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Synagogue

What was the Synagogue?

The word “synagogue” (Greek: συναγωγή, synagōgē) literally means “a gathering” or “assembly.” In biblical usage, it came to refer specifically to the place of assembly for Jewish worship, instruction, and community affairs, especially during the Second Temple period and into the New Testament era. The synagogue was not a temple substitute but functioned as a center for teaching the Law, prayer, and fellowship—particularly important for Jews living outside Jerusalem.

In Acts 6:9, we read about the “Synagogue of the Freedmen”, which played a crucial role in the events leading to the martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian to die for his faith. This synagogue was composed of Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia—representing a broad diaspora Jewish community. These men began to argue with Stephen, but were unable to stand against the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke. Their opposition eventually led to Stephen’s arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin.

Biblical References and Cross-References

The synagogue appears regularly in the Gospels and Acts as the main location for public teaching and religious interaction between Jews and, later, early Christians.

The Synagogue of the Freedmen: Historical and Narrative Context

The Synagogue of the Freedmen in Acts 6 was likely composed of Jews who had once been enslaved (perhaps by the Romans) and had since been emancipated. These freedmen—also called libertini in Latin—retained their Jewish identity and formed distinct synagogue communities in Jerusalem. Their background made them especially zealous for the Law and Temple, which may explain their heated opposition to Stephen’s preaching about Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law.

These individuals engaged Stephen in debate, but when they couldn’t refute him, they resorted to false accusations—a pattern reminiscent of how Jesus was treated before His crucifixion (cf. Matthew 26:59-60). They accused Stephen of blasphemy against Moses and God, and of speaking against the Temple and the Law. This sparked his trial before the Sanhedrin and ultimately led to his stoning (Acts 7).

What It Means for Today’s Christians

The synagogue in Acts 6 symbolizes more than a place—it represents religious authority, cultural identity, and opposition to the gospel when threatened by the truth of Christ. Stephen’s boldness before the Synagogue of the Freedmen serves as a model for Christian witness: unafraid, Spirit-filled, and grounded in the Word.

For Christians today, the synagogue scene warns against legalistic religion that resists the transformative message of Jesus. It challenges believers to speak truth even when faced with hostility, knowing that faithfulness may carry a cost. Stephen’s confrontation with the synagogue also shows that biblical truth is not always welcome in religious settings—even those that revere the Scriptures—when it exposes the heart’s resistance to the gospel.

How the Synagogue Points to Jesus and the Gospel

Jesus often taught in synagogues (e.g., Luke 4:16-21, Matthew 4:23), revealing Himself as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Yet, His message was frequently rejected in these very places. The synagogue, therefore, becomes a symbol of both opportunity and rejection—where the gospel is proclaimed, and where it may be opposed.

Stephen, like Jesus, was rejected by synagogue leaders. His trial before the Sanhedrin mirrored Jesus’ own unjust trial, and his martyrdom made him a Christlike witness (the Greek word martys means “witness”). In both cases, the synagogue leadership clung to tradition while missing the Messiah standing before them.

Yet out of this rejection came gospel advance. Paul would later enter synagogues across the Roman world to preach Jesus, often finding resistance but also planting seeds of faith. In this way, synagogues served as the staging ground for the gospel’s spread to the Gentiles.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. Witness and Persecution

The synagogue in Acts 6 highlights the pattern of faithful witness followed by persecution. This is echoed throughout Acts (e.g., Paul’s imprisonments), and anticipated by Jesus in Matthew 10:17: “Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.”

2. Law and Grace

The synagogue represents a Judaism centered on the Law. Stephen’s message—and later, Paul’s teaching—demonstrated that righteousness comes not through the Law but through grace in Christ (cf. Galatians 2:16).

3. Fulfillment of the Scriptures

Jesus and the apostles taught in synagogues to show that the Scriptures pointed to Him (cf. Luke 24:27). The rejection of this truth in Acts 6 reveals a hardened heart, unwilling to receive the promised Messiah.

4. God’s Presence Beyond the Temple

Stephen’s defense before the Sanhedrin emphasized that God’s presence is not confined to the Temple or synagogue. This was a revolutionary idea that pointed toward the indwelling Holy Spirit in believers (cf. Acts 7:48-50, 1 Corinthians 3:16).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Stephen’s confrontation with the Synagogue of the Freedmen teach us about boldness in sharing the gospel?

  2. How can religious tradition become a barrier to recognizing God’s truth?

  3. In what ways do we see the same resistance to gospel truth today, even within religious institutions?

  4. How does the example of Jesus and Stephen encourage us when we face hostility for our faith?

  5. What does the shift from synagogue-centered worship to Spirit-filled community life in Acts mean for how we understand the church today?

The synagogue was once the heart of Jewish religious life, but in Acts 6, it became a battleground between the old covenant centered on the Law and the new covenant centered on Jesus Christ. Though it resisted the truth, the gospel could not be silenced. Instead, God used even opposition in the synagogue to advance His plan of salvation to the ends of the earth.

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