Synagogue vs. Temple
The Temple in Jerusalem was the single, central place of sacrifice and priestly worship; synagogues were local gathering places, found in every town, for reading Scripture, teaching, and prayer - with no sacrifices offered there.
Point by Point
Synagogue
Temple
Location
One Temple, located only in Jerusalem.
Many synagogues, in every town and city with a Jewish community.
Function
Sacrifice, priestly service, the central place God's presence dwelt.
Scripture reading, teaching, and prayer - no sacrifices offered.
Who led it
Priests and Levites, under the high priest.
Local rulers/elders and visiting teachers (like Jesus and Paul).
Origin
Built by Solomon, later rebuilt after the Exile, and expanded by Herod.
Arose during or after the Babylonian exile, when the Temple was unavailable.
Scripture References
Jesus Teaches in the Synagogues
Luke 4:16-1716 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
Jesus's regular custom of teaching in local synagogues, distinct from the Jerusalem Temple.
Solomon Builds the Temple
1 Kings 6:1-21 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomonโs reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD. 2 And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.
The construction of the one central Temple in Jerusalem.
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