where he stayed three months. And when the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.
3. Because the Jews laid wait for him. The Lord did exercise his servant so diversely and continually that he set before us in him an example of most excellent constancy. It is not sufficient for him to be wearied with the labor and trouble of a long and wearisome journey, unless he be also brought in danger of his life by those which lay in wait for him.
Paul had stayed at Ephesus longer than anywhere since his ordination, and now Providence itself, in the form of this disturbance, showed him it was time to move on. He did not flee in panic but took solemn leave of the disciples, strengthening them at his departure. The world would need far more books to record all that was worthy in his travels.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 20:1-6
And there abode three months,.... In Greece: and when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria; from some part of Greece, in order to go to Jerusalem; which the Jews in the parts of Greece understanding, laid wait for him, either by sea or land, with an intention either to take the money from him, which he had...