Acts 13:15
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
μετὰ
after
G3326
μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
1 of 27
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
of the law
G3551
νόμου
of the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
6 of 27
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφητῶν
the prophets
G4396
προφητῶν
the prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
9 of 27
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
ἀπέστειλαν
sent
G649
ἀπέστειλαν
sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
10 of 27
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχισυνάγωγοι
the rulers of the synagogue
G752
ἀρχισυνάγωγοι
the rulers of the synagogue
Strong's:
G752
Word #:
12 of 27
director of the synagogue services
πρὸς
for
G4314
πρὸς
for
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 27
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγετε
say on
G3004
λέγετε
say on
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
15 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἀδελφοί
and brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
and brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
17 of 27
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἐστιν
ye have
G2076
ἐστιν
ye have
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
19 of 27
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
λόγος
any word
G3056
λόγος
any word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
20 of 27
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
πρὸς
for
G4314
πρὸς
for
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
24 of 27
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Hebrews 13:22And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.Acts 15:21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.Mark 5:22And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,Acts 22:1Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.Acts 18:17Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.Acts 13:27For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.Romans 12:8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Historical Context
First-century synagogue worship maintained continuity with Second Temple Judaism while adapting to diaspora contexts. The invitation to visiting teachers reflected Judaism's high regard for Torah exposition and expectation that learned visitors would contribute insight. Synagogue rulers (ἀρχισυνάγωγοι, archisynagōgoi) managed worship order and extended speaking invitations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the structured progression from Scripture reading to exposition model sound preaching methodology today?
- What does the phrase 'word of exhortation' teach about preaching's purpose—not merely informing but calling people to respond?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
After the reading of the law and the prophets (μετὰ δὲ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τοῦ νόμου καὶ τῶν προφητῶν, meta de tēn anagnōsin tou nomou kai tōn prophētōn)—synagogue worship followed prescribed liturgy: the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), prayers, Torah reading (continuous lectionary), prophetic reading (haftarah), and exposition. Paul's opportunity came during the exposition portion, after Scripture had been publicly read. The law and prophets encompassed Israel's entire canonical Scripture, providing Paul's textual foundation for preaching Christ.
Word of exhortation (λόγος παρακλήσεως, logos paraklēseōs)—the technical term for synagogue exposition/homily. The noun παρακλήσεως (paraklēseōs, from παρακαλέω, 'to come alongside, encourage, exhort') indicates more than information-transfer: authoritative application calling for response. Paul's sermon (vv. 16-41) demonstrates apostolic παρακλήσεως—rehearsing salvation history, declaring Christ's fulfillment, calling for faith-response.