Definition and Origin
The term "synagogue" is derived from the Greek word "synagōgē," meaning "assembly" or "gathering." In the context of Jewish tradition, a synagogue is a place where Jews gather for worship, prayer, study, and community activities. The origins of synagogues are not explicitly detailed in the Old Testament, but they are believed to have developed during the Babylonian Exile (6th century BC) when the Jewish people were separated from the Temple in Jerusalem. This period necessitated a new form of communal worship and study, leading to the establishment of synagogues as local centers of religious life.

Biblical References
While the Old Testament does not mention synagogues directly, the New Testament provides several references to them, indicating their established presence by the time of Jesus. Synagogues served as important venues for teaching and community gatherings.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is described as teaching in synagogues: "And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by everyone" (Luke 4:15). This highlights the synagogue's role as a place of instruction and worship.

The Book of Acts also records the Apostle Paul's custom of visiting synagogues to preach the Gospel: "As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures" (Acts 17:2). This practice underscores the synagogue's function as a center for scriptural discussion and debate.

Structure and Function
Synagogues in the first century typically included several key architectural and functional elements. They often contained a main hall for prayer and teaching, a platform or "bema" for reading the Torah, and a storage area for sacred scrolls. The synagogue served multiple roles: it was a house of prayer (Beit Tefillah), a house of study (Beit Midrash), and a community center.

The synagogue service included the reading of the Torah and the Prophets, prayers, and a sermon or teaching. This structure is reflected in the account of Jesus reading from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth: "The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written..." (Luke 4:17).

Role in Jewish and Early Christian Communities
For Jewish communities, synagogues were central to religious life, especially after the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70. They provided a place for communal worship, education, and social interaction. The synagogue's emphasis on the study of the Torah and the Prophets helped preserve Jewish religious identity and practice through the centuries.

In the early Christian context, synagogues were significant as initial venues for the spread of the Gospel. The New Testament records that both Jesus and the apostles frequently engaged with Jewish audiences in synagogues, using these gatherings to proclaim the message of Christ. This interaction often led to both acceptance and opposition, as seen in various accounts in the Acts of the Apostles.

Cultural and Religious Significance
Synagogues continue to hold profound cultural and religious significance within Judaism. They are not only places of worship but also centers for community life, education, and social justice. The synagogue's enduring presence reflects its foundational role in maintaining Jewish faith and tradition throughout history.

In summary, synagogues have played a crucial role in Jewish religious life from ancient times to the present, serving as places of worship, study, and community. Their mention in the New Testament highlights their importance in the religious landscape of the time and their influence on the early Christian movement.

Answer to Mr. W's Fourth Objection.
... And there came (says St. Mark) from the ruler of the synagogue's house, certain
which said, Thy daughter is dead, why troublest thou the Master any farther? ...
/.../section iv answer to mr.htm

Talitha Cumi
... TALITHA CUMI. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue,
Jairus by name; and when he saw Him, he fell at His feet, 23. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/talitha cumi.htm

With Jairus
... And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing
Him, he falleth at His feet, and beseecheth Him much, saying, My little ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 5 21-43 with jairus.htm

The Dying Child and the Suffering Woman.
... And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing
him, he falleth at his feet, and beseecheth him much, saying, "My little ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the dying child and the.htm

Lord of Life and Love
... And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and
when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying: ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter v lord of life.htm

Jairus' Daughter and the Invalid Woman.
... table], behold, there came, { ^b cometh} ^ca man named Jairus, { ^b Jairus by name;}
^c and he was a ruler { ^b one of the rulers} of the synagogue [He was one ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lviii jairus daughter and the.htm

John Chapter xi. Jan-54
... body, have some figurative significance of that resurrection of the soul which is
effected by faith: He raised up the ruler of the synagogue's daughter, while ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlix john chapter xi.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... Such was the first canon given to the Jewish Church after its reconstruction"
ready for temple service as well as synagogue use. ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

How one Even of those who are Without May be Brought to Believe ...
... For having set out on His way to the ruler of the synagogue's daughter, he voluntarily
made a halt in His way, while making public the secret cure of the woman ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xxv how one even of.htm

Answer to Mr. W's First Objection.
... Having related a cure, in a synagogue, of a man which had spirit of an unclean devil,
and of Simon's wife's mother, he adds: Now when the sun was setting, all ...
/.../section 1 answer to mr.htm

Synagogue's (2 Occurrences)
...Synagogue's (2 Occurrences). ... Luke 8:49 While he still spoke, one from the ruler of
the synagogue's house came, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. ...
/s/synagogue's.htm - 7k

Died (348 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:35 While he was yet speaking, they come from the ruler of the synagogue's
house, saying, Thy daughter has died, why troublest thou the teacher any ...
/d/died.htm - 34k

Trouble (477 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house
certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any ...
/t/trouble.htm - 36k

Spake (704 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house
certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any ...
/s/spake.htm - 33k

Harass (14 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:35 As he is yet speaking, there come from the chief of the synagogue's 'house,
certain', saying -- 'Thy daughter did die, why still dost thou harass the ...
/h/harass.htm - 10k

Synagogues (27 Occurrences)

/s/synagogues.htm - 14k

Yet (1244 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house
certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any ...
/y/yet.htm - 35k

Master (346 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house
certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any ...
/m/master.htm - 40k

Official (45 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:35 While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler's house
saying, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?" (See NAS). ...
/o/official.htm - 20k

Jairus (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A ruler of the synagogue at Capernaum, whose only
daughter Jesus restored to life (Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41). ...
/j/jairus.htm - 10k

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