When Mary Went to the Synagogue

Wayne Galloway
07/10/12 - N/A

Series: Additional Studies

Introduction:

1.   Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible says, “Synagogue is the general term used for a congregation of Jews, people of Jewish religious faith and by extension the name of the building or structure in which such worship or other exercise takes place.  Like the word ‘church’ the term applies to the body of Jews acting corporately and not to the physical constructs primarily.” 2.  We read much of synagogues in the N.T.

a.  Jesus taught in the synagogues.

b.  Paul would often go there on his preaching trips looking for a ready audience of listeners to whom he could present the gospel.

3.  What I want to do in this lesson is to discuss briefly the background of synagogues, their origin and use, describe a typical service and then stretch your thinking a bit as we try to imagine the people assembled together with you in their midst.

Discussion:

I.  The word “synagogue.”

A.  Derived from the Greek “synagogue,” a term for any gathering of people for religious or secular purposes.  It is from the verb “synago,” “to gather,” “to bring together,” that is, to assemble (Matt. 2:4, Mk. 6:30; Lk. 12:17; Jn. 4:36).

B.  It is very similar to the Greek “ekklesia” meaning “those called out.”  Whereas “ekklesia” has to do with the calling out, “synago” focuses on the gathering together.

C.  Very similar to our word “church.”

II.  The origin of the synagogue is shrouded in mystery.

A.  The most plausible explanation of its origin stems from the days of the captivity.

1.  The removal of the Levites, the inability of captives to return to Jerusalem to the Temple rendered temple worship impossible.

2.  Still there was a need for instruction in the law.

3.  It is probable that synagogue practice arose during this time.

B.  Certainly in the N.T. period synagogues were widespread, not only in Palestine, but in the Diaspora, those Jew scattered outside the promised land.

C.  They were used for both religious and “secular” education.

1.  There was no distinction between religious and secular education among the Jews as we have it today.  There was just education and it was considered as a community responsibility.

2.  The synagogue was where this took place.

3.  As few as ten male members were considered enough for a synagogue.

III.  Were we to sit in on typical assembly . . .

A.  There would be the recitation of the “shema” (Deut. 6:4-5).

B.  Prayers in the service were always followed by the general “Amen” said by the congregation.

C.  There would be a reading from the Torah and probably a reading from the Prophets. Both followed by an interpretation.

1.  We may have example of this kind of thing in Lk. 4:16ff.

2.  Opportunity for someone to speak seems to have been typical also.  We may have an example of this in Acts 13:14-41.

D.  White says that while in the temple there were choirs in the synagogues the songs were sung congregationally (ZPEB, “synagogue,” p. 566).

E.  While the assembly might have been somewhat different than what we are accustomed to we would experience some similarity to what we experience today in a worship assembly.

IV.  We have already read from the account where Jesus was in the synagogue at Nazareth where he grew up.  It must have been like our going back to the congregation where we grew up.  Let’s go back to the synagogue in Nazareth and imagine what it would be like before Jesus was born.

A.  James Strange, an American archaeologist, estimated the population of Nazareth at the time of Christ to be “roughly 1600 to 2000 people.”  Later he revised his estimate at “a maximum of 480.”

B.  That’s a small town, a very small town.  Everybody would probably know everybody.

C.  There might only be one synagogue in town.  You can imagine how it would be growing up in that kind of situation.

D.  There is a young couple there betrothed to each other.

1.  Maybe they are the offspring of two families in the synagogue.

2.  The young woman comes up pregnant.  She has a story about an angel (Lk. 1:28ff).

3.  What is that going to mean in this synagogue?

a.  Assumptions are probably going to be made that the child is Joseph’s.

b.  But he knows different.

C.  What is the reaction in this small Jewish community?

1.  Some might be filled with rage.  This was the reaction that they gave Jesus (Lk. 4:28).

2.  Some might thank God they were not like her (Lk. 18:11ff).

3.  Some might say, “stone her,” “and him” (Jn. 8).  Cf.  Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22ff.

4.  Some might whisper and talk about it.  Others might debate the issue openly.

5.  What would a righteous man or woman do?  Matt. 1:19 says, “Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.” He planned to divorce her quietly.  When he considered this an angel of the Lord appeared to him and explained the circumstances.

6.  Can you hear Joseph giving this explanation to the members of the synagogue?

Conclusion:

1.  I have been in congregations where there was tension, divisive attitudes, harsh words. 2.  When sin is committed, angry emotions can flare.  Sometimes no sin has been committed but one thinks another has sinned or wronged them in some way. 3.  Often there are condemnations.  Accusations.  Gossip.  Hard feelings.  Sometimes even hatred and resentment.  Sometimes we would like to take one and throw them off the precipice. 4.  When I am the one you wish to throw off would you think of Jesus’ message, “Go and sin no more?”  Would you think of Joseph, “a righteous man who did not want to disgrace her?” 5.  Yes, forgiveness is hard when you have to extend it, especially so when you know you have not done wrong.  But many of you have done it, hard though it is.  You have carried the pain of sin and learned to work through it. 6.  And that is what Jesus has done for each of us.

a.  Not wanting to disgrace us He has carried our sin.

b.  His message:  “Go and sin no more.”