Acts 16:13

Preaching on the Sabbath at Philippi. Conversion and baptism of Lydia. A spirit of divination cast out by Paul. Anger of those who made gain thereby. Paul and Silas are seized, brought before the authorities, scourged and imprisoned, but the prison doors are opened by a miracle. Conversion and baptism of the jailor and his household

13. where prayer was wont to be made Proseuchehere and in Acts 16:16 is the place of prayer, and, adopting the reading now most accepted, the English would be "where we supposed there was a place of prayer." (So R. V.) The Jews had such proseuchaisometimes in buildings, sometimes in the open air, as was the case in this instance. The word is found in this sense in Josephus, De vita sua, 54. They are described by Philo (ed. Mang.) ii. 282. They were very numerous in Rome (see Mayor, Juvenal, iii. 296). Because of Jewish ceremonial washings they were, when in the open air, as often as might be, near a river-side or on the sea-shore. Cp. Ezra 8:15; Ezra 8:21. And no doubt the language of Psalms 137:1, "By the rivers of Babylon we sat down" applies to a similar state of things.

we sat down The attitude adopted by Jewish teachers.

unto the women which resorted thither Better (as R. V.), "which were come together." The Greek refers to those gathered together on this particular occasion only. Considering the little regard which the Jews had for women as persons to be conversed with and taught, it is noteworthy how large a part women play both in the Gospel History and in the Acts. It was one effect of Christianity to place woman in her true position.