What is a synagogue?

TL;DR:

A synagogue is the Jewish center for worship, learning, and community, likely emerging during Judah’s exile in Babylon. Like a church for Christians, a synagogue serves as a place to pray, study Scripture, and gather with others in faith.

what does the bible say?

Synagogues are Jewish places of worship and centers of Jewish community. Synagogues likely came into use during Israel's Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 39:5-7; Habakkuk 1:5-11), although Jewish tradition claims its use as early as the time of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:10-12). Scholars agree that synagogues were common at least before Roman captivity and the destruction of the temple. The New Testament contains many references to synagogues, such as when Jesus chose a synagogue to assert Himself as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Luke 4:16-21). Synagogues were places of instruction in the Hebrew Scriptures (Mark 1:21-22; Luke 13:10; Acts 18:4), worship (Matthew 6:5), and judgment (Mark 13:9). Today, the synagogue is still the center of Jewish religion and community. Jews hold services on the Sabbath, they have classes on Torah and Talmud, and the Jewish community gathers there for prayer, festivals, and celebrations. The Christian equivalent is church, which all Christians are exhorted to attend (Hebrews 10:25).

from the old testament

Isaiah prophesied about Judah’s Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 39:5-7), and the first six chapters of Daniel are set during that period. Synagogues likely came into use during that period of captivity, although there is some debate about that.

from the new testament

We can glean from Luke 4:16-21 that the typical Sabbath in the synagogue entailed reading Scripture. This is what Jesus does: “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” (Luke 4:16). After reading the messianic prophecy in Isaiah 61:1-2, Jesus sits down and says, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).
The synagogue is a place of prayer, a place of instruction in the Jewish Scriptures, and a place of judgment by the Jewish court (Mark 13:9).
The early church used the synagogues as a launching point for missions when they went to a new city. Acts 17:2 explains, "Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures."

implications for today

From the Agora of ancient Greece to the Taverns of Shakespeare’s day to the malls of the 1980s, gathering places have always been part of the human experience. We want to be where other people are. Synagogues are like that, too, but with the added element of worship. Scholars believe that synagogues came into use during Judah’s Babylonian exile and were common at least before Roman captivity and the destruction of the temple in AD 70. They were places of teaching and learning, worship and prayer. And unlike the 80s malls, synagogues are still prevalent today.

The early church used synagogues as part of their mission to witness to Jews about Jesus. The church building today is where believers gather to worship and fellowship. Scripture tells us that such gatherings are important (Hebrews 10:25).

We can imagine Judeans during Babylonian exile being grateful to gather among others who worshiped the true God. Christians today should have this attitude about attending church. It shouldn’t be a dreaded obligation nor a guilt-driven attempt to “be good.” Instead, we should view it as an opportunity to worship God and encourage fellow believers and ourselves.

understand

Synagogues are Jewish centers for worship, study, and community.
Synagogues originated around Judah’s Babylonian exile and served prayer, teaching, and judgment.
Early Christians used synagogues for ministry; today, they remain central to Jewish life.

reflect

How do you approach your church as a center for learning, prayer, and community?
How does gathering with other believers encourage and strengthen your faith?
How can you make your participation in church more intentional, not just routine, like the Jews in the synagogue?

engage

How did synagogues shape Jewish community life during and after the Babylonian exile, and what can we learn from that?
How did the early church use synagogues as a platform for ministry, and how does that inform modern outreach?
How can understanding the synagogue’s role deepen our appreciation for the importance of gathering in Christian fellowship today?