And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
Ver. 5. And Ezra opened the book] God's Book; not Aristotle's Ethics, as Melancthon saith he heard some Popish priests preaching upon texts thence taken. And Carolostadius was eight years a doctor before he first opened the Bible; and yet at the taking of his degree he had been pronounced Sufficientissimus Most adequate.
For he was above all the people] Both in place and office; as representing the person of God, and bearing his name unto his people.
All the people stood up] For reverence' sake. So did Eglon, that fat king of Moab, when he heard of a message from God, Judges 3:20. Balaam, being to utter his parable, bids Balak arise up and hear him. Our Saviour stood up to read his text, Luke 4:16. Constantine the Great and our King Edward VI would not hear a sermon but standing. The modern Jews show their reverence to their law by a like gesture; and their adoration is by bowing forward with their bodies; for kneeling they use none, neither stir they their bonnets in their synagogues, but remain still covered.