Acts 18:20

20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, 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 this Paul stayed many days longer, and then took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aq'uila. At Cen'chre-ae he cut his hair, for he had a vow.

19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself went into the synagogue and argued with the Jews.

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

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

22 When he had landed at Caesare'a, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.