Theatre

Only mentioned in Acts 19:29, 31. The ruins of this theatre at Ephesus still exist, and they show that it was a magnificent structure, capable of accommodating some 56,700 persons. It was the largest structure of the kind that ever existed. Theatres, as places of amusement, were unknown to the Jews.

For the explanation of the biblical allusions, two or three points only require notice. The Greek term, like the corresponding English term, denotes the place where dramatic performances are exhibited, and also the scene itself or spectacle which is witnessed there. It occurs in the first or local sense in (Acts 19:29) The other sense of the term “theatre” occurs in (1 Corinthians 4:9)

THE'ATRE, a place of public amusement, where popular assemblies, courts, elections, etc., were often held. Acts 19:29, 1 Chr 24:31. "The taste for theatrical amusements was never strongly developed among the Jews, though some of their later rulers, especially the Herods, favored them and established theatres in Palestine. Herod the Great introduced Greek actors at his court in Jerusalem, greatly to the scandal of the Jews, and built a theatre and amphitheatre at Caesarea." - Hackett.

THE'ATRE, a place of public amusement, where popular assemblies, courts, elections, etc., were often held. Acts 19:29, 1 Chr 24:31. "The taste for theatrical amusements was never strongly developed among the Jews, though some of their later rulers, especially the Herods, favored them and established theatres in Palestine. Herod the Great introduced Greek actors at his court in Jerusalem, greatly to the scandal of the Jews, and built a theatre and amphitheatre at Caesarea." - Hackett.