English Standard Version
Acts 18:20
20When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined.
Acts 18:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
- New International Version (NIV)When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.
- New King James Version (NKJV)When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent,
- New Living Translation (NLT)They asked him to stay longer, but he declined.
Context of Acts 18:20
18After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21But on taking leave of them he said, "I will return to you if God wills," and he set sail from Ephesus. 22When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.
Read all of Acts 18Acts 18:20 word by word
ἐρωτώντων δὲ αὐτῶν ἐπὶ πλείονα χρόνον μεῖναι οὐκ ἐπένευσεν·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Whenδέde · thenG1161
- theyαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- desiredἐρωτάωerōtaō · to askG2065
- toἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- tarryμένωmenō · to stayG3306
- longerπλείων, πλεῖονpleiōn pleion pleon · greaterG4119
- timeχρόνοςchronos · timeG5550
- withπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
- he consentedἐπινεύωepineuō · to acceptG1962
- notοὐou · noG3756
Cross-references for Acts 18:20
- Acts 20:16For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
- Acts 21:13Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
- Mark 1:37and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you."
- 1 Corinthians 16:12Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.
Commentaries on Acts 18:20
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-23Verses 18-23 While Paul found he laboured not in vain, he continued labouring. Our times are in God's hand; we purpose, but he disposes; therefore we must make all promises with submission to the will of God; not only if providence permits, but if God does not otherwise direct our motions. A very good refreshment it is to a faithful minister, to have for awhile the society of his brethren. Disciples are compassed about with infirmity; ministers must do…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-23Paul made a quick stop at Ephesus, the most important city in the Roman province of Asia. There he left the others behind, including Priscilla and Aquila (see 18:26). He sailed to Judea, landing at Caesarea, the headquarters of the Roman forces of occupation. After a visit to the church at Jerusalem, Paul returned to Antioch, the church that had originally commissioned him. This marked the end of his second missionary journey. In Antioch, he spent…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. when they desired him to tarry--The Jews seldom rose against the Gospel till the successful preaching of it stirred them up, and there was no time for that here.Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 18:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Acts 18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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