Acts 13:15
What does Acts 13:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:15 means
After the regular readings from the Law and the Prophets in the synagogue service, the leaders extended an invitation to Paul and Barnabas. This was a common practice, offering distinguished visitors the opportunity to share a 'word of exhortation'—a message or teaching—with the congregation. This invitation demonstrates the customary openness of the synagogue environment for discussion and teaching, providing Paul with a significant platform to present the gospel. It also indicates the leaders' recognition of Paul and Barnabas as learned Jews, capable of offering a valuable contribution to the service.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the Synagogue sent to them, saying, Brothers, if you have a word of comfort for the people, say on.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and after the reading of the law and of the prophets, the chief men of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, `Men, brethren, if there be a word in you of exhortation unto the people--say on.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying: Ye men, brethren, if you have any word of exhortation to make to the people, speak.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation to the people, speak.
Context
After Paul and Barnabas entered the synagogue on the Sabbath in Pisidian Antioch, as described in verse 14, this verse establishes the customary synagogue practice of inviting guest speakers. This invitation directly precedes and sets the immediate context for Paul's extensive sermon, which begins in verse 16. The synagogue rulers' request for a 'word of exhortation' provides Paul with the ideal opening to explain how Jesus Christ fulfills the Law and the Prophets, which they had just read.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:37
Now when they heardthis, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
- Luke 16:16
The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man entereth violently into it.
- Acts 2:29
Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day.
- Mark 5:22
And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jaïrus by name; and seeing him, he falleth at his feet,
- Acts 15:7
And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
- Acts 18:8
And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
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