"a place of public concourse, forum, market-place; things said in the market, provision"
Definition and meaning
a place of public concourse, forum, market-place; things said in the market, provision
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀγορά
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of agora (G58) across the King James Bible.
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
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Common questions
Strong's G58 (agora) is a Greek word that means: a place of public concourse, forum, market-place; things said in the market, provision It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word agora (G58) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G58 is agora, a Greek word defined as: a place of public concourse, forum, market-place; things said in the market, provision. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
agora is a Greek word found in the New Testament.