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.
But he said goodbye to them, explaining, 'I absolutely have to get back to Jerusalem for this upcoming celebration. But I promise I'll come back to see you all again, if that's what God wants.' Then he left Ephesus by boat.
Sometimes you have to leave the people you care about to follow what God's calling you to do.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul is on his second missionary journey, having just spent time preaching in Ephesus, a bustling port city in ancient Asia Minor. He feels compelled to travel to Jerusalem to observe a Jewish feast, which was a key religious practice for Jews like Paul, helping maintain their cultural and spiritual ties. After bidding farewell to the believers there, he sets sail, expressing his intent to return only if God allows, which underscores the dangers and uncertainties of travel in the Roman Empire.
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