It is remarkable to consider that much of Jesus’ teaching took place in synagogues (Mark 1:21, Mark 1:39; Mark 3:1; Mark 6:2). They were clearly an important place in Jewish society. The Greek word for synagogue means "assembly" and can refer to the gathering of people (James 2:2) or to the building in which they gather (Luke 7:5). In Mark, it refers most often to the building. These building can be considered as “town halls with Torah.”1 They had both a religious and a political function in the community.
In a political sense, they functioned as courts of law and community centres. Decisions made by assemblies meeting in synagogues were made for the town as a whole.2
In a religious sense, they were the place where the main town meeting of the week was held, the gathering on the Sabbath. This gathering included men and women. During this time, any man could read a prayer, read from the Torah and then give an interpretation. These interpretations often applied the passage of Scripture to present day topics such as marriage, battle plans and criminal justice.3 Open discussion and debate was a typical dimension of synagogue gatherings. One could not simply expect to teach in a synagogue setting and have the public passively accept whatever was taught.
Given the Torah’s importance for daily Jewish life and religious practice, the synagogue’s joint religio-political role in Jewish society, and the power of public opinion in synagogue settings, much was at stake in the teaching, scripture interpretation, discussion, and debate that went on in synagogue gatherings.4
2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?