Acts 13:15After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak."
The setting
Pisidian Antioch synagogue, ~47 AD. Sabbath morning. Paul and Barnabas sit as visitors when synagogue leaders extend customary invitation to speak...
The emotion here: hopeful anticipation at unexpected opportunity
The original word
paraklēsis (παράκλησις) — encouragement that comes alongside, not lecturing from above
Why it matters
Synagogue services always included Torah reading, then Prophets, then opportunity for qualified visitors to speak
Read with care
What most readers miss in Acts 13:15
This was standard synagogue protocol — they weren't singling Paul out, just following custom
Common misconceptionPeople think Paul was specially invited because he was famous. Actually, this was normal synagogue practice — any qualified visitor could speak after the readings.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Acts 13:15
Bible Genome reading
Acts 13:15 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Acts 13:15 comes from the book of Acts, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to synagogue rulers. The dominant emotion in this verse is seeking, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is tender. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include invitation, opportunity. Notable phrases: word of exhortation; brothers speak.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same seeking
“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
— Amos 5:24
“Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that …”
— Genesis 18:25
“Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great things, and difficult, which you don't know.”
— Jeremiah 33:3
“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evi…”
— Luke 11:4
Your reflection
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