Acts 18:20

KJV

When they desired [him] to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G1161} they {G846} desired {G2065} him to tarry {G3306} longer {G1909}{G4119} time {G5550} with {G3844} them {G846}, he consented {G1962} not {G3756};

Complete Jewish Bible

When they asked him to stay with them longer, he declined;

Berean Standard Bible

When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined.

American Standard Version

And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 18:20 records a pivotal moment in Paul's second missionary journey where, despite a warm reception and earnest requests from the Jewish community in Ephesus to extend his stay, he resolutely declined. This seemingly abrupt departure underscores Paul's unwavering commitment to a divinely ordained itinerary and highlights his reliance on God's perfect timing and strategic direction for his apostolic ministry, even when faced with promising immediate opportunities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 18:20 is situated within the broader narrative of Paul's second missionary journey, specifically at its concluding stages. Paul, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila, has just arrived in Ephesus from Corinth ([Acts 18:18-19](/acts/18-18-19 "Acts 18:18-19 - Paul's Journey to Ephesus")). True to his custom, he immediately entered the synagogue to preach. Unlike some previous encounters, his message was well-received by the Jewish community, who "desired him to tarry longer time with them." This verse sets up the subsequent verse ([Acts 18:21](/acts/18-21 "Acts 18:21 - Paul's Promise to Return")), where Paul explains his refusal by stating his need to keep a feast in Jerusalem, promising to return "if God will." This immediate follow-up clarifies his motivation and foreshadows his significant future ministry in Ephesus, detailed extensively in [Acts 19](/acts/19 "Acts 19 - Paul's Extended Ministry in Ephesus").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ephesus was a major port city and the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor, renowned for its temple to Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a bustling commercial, cultural, and religious hub, making it a strategic center for the spread of the Gospel. The city had a significant Jewish population, as evidenced by Paul's initial engagement in the synagogue. Travel in the ancient world was arduous and time-consuming, often dictated by seasons and available transport. Paul's commitment to specific timelines, such as attending a feast in Jerusalem, reflects the importance of religious observances within Jewish culture, even for a Christian apostle, and the logistical realities of his missionary endeavors. His decision was not merely personal preference but likely a strategic move within the broader framework of his apostolic calling and the early church's development.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and Paul's ministry. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Direction over Human Desire**. Paul's refusal, despite the positive response, demonstrates his submission to God's specific leading for his movements, rather than being swayed by immediate success or popular demand. This aligns with the broader narrative of the Holy Spirit guiding the early church's expansion, as seen in passages like [Acts 13:2-4](/acts/13-2-4 "Acts 13:2-4 - The Holy Spirit Sends Paul and Barnabas"). Secondly, it highlights Paul's **Strategic Planning and Stewardship of Time**. His commitment to a specific feast in Jerusalem reveals a disciplined approach to ministry, balancing evangelism with his Jewish heritage and obligations. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **God's Sovereignty over Future Opportunities**. Paul's conditional promise to return "if God will" ([Acts 18:21](/acts/18-21 "Acts 18:21 - Paul's Conditional Promise")) underscores his reliance on divine providence, foreshadowing the extensive and transformative ministry he would later undertake in Ephesus, as recorded in [Acts 19:1-41](/acts/19 "Acts 19 - Paul's Extended Ministry in Ephesus"), which became one of the most significant centers of early Christianity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **desired (Greek, _erōtáō'_):** From G2065, meaning "to interrogate; by implication, to request." This word signifies an earnest and sincere request from the Ephesian Jews. It was not a casual invitation but a genuine plea for Paul to extend his teaching, indicating a receptive audience and a promising start to his ministry in the city.
* **tarry (Greek, _ménō'_):** From G3306, meaning "to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)." This word emphasizes the nature of their request: to remain, to abide, to dwell longer with them. It implies a desire for continued instruction and fellowship, recognizing the value of Paul's presence and teaching.
* **consented not (Greek, _ouk epineúō'_):** This phrase combines G3756 (_ou_), the absolute negative adverb "no" or "not," with G1962 (_epineúō_), meaning "to nod at, i.e. (by implication) to assent." The combination forms a strong and unequivocal refusal. Paul did not merely hesitate or postpone; he definitively "did not assent" or "did not permit" himself to stay. This firm negation highlights his conviction regarding his immediate divine calling and schedule.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When they desired [him] to tarry longer time with them":** This clause establishes the context of the interaction. The "they" refers to the Jewish community in Ephesus, who had heard Paul preach in the synagogue. Their "desire" (from _erōtáō_) indicates a genuine and earnest request, suggesting a positive initial reception to Paul's message. The phrase "to tarry longer time" (from _ménō_ and _pleíōn chrónos_) signifies their wish for an extended period of Paul's presence and teaching, recognizing the spiritual benefit they were receiving. This sets up a tension between human desire and divine direction.
* **"he consented not":** This is the pivotal response from Paul. The Greek "οὐκ ἐπενεύσεν" (ouk epeneúsen) translates to "he did not nod assent" or "he did not agree." This firm and immediate refusal, despite the promising opportunity and the earnest request, underscores Paul's commitment to a higher authority and a pre-determined schedule. It reveals his discipline and his reliance on divine leading over human appeal, even when the human appeal is for a good and spiritual purpose.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Irony** in the contrast between the earnest desire of the Ephesian Jews for Paul to stay and Paul's resolute refusal. What appears to be a missed opportunity from a human perspective is, in the larger narrative, a strategic move guided by divine purpose, leading to an even more fruitful future ministry. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as Paul's refusal and subsequent promise to return ([Acts 18:21](/acts/18-21 "Acts 18:21 - Paul's Promise to Return")) subtly hint at the extensive and impactful ministry he would later conduct in Ephesus, which became a significant center for the early church. This demonstrates that God's timing is often different from human expectations, yet always perfect.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's decision in Acts 18:20 profoundly illustrates the theological principle of discerning and submitting to God's specific will, even when faced with seemingly good and open doors. His refusal to "tarry longer" was not a rejection of the people or the potential for ministry, but a prioritization of what he believed to be God's immediate plan for him. This highlights that not every opportunity, no matter how appealing or spiritually beneficial it appears, is necessarily the one God intends for us at a given moment. It speaks to the importance of spiritual discipline, adherence to commitments (like the feast in Jerusalem), and a deep trust in God's perfect timing and overarching strategy for His kingdom's advancement. Paul's actions serve as a powerful example of living by divine appointment rather than human expediency or popular demand, demonstrating a profound reliance on the Holy Spirit's guidance in all aspects of ministry and life.

* [James 4:15](/james/4-15 "James 4:15 - Submitting to God's Will")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "1 Corinthians 4:2 - Stewardship and Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 18:20 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers navigating choices in ministry, career, and personal life. Paul's unwavering commitment to his divinely guided itinerary, even when presented with a highly promising and receptive audience, challenges us to cultivate a similar posture of discernment and obedience. It teaches us that "good" opportunities are not always "God's" opportunities for us at a particular moment. We must learn to weigh immediate desires and perceived successes against our pre-existing commitments, our sense of God's specific calling, and the broader trajectory of His will for our lives. Paul's example encourages us to trust that God's timing is perfect, and that saying "no" to one good thing, out of obedience, can open the door to even greater, more timely, and more impactful opportunities down the road, as it did for Paul in Ephesus. Our faithfulness is measured not just by our willingness to say "yes" to God's call, but also by our wisdom in discerning when to say "no" to other, even seemingly positive, ventures.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between a good opportunity and God's specific, timely opportunity for me?**
* **What existing commitments or perceived divine directives might I be tempted to compromise for immediate success or popular appeal?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God's timing more, even if it means delaying or declining something I desire?**
* **How can Paul's example of prioritizing divine timing over human desire inform my approach to ministry and personal decisions?**

### FAQ

**Why did Paul refuse to stay longer when they wanted him to?**

Answer: Paul's refusal was not a rejection of the people or the promising ministry opportunity, but a demonstration of his commitment to a divinely ordained schedule. As the very next verse clarifies ([Acts 18:21](/acts/18-21 "Acts 18:21 - Paul's Reason for Departure")), Paul felt compelled to keep a specific feast in Jerusalem. This indicates his adherence to Jewish religious customs and his strategic planning within his broader missionary work. His decision highlights his reliance on God's timing and direction over immediate human desires or perceived success.

**What was the "feast" Paul needed to keep in Jerusalem?**

Answer: The Bible does not explicitly name the feast Paul intended to keep. Scholars generally suggest it was likely one of the three major pilgrimage festivals: Passover/Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, or Tabernacles. Given the timing of his journey, many believe it was Pentecost, as it would have allowed him to return to Ephesus later in the year. Attending these feasts was a significant religious and cultural practice for Jews, and Paul, though an apostle to the Gentiles, maintained his connection to his Jewish heritage and the Jerusalem church.

**Did Paul ever return to Ephesus, and what was the outcome?**

Answer: Yes, Paul did return to Ephesus, and his subsequent ministry there was incredibly fruitful and significant. As he promised in [Acts 18:21](/acts/18-21 "Acts 18:21 - Paul's Conditional Promise"), he returned "if God will." His return is recorded in [Acts 19:1](/acts/19-1 "Acts 19:1 - Paul Returns to Ephesus"), and he spent over two years teaching and ministering in the city, leading to widespread evangelism throughout the province of Asia ([Acts 19:10](/acts/19-10 "Acts 19:10 - Paul's Extensive Ministry in Asia")). This extended stay resulted in the establishment of a strong church and had a profound impact on the region, demonstrating God's perfect timing and the wisdom of Paul's initial refusal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's resolute decision to decline the Ephesian Jews' earnest request to "tarry longer" profoundly mirrors the ultimate obedience of Christ to the Father's will and timing. Just as Paul prioritized a divinely appointed schedule over immediate opportunities, Jesus consistently submitted His earthly ministry to the Father's perfect plan. Christ's life was a testament to fulfilling the Father's purpose, not His own desires or the demands of the crowds. He declared, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is Doing God's Will")). Even in the face of immense suffering, Jesus prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), ultimately fulfilling His mission to die for the sins of the world. Paul's actions in Acts 18:20, therefore, are a Christ-like demonstration of prioritizing God's sovereign plan and perfect timing above all else, reflecting the pattern of obedience established by the Lamb of God, who came to do the Father's will ([Hebrews 10:7](/hebrews/10-7 "Hebrews 10:7 - Christ's Obedience")). Through Paul's submission, we see the outworking of God's redemptive plan in Christ, where every step, every decision, and every "no" serves the greater purpose of bringing glory to God and salvation to humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 21:13

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 21:14

And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

1 Corinthians 16:12

As touching [our] brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

Acts 20:16

For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

Mark 1:37

And when they had found him, they said unto him, All [men] seek for thee.

Mark 1:38

And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.