When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined.
Parallel translations
- WEB When they asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined;
- KJV When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
- NKJV When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent,
- NASB When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,
- NLT They asked him to stay longer, but he declined.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Though the Ephesians asked Paul to stay longer, he declined.
Overview
The openness of the Ephesian synagogue contrasts with the hostility Paul often met, yet he chose to move on. His reason, given next, was a desire to keep a feast in Jerusalem. The episode shows Paul ordering his steps by God's larger purposes rather than by immediate opportunity alone.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Mark 1:37–38and when they found Him, they said, “Everyone is looking for You!”
- 1 Cor 16:12Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
- Acts 21:13–14Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
- Acts 20:16Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 18:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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