What is a synagogue?

Answer

A synagogue is a Jewish building designed for worship, similar to a modern church building. While some Jewish traditions suggest synagogues have existed “since the time of Moses,” historical records indicate that the practice of gathering in synagogues began during Israel’s Babylonian captivity. At that time, the Jewish temple was inaccessible for worship, necessitating an alternate meeting place for dispersed Jews seeking to come together for prayer and communal worship.

By the era of Jesus and the New Testament, synagogues had become a common local institution. The New Testament references synagogues more than 60 times, often in relation to Jesus’ ministry and the apostles. On the Sabbath, local Jews would assemble for prayer and Scripture reading. On one occasion, Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah during a synagogue gathering. Luke 4:16-21 recounts:

“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Many synagogue practices can be observed in these verses. Firstly, the gathering occurred on the Sabbath (Saturday). Secondly, Jesus stood to read. Thirdly, He read from a scroll. Even today, scrolls are present in synagogues and are utilized for weekly readings.

In addition, see Acts 15:21. After finishing His reading, Jesus sat down to teach, following another synagogue tradition.

Paul and the other apostles utilized the synagogue as a starting point for missionary endeavors. Upon reaching a new community, Paul would visit the synagogue and request to speak. He certainly had the qualifications to open many doors “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, just as you all are today.”, (Acts 22:3). He would then introduce Jesus as the Messiah and commence his local outreach. This sometimes led to numerous individuals believing in Jesus. Acts 14:1 recounts, “Now at Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of both Jews and Greeks believed.” On one occasion, a synagogue leader was baptized “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.”, (Acts 18:8). However, Paul’s practice of teaching in the synagogue sometimes resulted in significant persecution.

Historically, the synagogue has remained a crucial element in the practice of Judaism. Following the destruction of the Jewish temple in A.D. 70, worship could no longer be conducted in the temple, making the synagogue the primary place of worship.

The synagogue has been a significant institution in Judaism and early Christianity. Its significance during the time of Jesus and the apostles offered one of the primary means through which the gospel spread in the early years of the church.