Acts 16:13
New International Version
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

New Living Translation
On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there.

English Standard Version
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
And on the day of the Sabbaths, we went forth outside the city gate, by a river, where there was customary to be a place of prayer. And having sat down, we began speaking to the women having gathered.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.

New American Standard Bible
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were thinking that there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.

NASB 1995
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.

NASB 1977
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.

Legacy Standard Bible
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and sitting down, we began speaking to the women who had assembled.

Amplified Bible
and on the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the bank of the [Gangites] river, where we thought there would be a place of prayer, and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had come there.

Christian Standard Bible
On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Then on the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to a place by the river, where we thought there would be a Jewish meeting place for prayer. We sat down and talked with the women who came.

English Revised Version
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 which were come together.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
On the day of worship we went out of the city to a place along the river where we thought Jewish people gathered for prayer. We sat down and began talking to the women who had gathered there.

Good News Translation
On the Sabbath we went out of the city to the riverside, where we thought there would be a place where Jews gathered for prayer. We sat down and talked to the women who gathered there.

International Standard Version
On the Sabbath day, we went out the city gate and walked along the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and began talking to the women who had gathered there.

Majority Standard Bible
On the Sabbath we went outside the city 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.

NET Bible
On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the side of the river, where we thought there would be a place of prayer, and we sat down and began to speak to the women who had assembled there.

New Heart English Bible
On the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the gate 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
On the Sabbath we went beyond the city gate to the riverside, where we had reason to believe that there was a place for prayer; and sitting down we talked with the women who had come together.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
on the day of the Sabbaths we also 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,

Berean Literal Bible
And on the day of the Sabbaths, we went forth outside the city gate, by a river, where there was customary to be a place of prayer. And having sat down, we began speaking to the women having gathered.

Young's Literal Translation
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,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the day of the sabbaths we came out of the city by the river, where prayer was customary to be; and having sat down, we spake to the women come together.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

New American Bible
On the sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river where we thought there would be a place of prayer. We sat and spoke with the women who had gathered there.

New Revised Standard Version
On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And on the sabbath day we went outside the city gate to the river side because a house of prayer was seen there, and when we were seated, we spoke to the women who had gathered there.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And we departed on the Sabbath day outside the gate of the city on the riverside, because there was seen there a house of prayer, and when we sat, we were speaking with the women who had gathered there.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and on the sabbath-day we went out of the city to the side of a river, where, as usual, was the house of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.

Godbey New Testament
And on the Sabbath day we went out from the gate by the river, where we were accustomed that prayer should be, and having sat down, we spoke to the women having assembled.

Haweis New Testament
And on the sabbath-day we went forth out of the city to the river side, where an oratory was by custom established; and sitting down, we spoke to the women who there assembled.

Mace New Testament
we went out of town on the sabbath towards the river, where the Jews were allowed to have an oratory.

Weymouth New Testament
On the Sabbath we went beyond the city gate to the riverside, where we had reason to believe that there was a place for prayer; and sitting down we talked with the women who had come together.

Worrell New Testament
And, on the sabbath day, we went forth without the gate by a river, where we were supposing there was a place of prayer; and, sitting down, we were speaking to the women who had assembled together.

Worsley New Testament
And on the sabbath-day we went out of the city to a river-side, where there used to be prayer: and we sat down and preached to the women that resorted thither.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Lydia's Conversion in Philippi
12From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 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. 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.…

Cross References
Luke 4:16
Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read,

Acts 13:14
And from Perga, they traveled inland to Pisidian Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down.

Acts 17:2
As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

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.

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.

Mark 1:21
Then Jesus and His companions went to Capernaum, and right away Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.

Luke 6:12
In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.

John 4:20-24
Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.” / “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ...

Matthew 5:1
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him,

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.

Psalm 122:1
A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Psalm 42:4
These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise.

Psalm 55:14
We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Isaiah 66:23
From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:19-27
This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and stand at the gate of the people, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; and stand at all the other gates of Jerusalem. / Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates. / This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. ...


Treasury of Scripture

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 which resorted thither.

on.

Acts 13:14,42
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down…

Acts 17:2
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Acts 18:4
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

sabbath.

Luke 13:10
And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

and we.

Acts 16:6
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,

Acts 21:5
And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

Matthew 5:1,2
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: …

spake.

Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

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.

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;

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Believe City Custom Expected Find Forth Gate Gathered Idea Outside Prayer Reason Resorted River Riverside Sabbath Sat Seated Side Sitting Speaking Supposed Thither Together Women Wont
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Believe City Custom Expected Find Forth Gate Gathered Idea Outside Prayer Reason Resorted River Riverside Sabbath Sat Seated Side Sitting Speaking Supposed Thither Together Women Wont
Acts 16
1. Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,
7. and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,
14. convert Lydia,
16. and cast out a spirit of divination;
19. for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.
25. The prison doors are opened.
31. The jailor is converted,
35. and they are delivered.














On the Sabbath
The Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, is rooted in the Jewish tradition as commanded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). The Greek word for Sabbath, "sabbaton," reflects a period of rest and spiritual reflection. In the context of Acts, the Sabbath signifies a time when Paul and his companions sought to engage with those who were spiritually inclined, respecting the Jewish custom of setting aside this day for worship and teaching.

we went outside the city gate
The phrase "outside the city gate" indicates a movement beyond the urban confines, suggesting a search for a quieter, more contemplative setting. In ancient cities, gates were not only entry points but also places of commerce and judgment. By moving outside, Paul and his companions sought a place less influenced by the hustle and bustle of city life, conducive to prayer and teaching.

along the river
Rivers in biblical times were often associated with life, sustenance, and purification. The choice of a riverside location for prayer may reflect the Jewish practice of ritual washing or mikveh, which required living water. This setting also symbolizes a natural, God-created environment, contrasting with man-made structures, and provides a serene backdrop for spiritual gatherings.

where it was customary to find a place of prayer
The phrase "customary to find a place of prayer" suggests an established tradition or practice. In cities without a synagogue, Jews and God-fearers often gathered in open spaces for prayer. The Greek word "proseuchē" refers to a place of prayer, indicating a designated area for worship and community gathering, highlighting the continuity of Jewish worship practices even in diaspora settings.

After sitting down
"Sitting down" reflects a posture of teaching and learning in Jewish tradition. In rabbinic culture, teachers often sat while instructing their disciples, a practice mirrored by Jesus in the Gospels. This posture indicates readiness to engage in meaningful dialogue and instruction, emphasizing the importance of the message being shared.

we spoke to the women who had gathered there
The mention of "women who had gathered" highlights the inclusive nature of the early Christian mission. In a patriarchal society, the intentional engagement with women underscores the breaking of social barriers and the universal reach of the Gospel. The Greek term "synelthousai" (gathered) implies a purposeful assembly, suggesting these women were seekers of truth and participants in religious life.

(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 qua te quaero, proseucha?"

["Say where thou dwell'st, and in what place of prayer

I am to seek thee?"]

The oratories, or proseuchae, 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. . . .

Verse 13. - Sabbath day for sabbath, A.V.; we went forth without the gate for we went out of the city, A.V. and T.R. (πύλης for πολέως); we supposed there Was a place of prayer for prayer was wont to be made, A.V.; were come together for resorted thither, A.V. By a river side. By the river side is the natural way of expressing it in English. The river is not the Strymon, which is a day's journey distant from Philippi, but probably a small stream called the Gangas or Gangites, which is crossed by the Via Eguatia, about a mile out of Philippi. The neighborhood of water, either near a stream or on the seashore, was usually preferred by the Jews as a place for prayer, as affording facility for ablutions (see Josephus, 'Ant. Jud.,' 14:10, 23; and other passages quoted by Alford). The phrase, οϋ ἐνομίζετο προσευχὴ εῖναι, should be rendered, not as in the R.V., but more nearly as the A.V., where a prayer-meeting(of the Jews) was accustomed to be held; i.e. this particular spot was the usual place where such Jews or proselytes as happened to be at Philippi met for prayer. It also appears from Epiphanius (' Hear.,' 80, § 1, quoted by Alford) that the Jews usually had their προσευχαί, whether buildings, or open spaces, ἔξω πολέως, outside the city. The wayside crosses are of the nature of προσευχαί.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
On the
Τῇ (Tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Sabbath
σαββάτων (sabbatōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week.

we went
ἐξήλθομεν (exēlthomen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

outside
ἔξω (exō)
Preposition
Strong's 1854: Without, outside. Adverb from ek; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

city gate
πύλης (pylēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4439: A gate. Apparently a primary word; a gate, i.e. The leaf or wing of a folding entrance.

along
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

[the] river,
ποταμὸν (potamon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4215: A river, torrent, stream. Probably from a derivative of the alternate of pino; a current, brook or freshet, i.e. Running water.

where [it]
οὗ (hou)
Adverb
Strong's 3757: Where, whither, when, in what place. Genitive case of hos as adverb; at which place, i.e. Where.

was customary
ἐνομίζομεν (enomizomen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3543: From nomos; properly, to do by law, i.e. To accustom; by extension, to deem or regard.

to find
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

[a place of] prayer.
προσευχὴν (proseuchēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4335: From proseuchomai; prayer; by implication, an oratory.

[After]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

sitting down,
καθίσαντες (kathisantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2523: Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle.

we spoke
ἐλαλοῦμεν (elaloumen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

to the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

women
γυναιξίν (gynaixin)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

who had gathered [there].
συνελθούσαις (synelthousais)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4905: From sun and erchomai; to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or, cohabit.


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NT Apostles: Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath day we went forth (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 16:12
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