WEB

On 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.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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 who resorted thither .

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And 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.

Translation for Translators T4T

On the first ◄Sabbath/Jewish day of rest► after we(exc) arrived, we went outside the city gate down to the river. We had heard someone say that Jewish people gathered to pray there. When we arrived there, we saw some women who had gathered to pray. So we sat down and began to tell them the message about Jesus.

Plain English Version PEV

On the next Saturday, we went outside the town to a place near the river. We thought we might see some Jewish people meeting there to pray. Some women were there, and we sat down and talked with them.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Acts 16:13

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Acts 16:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK τη τε ημερα των σαββατων εξηλθομεν εξω της πολεως παρα ποταμον ου ενομιζετο προσευχη ειναι και καθισαντες ελαλουμεν ταις συνελθουσαις γυναιξιν

τη ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DSF

τε te G5037 and/both Particle

ημερα hēmera G2250 day Noun-DSF

των ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GPN

σαββατων sabbaton G4521 Sabbath Noun-GPN

εξηλθομεν exerchomai G1831 to go out Verb-2AAI-1P

εξω exō G1854 out/outside(r) Adv

της ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSF

πολεως polis G4172 city Noun-GSF

παρα para G3844 from/with/beside Prep

ποταμον potamos G4215 river Noun-ASM

ου ohu G3757 whither Adv

ενομιζετο nomizō G3543 to think Verb-IPI-3S

προσευχη proseuchē G4335 prayer Noun-NSF

ειναι eimi G1510 to be Verb-PAN

και kai G2532 and Conj

καθισαντες kathizō G2523 to seat Verb-AAP-NPM

ελαλουμεν laleō G2980 to speak Verb-IAI-1P

ταις ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DPF

συνελθουσαις sunerchomai G4905 to assemble Verb-2AAP-DPF

γυναιξιν gunē G1135 woman Noun-DPF

Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — Acts 16:13

τη ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

τε te G5037 "and/both" Particle

A conjunction meaning and or both, used to connect words or ideas closely. Found in Matthew 28:12 and Acts 2:33, it shows a strong link between things.

Definition: τέ, enclitic copulative particle (= Lat. -que as καί = and, ac, atque, not very frequently in NT, more than two-thirds of the occurrences being in Ac. __1. τέ solitarium, and, denoting a closer affinity than καί between words and sentences which it connects (BL, §77, 8): Mat.28:12, Jhn.4:42, Act.2:33, 37 40 10:22 11:21, al. __2. Denoting a closer connection than simple καί, τὲ . . . καί, τὲ καί, τὲ . . . τέ (Act.26:16 Rom.14:8), as well . . . as also, both . . . and: Luk.12:45, Act.1:1 15:9, 21:30, al.; τὲ . . . δέ, and . . . and, Act.19:2; τὲ γάρ . . . ὁμοίως δὲ καί, Rom.1:26, 27. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 188 NT verses. KJV: also, and, both, even, then, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 20:21; Hebrews 1:3.

ημερα hēmera G2250 "day" Noun-DSF

The Greek word for day refers to a 24-hour period, used in Revelation 21:25 and Acts 9:24. It can also mean a period of time, like in Luke 21:37.

Definition: ἡμέρα, -ας, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly (very freq.) for יוֹם ;] day; __1. as distinct from night: genitive ἡμέρας, by day (WM, §30, 11), Rev.21:25; ἡ. κ. νυκτός (ν. κ. ̔ἡ.), Act.9:24, 1Th.2:9, 2Th.3:8, Rev.4:8 (BL, §36, 13); ἡμέρας μέσης, at mid-day, Act.26:13; accusative durat., τ. ἡμέρας, Luk.21:37; ὅλην τὴν ἡ., Rom.8:36; ἐν ἡμέρα, Jhn.11:9, Rom.13:13; ἡμέρας ὁδός, a day's journey, Luk.2:44; ἡ. γίνεται, Lk 4:42 22:66; κλίνει, Luk.9:12, al.; metaphorically, Jhn.9:4, Rom.13:12, 1Th.5:4, 5 8, 2Pe.1:19. __2. Of a civil day of 24 hours, incl. night: Mat.6:34, Mrk.6:21, Luk.13:14, al.; τρίτῃ ἡ., Mat.16:21; ἡμέρᾳ κ. ἡ. (cf. יוֹם בְּיוֹם, Est.3:4), 2Co.4:16; ὅλην τ. ἡ., Rom.8:36 10:21; pl., Jhn.2:12, Act.9:19, al.; ἡ. τῶν ἀζύμων, Act.12:3; τ. σαββάτου, Luk.13:14, 16; ἡ κυριάκη ἡ., Rev.1:10. __3. In Messianic sense, of the last day: ἡ ἡ. (ἐκείνη, τ. κυρίου, etc.), Mat.7:22, Luk.6:23, Rom.13:12, 1Co.1:8, 1Th.5:2, 2Th.2:2, 2Pe.3:10, al; by meton., as compared with the divine judgment on that day, ἡ. ἀνθρωπίνη, of a human tribunal, 1Co.4:3 (EV, man's judgment). __4. As in Heb. (also in Gk. writers; Bl, §46, 9; M, Pr., 81), of time in general: Jhn.8:56 14:20, 2Co.6:2, Eph.6:13, 2Pe.3:18; pl. Act.15:7, Eph.5:16, Heb.10:32; πᾶσας τὰς ἡ. (cf. כָּל הַיָּמִים, Deu.4:40, al.; MM, Exp., xv), Mat.28:20; ἐλεύσονται ἡ. ὅταν (ὅτε), Mat.9:15, Mrk.2:20, Luk.5:35 17:22; αἱ ἡ., with genitive of person(s) (Gen.26:1, al.), Mat.2:1, Luk.1:5, Act.7:45, 1Pe.3:20; ἀρχ̀ ἡμερῶν, Heb.7:3. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 366 NT verses. KJV: age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years See also: 1 Corinthians 1:8; Acts 21:5; 1 Peter 2:12.

των ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GPN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

σαββατων sabbaton G4521 "Sabbath" Noun-GPN

The Sabbath refers to the seventh day of the week, a day of rest and worship. It is mentioned in Matthew 12:8 and Mark 2:27, highlighting its importance in Jewish tradition. The concept of Sabbath rest is still observed today.

Definition: σάββατον, -ου, τό (Aram. שַׁבָּתָא, transliterated σάββατα, and this being mistaken for a pl., the sing. σάββατον was formed from it), and σάββατα, -ων, τά [in LXX for שַׁבָּת, שַׁבָּתוֹן ;] __1. the seventh day of the week, the sabbath __(a) the sing. form -ον, τὸ σ.: Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:27, Luk.6:5, al.; ἡ ἡμέρα τοῦ σ. (in LXX, Exo.20:8, al., usually τῶν σ., see infr.), Luk.13:16 14:5; ὁδὸς σαββάτου, Act.1:12 (cf. Mat.24:29); dative, of time (τῷ) σ., Luk.6:9 14:1; ἐν (τῷ) σ., Mat.12:2, Luk.6:7, Jhn.5:16, al.; accusative, of duration, τὸ σ., Luk.23:56; κατὰ πᾶν σ., Act.13:27 15:21 18:4; pl., σ. τρία, Act.17:2 R, txt. (but see infr.); __(b) as most frequently in LXX (see Swete, Mk., 17; Thackeray, Gr., 35) the pl. form, τὰ σ. (see supr. on the Aram. form. There is also an analogy in the names of other festivals, τ. ἐγκαίνια, ἄζυμα, etc.): Mat.28:1, Col.2:16; ἡ ἡμέρα τῶν σ. (Exo.20:8, al.), Luk.4:16, Act.13:14 16:13; dative pl. (in LXX -τοις, but 1Ma.2:38 as in NT) by metaplasmus (El., § 9, 3), σάββασι, Mat.12:1, 5 12:10-12 Mrk.1:21 2:23 3:2, 4, Luk.4:31 6:2. __2. seven days, a week; __(a) the sing. form: πρώτη σαββάτσυ, Mrk.16:9; δὶς τοῦ σ. (Bl., § 35, 4; 36, 13), Luk.18:12; κατὰ μίαν σαββάτου, 1Co.16:2; pl., σ. τρία, Act.17:2 R, mg. (but see supr.); __(b) the pl. form: ἡ μία τῶν σ. (where the genitive = μετὰ τά; Soph., Lex., 43a), Mat.28:1, Mrk.16:2, Luk.24:1, Jhn.20:1, 19, Act.20:7 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 62 NT verses. KJV: sabbath (day), week See also: 1 Corinthians 16:2; Luke 13:10; Matthew 28:1.

εξηλθομεν exerchomai G1831 "to go out" Verb-2AAI-1P

To go out or come out of a place, as in Matthew 10:11 and Mark 1:35, where Jesus and his disciples went out to preach. This word is also used in John 13:30, where Judas went out into the night. It can also mean to spread out or proceed from a place.

Definition: ἐξέρχομαι, [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for יצא, also for עלה ,בּוֹא, etc. ;] depon., to go, or come out of: Mat.10:11, Mrk.1:35, Jhn.13:30, al.; with inf., Mat.11:8, Mrk.3:21, Luk.7:25, 26 Act.20:8; id. before ἐπί, Mat.26:55, al.; εἰς, Mrk.1:38; ἵνα, Rev.6:2; ἐ. before ἐκ (cl. with genitive loc.), Mrk.5:2, Jhn.4:30, al.; ἔξω, with genitive, Mat.21:17, Mrk.14:68, Act.16:13, Heb.13:13; ἀπό, Mrk.11:12, Luk.9:5, Php.4:15; ἐκεῖθεν, Mat.15:21, Mrk.6:1, Luk.9:4, al.; of demons expelled, before ἐκ (ἀπό), with genitive of person(s), Mrk.1:25, 26 5:8, Luk.4:35, al.; of prisoners released, Mat.5:26, Act.16:40; ptcp., ἐξελθών, with indic., of verb of departure (cf. Dalman, Words, 20f.), Mat.8:32 15:21 24:1, Mrk.16:8, Luk.22:39, Act.12:9, 17 al. Metaphorical, __(a) of persons: 2Co.6:17, 1Jn.2:19; of birth or origin, Mat.2:6 (LXX), Heb.7:5 (cf . Gen.35:11); of escape from danger, ἐκ τ. χειρὸς αὐτῶν, Jhn.10:39; of public appearance, 1Jn.4:1; __(b) of things: Mat.24:27; esp. of utterances, reports, proclamations: φωνή, Rev.16:17 19:5; φήμη, Mat.9:26, Luk.4:14; ἀκοή, Mrk.1:28; λόγος, Jhn.21:23; δόγμα, Luk.2:1 (cf. δι-εξέρχομαι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 217 NT verses. KJV: come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad See also: 1 Corinthians 5:10; Luke 9:5; Hebrews 3:16.

εξω exō G1854 "out/outside(r)" Adv

The Greek word for out or outside, used in the Bible to describe physical locations, like outside a house, or spiritual conditions, like being outside the Church. It appears in Matthew 12:46 and 1 Corinthians 5:12.

Definition: ἔξω adv. (ἐξ), [in LXX for חוּץ ;] __1. outside, without; __(a) adverbially: Mat.12:46, Mrk.3:31 11:4, Luk.8:20, Jhn.18:16, al.; with art., ὁ ἔ., he who is without; metaphorically, in pl., οἱ ἔ., of those outside the Church, 1Co.5:12-13, Col.4:5 (Lft., in l), 1Th.4:12; ὁ ἔ. ἄνθρωπος, 2Co.4:16; αἱ ἔ. πόλεις, Act.26:11; __(b) as prep. with genitive: Luk.13:33, Act.21:5, Heb.13:11-12 __2. After verbs of motion; __(a) adverbially, forth, out: Mat.5:13 Mrk.14:68, Luk.22:62, Jhn.19:4, 13, Act.9:40, al.; __(b) as prep. with genitive, out of: Mat.21:17, Mrk.11:19 12:8, Luk.4:29, Act.7:58, Heb.13:13, al (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 62 NT verses. KJV: away, forth, (with-)out (of, -ward), strange See also: 1 Corinthians 5:12; Luke 4:29; Hebrews 13:11.

της ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

πολεως polis G4172 "city" Noun-GSF

In the Bible, a city refers to a town with walls, like Jerusalem in Matthew 2:23. It can also mean the people who live there, as in Matthew 10:5. Jesus often visited cities during his ministry.

Definition: πόλις, -εως, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for עִיר ;] a city: Mat.2:23, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:29, Jhn.4:8, al. mult.; opposite to κῶμαι (κ. καὶ ἀγροί), Mat.9:35 10:11, Mrk.6:56, Luk.8:1 13:22; with nom. propr. in appos. (cl.), Act.11:5 16:14; with id. in genitive appos. (BL, §35, 5), Act.8:5, 2Pe.2:6; genitive, of the region, Luk.1:26 4:31, Jhn.4:5; of the inhabitants, Mat.10:5, 23 Luk.23:51, Act.19:35, 2Co.11:32; with genitive of person(s), of one's residence or native place, Mat.22:7, Luk.2:4, 11 4:29 10:11, Jhn.1:45, Act.16:20, Rev.16:9; of Jerusalem: ἡ ἁγία π., Mat.4:5 27:53, Rev.11:2; ἡ ἠγαπημένη, Rev.20:19; π. τοῦ μεγάλου, Mt 5 ̈35 (cf. Ps 47 (48):2); of the heavenly city in the Apocalyptic visions, Rev.3:12 21:2, 10 14ff. 22:14, 19. By meton., of the inhabitants of a city: Mat.8:34 12:25 21:10, Mrk.1:33, Act.14:21 21:30. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 154 NT verses. KJV: city See also: 2 Corinthians 11:26; Luke 9:10; Hebrews 11:10.

παρα para G3844 "from/with/beside" Prep

Means 'from' or 'beside', indicating the source or origin of something, as seen in Mark 14:43 and John 15:26. It can also mean 'at' or 'in the vicinity of' something. Used to show the relationship between people or things.

Definition: παρά, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative, with radical sense, beside. __I. C. genitive of person(s), from the side of, from beside, from, indicating source or origin, [in LXX for מֵאֵצֶל ,מִיַד ,מִלִּפְנֵי ;] after verbs of motion, Mrk.14:43, Luk.8:49, Jhn.15:26, al.; after verbs of seeking, receiving, hearing, etc., Mrk.8:11 12:2, Jhn.4:9, 52 10:18, Php.4:18, 2Ti.1:18, Jas.1:7, al.; after passive verbs, of the agent (like ὑπό), Mat.21:42, Mrk.12:11, Luk.1:37; absol., οἱ παρ᾽ αὐτοῦ, his family, his kinsfolk, Mrk.3:21 (cf. M, Pr., 106f.; Field, Notes, 25f.; Swete, in l.); τὰ παρ᾽ αὐτῆς (αὐτῶν, ὑμῶν, one's means, wealth, Mrk.5:26, Luk.10:7, Php.4:18. __II. C. dative of person(s) (exc. Jhn.19:25, π. τ. σταυρῷ), by the side of, beside, by, with, [in LXX for בְּעֵינֵי ,בְּיַד ,אֵצֶל ;] Luk.11:37 19:7, Jhn.1:40 4:40, Act.28:14, al.; παρ᾽ ἑαυτῷ, at home, 1Co.16:2; with dative pl., among, Mat.22:25, Col.4:16, al.; metaphorically, Mat.19:26, Mrk.10:27, Luk.1:30, Rom.2:13, Jas.1:27, al. __III. C. accusative, of motion by or towards, [in LXX for בְּעֵבֶר ,עַל יַד ,אֵצֶל ;] __1. of place, by the side of, beside, by, along: Act.10:32, Heb.11:12; after verbs of motion, Mat.4:18, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, Act.4:35, al.; after verbs of rest, Mat.13:1, Mrk.5:21, Luk.8:35, al. __2. beside, beyond, metaphorically; __(a) beyond, against, contrary to: Act.18:13, Rom.1:26 4:18 11:24, al.; except, 2Co.11:24; __(b) beyond, above, in comparison with: Luk.3:13, Rom.12:3 14:5, Heb.1:4, 9 3:3, al.; __(with) on account of: 1Co.12:15, 16. __IV. In composition: beside, to (παραλαμβάνω, παράγω), at hand (πάρειμι), from (παραρρέω), amiss (παρακούω), past (παρέρχομαι), compared with (παρομοιάζω), above measure (παροργίζω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 189 NT verses. KJV: above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give (such things as they), + that (she) had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side…by, in the sight of, than, (there-)fore, with See also: 1 Corinthians 3:11; John 7:51; 1 Peter 2:4.

ποταμον potamos G4215 "river" Noun-ASM

This word means a river or stream of running water, as in Matthew 3:5 and Revelation 8:10. It can also symbolize a large amount of water, like a flood.

Definition: ποταμός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for נָהָר, יְאֹר ;] a river, stream, torrent: Mat.3:5 7:25, 27, Mrk.1:1-45 :, Luk.6:48-49, Act.16:13, 2Co.11:26, Rev.8:10 9:14 12:15-16 16:4, 12 21:1-2. Fig., pl., π. ὕδατος ζῶντος, Jhn.7:38.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 16 NT verses. KJV: flood, river, stream, water See also: 2 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 8:10; Revelation 9:14.

ου ohu G3757 "whither" Adv

This word means 'where' or 'to what place', asking for a location. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 2:9 and Acts 1:13. It is used to ask about a physical place.

Definition: oὗ (prop. genitive of ὅς), adv. of place, where, whither; __(a) in answer to the question "where?" (= ubi): Mat.2:9 18:20, Luk.4:16-17 23:53, Act.1:13 2:2 7:29 12:12 16:13 20:6, 8 25:10 28:14, Rom.9:26" (LXX), Col.3:1, Heb.3:9" (LXX), Rev.17:15; of condition, Rom.4:15 5:20, 2Co.3:17; __(b) in answer to the question "whither?" (= quo): Mat.28:16, Luk.10:1 24:28; before ἐάν, with subjc., 1Co.16:6.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 27 NT verses. KJV: where(-in), whither(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 16:6; John 11:41; Hebrews 3:9.

ενομιζετο nomizō G3543 "to think" Verb-IPI-3S

This word means to think or believe something is true, like in Matthew 5:17 where Jesus talks about people's thoughts. It can also mean to do something regularly, like a habit. The Bible uses this word to describe what people think about God's laws.

Definition: νομίζω (νόμος), [in LXX: Wis.13:2 17:3, Sir.29:4, 1-28; 2Ma.4:1-50, 4Ma.8:1-29 * ;] __1. to practise, hold by custom: Act.16:13 (Rec., but see infr.). __2. to deem, consider, suppose: Mat.5:17 10:34 20:10, Luk.2:44 3:23, Act.7:25 8:20 14:19 16:13, 27 17:29 21:29, 1Co.7:26 7:36, 1Ti.6:5.† SYN.: ἡγέομαι, q.v (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: suppose, thing, be wont See also: 1 Corinthians 7:26; Acts 16:27; Matthew 20:10.

προσευχη proseuchē G4335 "prayer" Noun-NSF

Prayer to God, like in Matthew 21:22 and Acts 3:1, or a place for prayer, as in Matthew 21:13

Definition: προσ-ευχή, -ῆς, ἡ (προσεύχομαι), [in LXX chiefly for תְּפִלָּה ;] __1. prayer to God: Mat.17:21 (WH, R, txt., om.) Mat.21:22, Mrk.9:29, Luk.22:45, Act.3:1 6:4 10:31, Rom.12:12, 1Co.7:5, Col.4:2; pl., Act.2:42 10:4, Rom.1:10, Eph.1:16 Col.4:12, 1Th.1:2, Phm 4 22, 1Pe.3:7 4:7, Rev.5:8 8:3-4; οἶκος προσευχῆς, Mat.21:13, Mrk.11:17, Luk.19:46" (LXX) ; π. καὶ δέησις, Eph.6:18, Php.4:6; pl., 1Ti.2:1 5:5; ἡ π. τοῦ θεοῦ, prayer to God (ef. Wis.16:28), Luk.6:12; πρὸς τ. θεόν, before ὑπέρ, Act.12:5; pl., Rom.15:30; Hebraistically (B1., § 38, 3), προσευχῇ προσεύχεσθαι, Jas.5:17 (EV, prayed fervently). __2. a place of prayer: of a synagogue (3Ma.7:20, seel.; see Charles, APOT, i, 173; for other exx., see Kennedy, Sources, 114); of a place in the open (FlJ, Ant., xiv, 10, 23), Act.16:13, 16.† SYN.: see: δέησις (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 37 NT verses. KJV: X pray earnestly, prayer See also: 1 Corinthians 7:5; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Peter 3:7.

ειναι eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-PAN

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

καθισαντες kathizō G2523 "to seat" Verb-AAP-NPM

The Greek word for to seat or to set, used in Matthew 5:1 and many other places to describe Jesus sitting down to teach. It can also mean to appoint or to settle, and is often used to describe people sitting or being seated in a place of authority. This word is commonly used in the New Testament to describe various scenes and settings.

Definition: καθ-ίζω [in LXX chiefly for יָשַׁב ;] __1. causal, to make to sit down, set, appoint: Act.2:30, 1Co.6:4, Eph.1:20. __2. Intrans., to sit down, be seated, sit: Mat.5:1, Mrk.9:35, Luk.7:15, Jhn.8:2, al.; with inf. tel., 1Co.10:7; before εἰς, 2Th.2:4; ἐπί, with accusative, Mrk.11:2, Jhn.12:14; id. with genitive, Jhn.19:13, Act.12:21; ὧδε, Mrk.14:32; αὐτοῦ, Mat.26:36; ἐν δεξιᾷ, Heb.1:3; ἐκ δεξιῶν, Mat.20:21, 23; ἐν, Rev.3:21; καθίσας pleonastic (M, Pro.14:1-35; Dalman, Words, 22), Mat.13:48, Luk.5:3 14:31 16:6; of settling in a place (ἐς χωρίον, Thuc., iv, 93), before ἐν, Luk.24:49 (cf. ἀνα-, ἐπι-, παρα-, περι-, συν-καθίζω) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 46 NT verses. KJV: continue, set, sit (down), tarry See also: 1 Corinthians 6:4; Luke 14:31; Hebrews 1:3.

ελαλουμεν laleō G2980 "to speak" Verb-IAI-1P

To speak or talk, as in Matthew 9:33 and 12:46, where Jesus speaks to the crowds. It can also mean to utter words, like in Revelation 4:1. This word is often translated as preach, say, or tell in the KJV.

Definition: λαλέω, -ῶ, [in LXX chiefly for דּבר pi., also for אמר, etc. ;] __1. to utter: of inanimate things, Rev.4:1 10:4; metaphorically, Heb.11:4 12:24. __2. to talk, speak, say: absol., Mat.9:33 12:46, Mrk.5:35, Luk.8:49; before ὡς, 1Co.13:11, Rev.13:11; εἰς, 1Co.14:9; ἐκ, Mat.12:34; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.10:19, Mrk.11:32, Jhn.8:30, al.; with dative of person(s), Mat.12:46, Luk.24:6, Rom.7:1, al.; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Mat.9:18, Jhn.10:6, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, Mrk.6:50, Luk.1:19 2:33, al.; ἐν, ἐξ, ἀπό, Mat.13:3, Jhn.12:49 14:10, al.; λ. τ. λόγον, Mrk.8:32, al.; before orat. dir. (not cl.), Mrk.14:31, Heb.5:5 11:18; Hebraistically (Dalman, Words, 25f.), ἐλάλησε λέγων, Mat.14:27, Jhn.8:12, Act.8:26, al. SYN.: see: λέγω. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 269 NT verses. KJV: preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 2:6; Acts 23:18; 1 Peter 3:10.

ταις ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DPF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

συνελθουσαις sunerchomai G4905 "to assemble" Verb-2AAP-DPF

To assemble means to come together or convene, as in Mark 3:20 and Acts 1:6. It's about gathering with others, often for a meeting or a shared purpose.

Definition: συν-έρχομαι [in LXX for הָלַךְ, בּוֹא, אָסַף ni., etc. ;] __1. (cl.) to come together, assemble: Mrk.3:20 14:53, T, WH, txt., Act.1:6 2:6 10:27 16:13 19:32 21:22 22:30 28:17, 1Co.14:26; before εἰς, with accusative loc., Act.5:16; ἐπὶ τ. αὐτό, 1Co.11:20 14:23; with dative of person(s), Mrk.14:53, WH, mg., R (πρὸς αὐτόν, see Field, Notes, 40), Jhn.11:33; ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ, 1Co.11:18; ἐνθάδε, Act.25:17; Mrk.6:33, WH, mg. (cf. WH, Intr., 95 ff.); ὅπου, Jhn.18:20; with inf., Luk.5:15; εἰς τ. φαγεῖν, 1Co.11:33; εἰς τ. ἧσσον, 1Co.11:17 11:34; of sexual intercourse (Xen., al.; γυναικί or absol.), Mat.1:18. __2. In later sense (see exx. in Milligan, Selections, 64, 105), to accompany: with dative of person(s), Luk.23:55, Act.1:21 9:39 10:23, 45 11:12; before σύν, Act.21:16; εἰς, Act.15:38.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 32 NT verses. KJV: accompany, assemble (with), come (together), come (company, go) with, resort See also: 1 Corinthians 7:5; Acts 11:12; Matthew 1:18.

γυναιξιν gunē G1135 "woman" Noun-DPF

A woman, either married or unmarried, and sometimes specifically a wife, as in Matthew 11:11 and Romans 7:2. This term is also used as a term of respect and endearment.

Definition: γυνή, -αικός, ἡ, [in LXX for אִשָּׁה ;] __1. a woman, married or unmarried: Mat.11:11 14:21, al.; ὕπανδρος γ., Rom.7:2; γ. χήρα, Luk.4:26; in vocat., γύναι implies neither reproof nor severity, but is used frequently as a term of respect and endearment, Mat.15:28, Jhn.2:4, 4:21 19:26. __2. a wife: Mat.1:20, 1Co.7:3, 4 al.; γ. ἀπολύειν, Mrk.10:2, al.; γ. ἔχειν Mrk.6:18; γ. λαβεῖν, Mrk.12:19; γ. γαμεῖν, Luk.14:20. __3. a deaconess, 1Ti.3:11 (CGT, in l.). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 200 NT verses. KJV: wife, woman See also: 1 Corinthians 5:1; Luke 4:26; 1 Peter 3:1.

Study Notes — Acts 16:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Acts 16:13 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Acts 16:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 16:13
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 16:13
Trapp's Commentary on Acts 16:13
Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 16:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 16:13
Cambridge Bible on Acts 16:13
Barnes' Notes on Acts 16:13
Whedon's Commentary on Acts 16:13
Sermons on Acts 16:13

Context — Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

11We sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace, and the following day on to Neapolis. 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 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.

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. 15And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Acts 13:14	And from Perga, they traveled inland to Pisidian Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down.
2	Colossians 1:23	if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
3	Acts 17:2	As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
4	Galatians 3:28	There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
5	Acts 21:5	But 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.
6	Acts 16:6	After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.
7	Acts 20:7	On 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.
8	Matthew 13:2	Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while all the people stood on the shore.
9	Acts 18:4	Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.
10	Luke 4:20–21	Then He rolled up the scroll, returned it to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him, and He began by saying, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Acts 16:13 Summary

[This verse tells us that on the Sabbath, the apostles went outside the city gate to a place where people usually gathered to pray, as was the custom for Jewish people, similar to what is described in Leviticus 23:3. They sat down and spoke to the women who were there, including a woman named Lydia, who was a worshiper of God, as mentioned in Acts 16:14. This shows us the importance of taking initiative to share the gospel with others, as seen in Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples of all nations. By going to where people were already gathered, the apostles were able to reach out to them with the message of God's love and redemption.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What day of the week did the apostles go outside the city gate to find a place of prayer?

The apostles went outside the city gate on the Sabbath, as it is written in Acts 16:13, to find a place of prayer, which was a customary practice for the Jewish people, as seen in Leviticus 23:3.

Why did the apostles go to the river to find a place of prayer?

The apostles went to the river because it was customary to find a place of prayer there, possibly due to the presence of a synagogue or a gathering place for Jewish people, similar to what is described in Ezekiel 1:1, where the prophet Ezekiel had a vision by the Kebar River.

Who was present when the apostles spoke at the place of prayer?

The apostles spoke to the women who had gathered at the place of prayer, including a woman named Lydia, who was a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, as mentioned in Acts 16:14.

What can we learn from the apostles' actions in this verse?

We can learn the importance of taking initiative to share the gospel with others, as seen in Acts 16:13, and being obedient to God's calling, as demonstrated by the apostles' willingness to go outside the city gate to find a place of prayer, which is in line with Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples of all nations.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can take initiative to share the gospel with others in my community, just like the apostles did in Acts 16:13?
How can I create opportunities to speak to others about God's love and redemption, as the apostles did when they spoke to the women at the place of prayer?
What are some customary practices in my culture or community that I can use as a way to share the gospel with others, similar to how the apostles used the customary place of prayer by the river?
How can I be more intentional about seeking out opportunities to share the gospel with those around me, just as the apostles did when they went outside the city gate to find a place of prayer?

Gill's Exposition on Acts 16:13

And on the sabbath,.... That is, as the Syriac version renders it, "on the sabbath day"; the Jewish sabbath, the seventh day of the week; though the words may be rendered, "on a certain day of the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 16:13

In those places where there were not enough to build a synagogue, or could not obtain leave to do it, the Jews in those countries chose more private places to meet in, which usually were near rivers, or by the seaside, removed from the noise and observance of the multitude; and these places were called proseucai, from the prayers which were usually made there; and to one of these Paul and the rest went, taking that occasion to meet with them whom they might preach the word of life unto. The women are here named, as being more numerous in those oratories, or such as most willingly heard and attended unto what was spoken.

Trapp's Commentary on Acts 16:13

12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 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. Ver. 13. And on the sabbath] A day that God had sanctified to be a means to convey sanctity into the hearts of his hidden ones, as here of Lydia the purpurisse, Ezekiel 20:12. It is his exchequer day, his market day. Where prayer was wont to be made] Or where was a public oratory. So the synagogues are called by Philo in his embassy to Gaius the emperor, minus invidioso nomine. Unto the women which resorted] St Paul (it may seem) at first had no other hearers but a few women at Philippi. But afterwards they became a flourishing Church. Nec minor ab exordio, nec maior incrementis ulla, saith Eutropius concerning Rome; so may we say concerning the Church of Christ. A kind of red or purple colouring matter, used by the ancients. ŒD

Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 16:13

(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 quâ te quæro, proseuchâ?” [“Say where thou dwell’st, and in what place of prayer I am to seek thee?”] The oratories, or proseuchæ, 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. We sat down, and spake unto the women.—The fact that there were only women shows the almost entire absence of a Jewish population. Possibly, too, the decree of Claudius, expelling the Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2), was enforced, as stated above, in the colonia, which was as a part of Rome, and as Jewesses would not be likely to have settled there without their husbands or brothers, it is probable that the women whom St. Paul found assembled were, like Lydia, proselytes who desired to remain faithful to their new faith, even in the absence of any settled provision for their instruction. Women thus placed would naturally welcome the presence of strangers who, probably, wore the garb of a Rabbi, and who showed when they sat down (see Note on Acts 13:14) that they were about to preach. We note that here also the narrator speaks of himself as teaching. (See Note on Acts 16:10.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 16:13

Verse 13. By a river side, where prayer was wont to be made] ουΟὑενομιζετοπροσευχηειναι, where it was said there was a proseucha. The proseucha was a place of prayer, or a place used for worship, where there was no synagogue. It was a large building uncovered, with seats, as in an amphitheatre. Buildings of this sort the Jews had by the sea side, and by the sides of rivers. See this subject considered at large in Clarke's note on "Lu 6:12". It appears that the apostles had heard from some of the Gentiles, or from some of the Jews themselves, that there was a place of prayer by the river side; and they went out in quest of it, knowing that, as it was the Sabbath, they should find some Jews there. Spake unto the women] Probably this was before the time of their public worship, and while they were waiting for the assembling of the people in general; and Paul improved the opportunity to speak concerning Christ and salvation to the women that resorted thither.

Cambridge Bible on Acts 16:13

13–34. Preaching on the Sabbath at Philippi. Conversion and baptism of Lydia. A spirit of divination cast out by Paul. Anger of those who made gain thereby. Paul and Silas are seized, brought before the authorities, scourged and imprisoned, but the prison doors are opened by a miracle. Conversion and baptism of the jailor and his household13. where prayer was wont to be made] Proseuche here and in Acts 16:16 is the place of prayer, and, adopting the reading now most accepted, the English would be “where we supposed there was a place of prayer.” (So R. V.) The Jews had such proseuchai sometimes in buildings, sometimes in the open air, as was the case in this instance. The word is found in this sense in Josephus, De vita sua, 54. They are described by Philo (ed. Mang.) ii. 282. They were very numerous in Rome (see Mayor, Juvenal, iii. 296). Because of Jewish ceremonial washings they were, when in the open air, as often as might be, near a river-side or on the sea-shore. Cp. Ezra 8:15; Ezra 8:21. And no doubt the language of Psa 137:1, “By the rivers of Babylon we sat down” applies to a similar state of things.we sat down] The attitude adopted by Jewish teachers.unto the women which resorted thither] Better (as R. V.), “which were come together.” The Greek refers to those gathered together on this particular occasion only. Considering the little regard which the Jews had for women as persons to be conversed with and taught, it is noteworthy how large a part women play both in the Gospel History and in the Acts. It was one effect of Christianity to place woman in her true position.

Barnes' Notes on Acts 16:13

And on the sabbath - There is no doubt that in this city there were Jews; In the time of the apostles they were scattered extensively throughout the known world. By a river side - What river this was is not known.

Whedon's Commentary on Acts 16:13

13. On the sabbath—It is not clear that this was the first Saturday-Sabbath after their arrival at Philippi. That depends on the number of the certain days of Act 16:12.

Sermons on Acts 16:13

	Sermon	Description
	A Call to Prayer by Michael L. Brown	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer in experiencing God's blessings and seeing Him move in our lives. He shares stories of persecuted workers who rely o
	The Spirit of the Lord 1 of 2 by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of obeying the Spirit of God. He refers to a vision that was seen and the certainty that God had called them. The speaker high
	Earthquaking the Way Into the Evangelisation of a Continent by Ian Paisley	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of the Jailer from the Bible. The Jailer was a hard and wicked man who took pleasure in the suffering of prisoners. However, one n
	K-475 Last Days Tumult by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining joy and praising God even in the midst of adversity. He uses the example of Paul and Silas in the book of Acts,
	The Continuing Work of Christ 04 Messages From the Acts by Robert Constable	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord and His plan, even when we don't understand the circumstances we are facing. The story of Paul's journ
	A Case of Conscience Resolved by John Bunyan	John Bunyan addresses the contentious issue of whether women in a church should separate from men to conduct their own prayer meetings. He argues against this practice, emphasizing
	We Can Take joy... by Tom Garner	Tom Garner preaches on the key verse in Philippians, highlighting Paul's circumstances of imprisonment and suffering, yet expressing confidence, joy, and amazement in God's grace.