Paul stood up (αναστας Παυλος). The Jewish custom was to sit while speaking (Luke 4:20), but the Greek and Roman was t…

Men of Israel. Jews. The purpose of Paul's discourse was to introduce to them the doctrine that Jesus was the Messiah. To do this, he demo…

Beckoning with his hand.—The gesture was more that of one who waves his hand to command silence and attention, rather tha…

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 …

When Jesus addressed the congregation at Nazareth, he read the lesson standing and then sat down to speak (cf. Lk 4:16, 20). Luke, however, portray…

We must note the state of this sermon, so that we do not think that he spoke words in vain. Paul seems, indeed, to begin even at the very first beg…

Then Paul stood up
Not so much that he might be heard; or merely out of reverence and respect to the rulers, and the…

When we come together to worship God, we must do so not only through prayer and praise, but also by reading and hearing the word of God. Merely rea…