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: All the people stood up - This was out of respect to the sacred word: in imitation of this, when the gospel for the day is read in our churches, all the people stand up.
Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 8:5
Nehemiah 8:5
5 And Ezra opened the book in the sightb of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: