Acts 18:20

20 When they asked him to stay longer, he declined;

Acts 18:20 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 18:20

When they desired him to tarry longer time with them
Either Aquila and Priscilla, whom he left here, for here they were, as is certain from Ac 18:24,26
or rather the Jews with whom he reasoned, who might be desirous of further conference with him, upon the subject they had disputed about; either in order to gain more knowledge, or in hopes of baffling and confounding him:

he consented not;
for a reason afterwards given.

Acts 18:20 In-Context

18 After staying there for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the believers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow.

19 When they reached Ephesus, he left them there, but first he himself went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews.

20 When they asked him to stay longer, he declined;

21 but on taking leave of them, he said, "I will return to you, if God wills." Then he set sail from Ephesus.

22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.