1 Kings 20:342 Chronicles 32:6Nehemiah 8:1Deuteronomy 13:162 Samuel 21:12

Herod rebuilt many of the cities of Palestine following the Greek pattern which included open areas for public gathering (Greek: agora ). Amidst the shops, children played (Matthew 11:16 ), day laborers gathered to be hired (Matthew 20:2-3 ), and Pharisees and other leading citizens wandered, exchanging greetings (Matthew 23:7; Luke 11:43 ). Paul went to the marketplace (Greek agora ) on his visits to Greek cities to speak to the crowd always gathered there (Acts 17:17 ). He and Silas were also tried by magistrates in the marketplace at Philippi after angering the local merchants (Acts 16:19 ).

Victor H. Matthews