And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
And after the reading of the law and the prophets - a current phrase from the Old Testament Scriptures, which it was the invariable practice (as it still is) to read at public worship.
The rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. [The Received Text omits the "any" here; but the tis (G5100) of our version is well supported.] The missionaries had either taken their places where the rabbis usually sat, on purpose to be invited to address the assembly, or their arrival as teachers had become known, and that would be enough.