Acts 13:14-15
but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Their deliberate act of "sitting down" in the synagogue wasn't merely passive attendance. It was a recognized posture of those who were invited or expected to teach, signaling their readiness to engage and, as the next verse reveals, speak.
Having just been commissioned by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas set out from Perga to the Roman colony of Antioch in Pisidia, a significant city in Asia Minor. On the Sabbath, they entered the local synagogue, taking their seats in anticipation, a customary practice for those preparing to speak or teach.
Paul and Barnabas arrive in Antioch, a significant Roman city. Where did they go first, and why was it the perfect place to begin their ministry?
After departing from Perga, Paul and Barnabas journeyed to Antioch in Pisidia. This city was a major Roman colony in Asia Minor, strategically located and boasting a considerable Jewish population.
When Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue, they 'sat down.' What did this simple action signify, and how did it set the stage for what was to come?
The act of 'sitting down' in the synagogue on the Sabbath was more than just finding a seat. It carried significant implications within the synagogue's customs:
Understand the original words
shabbat · Hebrew Noun
The seventh day of the week, set apart by God in the Mosaic Law as a day of rest, cessation from labor, and corporate worship for the covenant people of Israel.
synagōgē · Greek Noun
A gathering place for Jews to pray, read the Scriptures, and hear them explained. It became the central institution for Jewish communal life and religious instruction in the Diaspora.
Torah · Hebrew Noun
The foundational revelation given to Moses (the Torah), constituting the moral and civil framework for Israel, which also serves to reveal the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity.
nābî' · Hebrew Noun
Inspired messengers of God who spoke on His behalf to Israel. Their writings foretold future events, rebuked sin, called for repentance, and pointed toward the coming Messiah.
Arriving in Antioch of Pisidia, a Roman colony with a notable Jewish population, Paul and Barnabas immediately sought out the local synagogue. This was strategic: by entering the synagogue on the Sabbath, they honored Jewish custom while positioning themselves to preach the Gospel first to the Jewish people, as was their consistent practice.
c. AD 46
Paul and Barnabas Commissioned
The Holy Spirit directs the church at Antioch to set apart Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for missionary work, marking the beginning of their first major evangelistic journey.
c. AD 47
Journey to Cyprus and Perga
Barnabas and Paul travel to Cyprus, then to Perga on the mainland of Asia Minor, where John Mark departs from them.
c. AD 47— this verse
Arrival in Antioch of Pisidia
After leaving Perga, Paul and Barnabas arrive in Antioch, a significant Roman colony in the region of Pisidia.
c. AD 47
Sermon in the Pisidian Synagogue
On the Sabbath, they enter the synagogue and Paul delivers a powerful sermon, outlining salvation history and proclaiming Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises.
This passage shows Jesus himself following the same pattern of going into the synagogue on the Sabbath day to read from the Scriptures, highlighting the customary practice that Paul and Barnabas were observing.
Acts 17:2This verse describes Paul reasoning with the Jews in the synagogue for three Sabbath days, demonstrating that entering the synagogue was a consistent strategy for sharing the gospel with Jewish communities.
Romans 1:16Paul's declaration that he is not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation 'to the Jew first and also to the Greek,' directly explains his repeated practice of seeking out Jewish synagogues first.
Acts 14:1This verse immediately follows the account of their ministry in Antioch of Pisidia, showing that they continued to enter the Jewish synagogue in the next city as well, indicating this was their established method.
ellicottActs 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."
(14) They came to Antioch in Pisidia. —The town was one of the many cities built by Seleucus Nicator, and named after his father, Antiochus. It lay on the slopes of Mount Taurus, which the travelers must have crossed, had obtained the “Jus Italicum”—a modified form of Roman citizenship—under Augustus, and had attracted, as the sequel shows, a considerab…
barnesActs 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."
They came to Antioch in Pisidia - Pisidia was a province of Asia Minor, and was situated north of Pamphylia. Antioch was not in Pisidia, but within the limits of Phrygia; but it belonged to Pisadia, and was called Antioch of Pisidia to distinguish it from Antioch in Syria - Pliny, Nat. Hist., 5, 27; Strabo, 12, p. 577 (Kuinoel; Robinson's Calmet). The c…
Their deliberate act of "sitting down" in the synagogue wasn't merely passive attendance. It was a recognized posture of those who were invited or expected to teach, signaling their readiness to engage and, as the next verse reveals, speak.
Having just been commissioned by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas set out from Perga to the Roman colony of Antioch in Pisidia, a significant city in Asia Minor. On the Sabbath, they entered the local synagogue, taking their seats in anticipation, a customary practice for those preparing to speak or teach.
Having just been commissioned by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas set out from Perga to the Roman colony of Antioch in Pisidia, a significant city in Asia Minor. On the Sabbath, they entered the local synagogue, taking their seats in anticipation, a customary practice for those preparing to speak or teach.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Acts 13:14-15 is available in the Sola app.
paraklēsis · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, it refers to a word of exhortation, comfort, or strengthening that calls believers to act upon the truth of the gospel. It is the application of God's Word to encourage faith and godliness.
c. AD 47
Jewish Opposition and Departure
Following initial success, the Jewish leaders stir up opposition, leading Paul and Barnabas to be expelled from the city and travel to Iconium.
"but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Bro…" — Their deliberate act of "sitting down" in the synagogue wasn't merely passive attendance. It was a recognized posture of those who were invited or expected to teach, signaling their readiness to enga…
