Acts 18 · Verse 21

Acts 18:21

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.
Acts 18:21, King James Version

Acts 18:21 in other translations

BSBBut as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
WEBbut 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.
ASVbut taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.
YLTbut took leave of them, saying, ‘It behoveth me by all means the coming feast to keep at Jerusalem, and again I will return unto you--God willing.' And he sailed from Ephesus,
DARBYbut 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.
BBEAnd went from them, saying, I will come back to you if God lets me; and he took ship from Ephesus.
WebsterBut bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return to you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

What does Acts 18:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
21. I must ... keep this feast--probably Pentecost, presenting a noble opportunity of preaching the Gospel. but I will return--the fulfilment of which promise is recorded in Ac 19:1.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21. Keep this feast. Probably the passover is here referred to. Why he was so anxious to celebrate that feast at Jerusalem, the historian has not informed us. It is probable, however, that he wished to meet as many of his countrymen as possible, and to remove, if practicable, the prejudices which had everywhere been raised against him, Acts 21:20,21. Perhaps, also, he supposed that there would be many Christian converts present, whom he might meet also.

But I will return, etc. This he did, Acts 19:1, and remained there three years, Acts 20:31.

(b) "Jerusalem" Acts 19:21, 20:16 (c) "if God will" 1Cor 4:19, Jas 4:15

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 21 I must - keep this feast - Most likely the passover, at which he wished to attend for the purpose of seeing many of his friends, and having the most favorable opportunity to preach the Gospel to thousands who would attend at Jerusalem on that occasion. The whole of this clause, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem, is wanting in ABE, six others; with the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, and Vulgate. Griesbach leaves it in the text, with the mark of doubtfulness; and Professor White, in his Crisews, says, probabiliter delenda. Without this clause the verse will read thus: But he bade them farewell, saying, I will return again unto you, if God will. And this he did before the expiration of that same year, Act 19:1, and spent three years with them, Act 20:31, extending and establishing the Church at that place.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 18:18-23

While Paul found he laboured not in vain, he continued labouring. Our times are in God's hand; we purpose, but he disposes; therefore we must make all promises with submission to the will of God; not only if providence permits, but if God does not otherwise direct our motions. A very good refreshment it is to a faithful minister, to have for awhile the society of his brethren. Disciples are compassed about with…

Read the full comment on Acts 18:18-23 →

Acts 18:21 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀλλ᾽all᾽butG235
ἀποταξάμενοςapotaxamenoshaving taken leaveG657
εἰπώνeipōnhaving saidG2036
δεῖdeinecessaryG1163
μεmemeG3165
πάντωςpantōsby all meansG3843
τὴνtēntheG3588
ἑορτὴνhe'ortēnfeastG1859
τὴνtēnwhichG3588
ἐρχομένηνerchomenēnis comingG2064
ποιῆσαιpoiēsaito doG4160
εἰςeisintoG1519
Ἱεροσόλυμα·Hi'erosolumaJerusalem;G2414
πάλινpalinAgainG3825
ἀνακάμψωanakampsōI will returnG344
πρὸςprostoG4314
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦtheouGodG2316
θέλοντος,thelontoswilling,G2309
ἀνήχθηanēchthēhe sailedG321
ἀπὸapofromG575
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
Ἐφέσου.EphesouEphesus.G2181

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 18:21

  • James 4:15

    For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

  • 1 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.

  • Romans 15:32

    That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

  • Hebrews 6:3

    And this will we do, if God permit.

  • 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.

  • Romans 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.

  • Deuteronomy 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.

  • Philippians 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. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. …

  • Matthew 26:39

    And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:11

    Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

  • Acts 21:14

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

  • Acts 15:29

    That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
bade.
15:29; Lu 9:61; 2Co 13:11
I must.
20:16; De 16:1
if God.
19:21; 21:14; Mt 26:39; Ro 1:10; 15:32; 1Co 4:19; Php 2:19-24
Heb 6:3; Jas 4:15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 18:20

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

  • Acts 18:21

    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.

  • Acts 18:22

    And when he had landed at Cesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Read all of Acts 18

Acts 18:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Sino que se despidió de ellos, diciendo: Es menester que en todo caso tenga la fiesta que viene, en Jerusalem; mas otra vez volveré á vosotros, queriendo Dios. Y partió de Efeso.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		mais il prit congé d’eux, disant: Il faut absolument que je célèbre la fête prochaine à Jérusalem; je reviendrai vers vous, si Dieu le veut. Et il partit d’Éphèse par mer.
German
Elberfelder 1871		sondern nahm Abschied von ihnen und sagte: Ich muß durchaus das zukünftige Fest in Jerusalem halten ich werde, wenn Gott will, wieder zu euch zurückkehren. Und er fuhr von Ephesus ab.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		sed valefaciens, et dicens: Iterum revertar ad vos, Deo volente: profectus est ab Epheso.