Acts 18:21

but taking his leave of them, he said, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.

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Other translations

WEBBE

but taking his leave of them, he said, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.

BSB

But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.

KJV

But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

ASV

but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.

BBE

And went from them, saying, I will come back to you if God lets me; and he took ship from Ephesus.

Original Greek

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ἀλλ all᾽ but G235 ἀποταξάμενος apotaxamenos having taken leave G657 καὶ kai and G2532 αὐτοῖς autois to them G846 εἰπών eipōn having said G2036 δεῖ dei necessary G1163 με me me G3165 πάντως pantōs by all means G3843 τὴν tēn the G3588 ἑορτὴν he'ortēn feast G1859 τὴν tēn which G3588 ἐρχομένην erchomenēn is coming G2064 ποιῆσαι poiēsai to do G4160 εἰς eis into G1519 Ἱεροσόλυμα Hi'erosoluma Jerusalem G2414 πάλιν palin Again G3825 δὲ de now G1161 ἀνακάμψω anakampsō I will return G344 πρὸς pros to G4314 ὑμᾶς humas you G4771 τοῦ tou (the) G3588 θεοῦ theou God G2316 θέλοντος thelontos willing G2309 καὶ kai and G2532 ἀνήχθη anēchthē he sailed G321 ἀπὸ apo from G575 τῆς tēs (the) G3588 Ἐφέσου Ephesou Ephesus G2181

The early church

"When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; but bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem." Therefore it was that he was hindered from coming into Asia, being impelled to what was of pressing moment. Thus observe him here, entreated (by them) to stay, but because he could not comply, being in haste to depart, "he bade them farewell." However, he did not leave them without more ado, but with promise (to return): "But I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus."
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 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 what they can to strengthen them, by directing them to Christ, who is their Strength. Let us earnestly seek, in our several places, to promote the cause of Christ, forming plans that appear to us most proper, but relying on the Lord to bring them to pass if he sees good.

Read Matthew Henry on Acts 18 →

Cross-references

16

People & places

Ephesus

Topics

JerusalemFeastsWill

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.