Acts 18:21
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20 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: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
22 And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- 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.
- WEB
- 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.
- ASV
- but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.
- DARBY
- but bade them farewell, saying, [I must by all means keep the coming feast at Jerusalem]; I will return to you again, if God will: and he sailed away from Ephesus.
- BLB
- but having taken leave and having said, “I will return to you⁺ again, God willing,” he sailed from Ephesus,
- ÅB
- men sa farvel til dem og sa: Jeg vil komme til dere en annen gang, om Gud så vil. Så seilte han fra Efesus
- OTB
- men da han dro, sa han: «Jeg vil komme tilbake til dere hvis Gud vil.» Så seilte han fra Efesos.
- B1930
- men sa farvel til dem og sa: Jeg vil komme til eder en annen gang, om Gud så vil. Så seilte han fra Efesus
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
James 4:15
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Read in context1 Corinthians 4:19
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.
Read in contextRomans 15:32
That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
Read in contextHebrews 6:3
And this will we do, if God permit.
Read in contextActs 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.
Read in contextRomans 1:10
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 16:1
Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
Read in contextPhilippians 2:19–24
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
Read in context