SEV Biblia, Chapter 18:21
Sino que se despidi de ellos, diciendo: Es necesario que en todo caso tenga la Fiesta que viene, en Jerusaln; mas otra vez volver a vosotros, queriendo Dios. Y sali de Efeso.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 18:21
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 favourable 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, AEthiopic, 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, chap. xix. 1, and spent three years with them, chap. xx. 31, extending and establishing the Church at that place.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. But bade them farewell, saying , etc.] As follows: I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem ; which perhaps was the passover, since that often went by the name of the feast: the why he must by all means keep it, was not because it was obligatory upon him; nor did he always observe it, as appears from his long stay at Corinth, and other places; and besides, as a Christian, he had nothing to do with it; but either because of his vow, ( Acts 18:18) or because he knew he should have an opportunity of preaching the Gospel to great numbers; the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions omit this clause: but I will return again unto you, if God will ; he promises to return to them, but not peremptorily as knowing that he was altogether subject to the will of God, who disposes and orders all things according to his sovereign pleasure; (see James 4:15) and he sailed from Ephesus; which was near the Aegean sea: such was the situation of Ephesus, according to Apollonius f943 ; who says, that it stood out to the sea, which encompassed the land on which it was built; so Pausanias relates, that Lysimachus passing into Asia by shipping, took the kingdom of Antigonus from him, and built the city the Ephesians now inhabit near the sea; so Josephus f945 reports of Herod and Agrippa, that travelling by land to Phrygia Major, they came to Ephesus, and again, diepleusin , they sailed from Ephesus to Samos.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 18-23 - While Paul found he laboured not in vain, he continued labouring. Ou times are in God's hand; we purpose, but he disposes; therefore we mus make all promises with submission to the will of God; not only i providence permits, but if God does not otherwise direct our motions. very good refreshment it is to a faithful minister, to have for awhil the society of his brethren. Disciples are compassed about with infirmity; ministers must do what they can to strengthen them, be directing them to Christ, who is their Strength. Let us earnestly seek in our several places, to promote the cause of Christ, forming plan that appear to us most proper, but relying on the Lord to bring them to pass if he sees good.
Greek Textus Receptus
αλλ 235 CONJ απεταξατο 657 5662 V-ADI-3S αυτοις 846 P-DPM ειπων 2036 5631 V-2AAP-NSM δει 1163 5904 V-PQI-3S με 3165 P-1AS παντως 3843 ADV την 3588 T-ASF εορτην 1859 N-ASF την 3588 T-ASF ερχομενην 2064 5740 V-PNP-ASF ποιησαι 4160 5658 V-AAN εις 1519 PREP ιεροσολυμα 2414 N-ASF παλιν 3825 ADV δε 1161 CONJ ανακαμψω 344 5692 V-FAI-1S προς 4314 PREP υμας 5209 P-2AP του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM θελοντος 2309 5723 V-PAP-GSM και 2532 CONJ ανηχθη 321 5681 V-API-3S απο 575 PREP της 3588 T-GSF εφεσου 2181 N-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
21. I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem.The best texts omit.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
18:21 {I shall return} (anakamyw). Future active indicative of anakamptw, old verb to bend back, turn back (#Mt 2:2). {If God will} (tou qeou qelontos). Genitive absolute of present active participle. this expression (ean with subjunctive) occurs also in #1Co 4:19; 16:7; Jas 4:15. Such phrases were common among Jews, Greeks, and Romans, and are today. It is simply a recognition that we are in God's hands. The Textus Receptus has here a sentence not in the best MSS.: "I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem." this addition by D and other documents may have been due to a desire to give a reason for the language in verse #22 about "going up" to Jerusalem. Whether Paul said it or not, it was in the spring when he made this journey with a company of pilgrims probably going to the feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem. We know that later Paul did try to reach Jerusalem for Pentecost (#20:16) and succeeded. As the ship was leaving, Paul had to go, but with the hope of returning soon to Ephesus as he did.
