{After the reading of the law and the prophets} (meta t(886e)
anagn(9373)in tou nomou kai t(936e) proph(8874)(936e)). The law was first read
in the synagogues till B.C. 163 when Antiochus Epiphones
prohibited it. Then the reading of the prophets was substituted
for it. The Maccabees restored both. There was a reading from the
law and one from the prophets in Hebrew which was interpreted
into the Aramaic or the Greek _Koin(825f) for the people. The reading
was followed by the sermon as when Jesus was invited to read and
to preach in Nazareth ( Lu 4:16f. ). For the service in the
synagogue see Schuerer, _History of the Jewish People_, Div. II,
Vol. II, pp. 79ff. It was the duty of the rulers of the synagogue
(archisunag(9367)oi) to select the readers and the speakers for the
service ( Mr 5:22,35-38  Lu 8:49  13:14  Ac 13:15  18:8,17 ). Any
rabbi or distinguished stranger could be called on to speak. {If
ye have any word of exhortation for the people} (ei tis estin en
humin logos parakl(8873)e(9373) pros ton laon). Literally, if there is
among you any word of exhortation for the people. It is a
condition of the first class and assumed to be true, a polite
invitation. On "exhortation" (parakl(8873)is) see  9:31 . It may be
a technical phrase used in the synagogue ( Heb 13:22  1Ti 4:13 ).