5402 market

The market was a central feature of life in biblical times. Some of the biblical terms for redemption are drawn from the market-place.

Ancient market-places

1Ki 20:34 Ahab’s treaty with Ben-Hadad suggests that by the 9th century B.C. there was a highly developed system of international trade. International trade in Tyre: Isa 23:3; Eze 27:24

The market as a place of commerce

Methods of trading Cash: Ge 23:10-18; Jn 2:14-16 Bartering: Ge 47:17; Hos 3:2

Sealing transactions Ru 4:7 with a sandal; Jer 32:11-12 by signature

Other activities in the market-place

It was where children played Mt 11:16-17 pp Lk 7:32

It was where labourers waited for hire Mt 20:3

It was where meat was sold 1Co 10:25 Some of this meat had come from pagan sacrifices.

It was where magistrates were present Ac 16:19

God’s work in the market-place

Jesus Christ healed the sick Mk 6:56

Paul preached Ac 17:16-17

Sins in the market-place

Greed, dishonesty and materialism See also Hos 12:7; Am 8:5; Mic 6:11

The hypocrisy of the Pharisees Mt 23:7 pp Mk 12:38 pp Lk 20:46; Mk 7:4 the problem was ritual defilement; Lk 11:43

Rough crowds Ac 16:22; Ac 17:5

The temple courts become a market

Jn 2:14-16 pp Mt 21:12-13 pp Mk 11:15-17 pp Lk 19:45-46

Markets will be destroyed in judgment

Biblical terms for redemption are drawn from market language

In the gospel call Pr 8:3-5 The city gates were often places for business deals; Isa 1:18; Isa 55:1,2; Mt 13:45-46

God’s people have been bought Ac 20:28 See also Ex 15:16; Ps 74:2; 1Co 6:20; 1Co 7:23; 2Pe 2:1; Rev 5:9; Rev 14:4

God’s people have been redeemed Gal 4:4-5 The Greek word “exagorazo” means “to buy” and was used, for example, of the buying of slaves. See also Gal 3:13-14; Rev 14:3 The Greek “agorazo”, translated here as “redeemed”, may also be translated as “bought”. Elsewhere (e.g., Tit 2:14; 1Pe 1:18), “lutro” meaning “to release” is used, conveying a similar idea.

Redeeming the time The Greek “exagorazo” here translated as “make the most of”: Eph 5:16; Col 4:5

See also