Acts 18:20
New International Version
When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.

New Living Translation
They asked him to stay longer, but he declined.

English Standard Version
When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined.

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

Berean Literal Bible
Now of them asking him to remain for a longer time, he did not consent,

King James Bible
When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

New King James Version
When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent,

New American Standard Bible
When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,

NASB 1995
When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,

NASB 1977
And when they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,

Legacy Standard Bible
When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,

Amplified Bible
When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he refused;

Christian Standard Bible
When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he declined,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And though they asked him to stay for a longer time, he declined,

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

Contemporary English Version
They asked him to stay longer, but he refused.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Jews asked him to stay longer, but he refused.

Good News Translation
The people asked him to stay longer, but he would not consent.

International Standard Version
They asked him to stay longer, but he refused.

Majority Standard Bible
When they asked him to stay with them for a while longer, he declined.

NET Bible
When they asked him to stay longer, he would not consent,

New Heart English Bible
When they asked him to stay a longer time, he declined;

Webster's Bible Translation
When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not:

Weymouth New Testament
When they asked him to remain longer he did not consent,

World English Bible
When they asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they having requested [him] to remain a longer time with them, he did not consent,

Berean Literal Bible
Now of them asking him to remain for a longer time, he did not consent,

Young's Literal Translation
and they having requested him to remain a longer time with them, he did not consent,

Smith's Literal Translation
And they asking to remain with them for more time, he acquiesced not;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they desired him, that he would tarry a longer time, he consented not;

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, although they were asking him to remain for a longer time, he would not agree.

New American Bible
Although they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent,

New Revised Standard Version
When they asked him to stay longer, he declined;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When they wanted him to tarry a longer time with them, he consented not;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they were asking him to tarry with them, and he did not consent,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And though they besought him to remain with them a longer time, he did not consent,

Godbey New Testament
And they asking him to remain a longer time, he did not consent;

Haweis New Testament
But when they were importunate with him to prolong his stay among them, he consented not;

Mace New Testament
who desired him to stay longer with them, but he would not consent to it: for,

Weymouth New Testament
When they asked him to remain longer he did not consent,

Worrell New Testament
And, though they asked him to remain a longer time with them, he consented not;

Worsley New Testament
Though when they desired him to stay longer with them, he did not consent: but took his leave of them,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Returns to Antioch
19When they reached Ephesus, Paul parted ways with Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews. 20When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined. 21But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.…

Cross References
Acts 19:8-10
Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. / But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. / This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.

Acts 17:2-3
As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, / explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.

Acts 13:42-44
As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people urged them to continue this message on the next Sabbath. / After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. / On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

Acts 14:1-3
At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so well that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. / But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. / So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

Acts 16:13-15
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there. / Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. / And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Acts 28:23-24
So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. / Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe.

Acts 9:20-22
Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.” / All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” / But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

Acts 17:17
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.

Acts 13:14-16
And from Perga, they traveled inland to Pisidian Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down. / After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.” / Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!

Acts 19:33-34
The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people. / But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Acts 17:10-12
As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue. / Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. / As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men.

Acts 14:19-20
Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, presuming he was dead. / But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. And the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

Acts 13:5
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. And John was with them as their helper.

Acts 17:4-5
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women. / The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people.

Acts 19:9
But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.


Treasury of Scripture

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

he.

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.

Acts 21:13,14
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…

Mark 1:37,38
And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee…

Jump to Previous
Abide Consent Consented Declined Desired Longer Period Requested Spend Tarry Time
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Abide Consent Consented Declined Desired Longer Period Requested Spend Tarry Time
Acts 18
1. Paul labors with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.
9. The Lord encourages him in a vision.
12. He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed.
18. Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples.
24. Apollos, being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ boldly.














When they asked him
This phrase indicates a request made by the people in Ephesus to Paul. The Greek word for "asked" here is "ἐρωτάω" (erōtaō), which can also mean to entreat or beseech. This suggests a sense of urgency or earnestness in their request. Historically, Ephesus was a major center of commerce and culture in the Roman Empire, and the people there were likely eager to learn more from Paul, who was a well-traveled and knowledgeable teacher of the Gospel. This reflects the hunger for spiritual truth that was present in many parts of the ancient world.

to stay
The Greek word for "stay" is "μένω" (menō), which means to remain or abide. This word is often used in the New Testament to describe a deeper, more permanent dwelling, not just a temporary visit. The Ephesians' request for Paul to "stay" indicates their desire for a lasting relationship and continued teaching. In a spiritual sense, this reflects the Christian call to abide in Christ, as seen in John 15:4, where believers are encouraged to remain in Jesus as He remains in them.

for a while longer
This phrase suggests that Paul had already spent some time with the Ephesians, and they were asking for an extension of his visit. The Greek word "χρόνος" (chronos) refers to a period of time, emphasizing the Ephesians' desire for more of Paul's presence and teaching. This reflects the early church's recognition of the importance of apostolic teaching and the foundational role it played in establishing and strengthening new believers in their faith.

he declined
The Greek word used here is "οὐκ ἐπένευσεν" (ouk epenusen), which means he did not consent or agree. Paul's decision to decline their request might seem surprising, but it highlights his commitment to the mission God had set before him. Paul was led by the Holy Spirit and had a clear sense of purpose and direction. This decision underscores the importance of following God's leading, even when it means making difficult choices or disappointing others. It also serves as a reminder that God's plans and timing are perfect, even when they differ from our own desires or expectations.

(20) When they desired him to tarry longer time with them.--This was, obviously, a hopeful sign, the earnest of the fruitful labours that followed. Nowhere, among the churches that he founded, does St. Paul seem to have found so great a receptivity for spiritual truth. While he looked on the Corinthians as being children requiring to be fed with milk (1Corinthians 3:2), he saw in the Ephesians those to whom he did not shun to declare "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27), to whom he could, at a later date, appeal as able to measure his knowledge of the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 3:4).

Verse 20. - And when they asked for when they desired, A.V.; abide a for tarry, A.V.; time for time with them, A.V. He consented not; οὐκ ἐπένευσεν, only here in the New Testament, but found in Proverbs 26:20; 2 Macc. 4:10, etc., and frequently in medical writers; literally, to bend the head forward by the proper muscles (Hobart).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[When]
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

they
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

asked [him]
ἐρωτώντων (erōtōntōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2065: Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.

to stay
μεῖναι (meinai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3306: To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.

for
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

a while longer,
πλείονα (pleiona)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4119: Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.

he declined.
ἐπένευσεν (epeneusen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1962: To nod to, assent to, consent. From epi and neuo; to nod at, i.e. to assent.


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