And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
And he came to Ephesus - the celebrated capital of Ionia, and at this time of Proconsular Asia. It was a place of great commercial importance, and became the metropolis of the churches of Asia Minor. It was a sail right across, from the west to the east side of the AEgean Sea, of some eight or ten days with a fair wind.
And left them (that is, Aquila and Priscilla) there. For the reason why this is specially mentioned here, see the note at Acts 18:26. But he himself entered into the synagogue - not to continue labouring there, but, taking advantage of the brief opportunity of the vessel's putting in there, to lift up his voice for Christ.
And reasoned, [ dielexato (G1256 ), or 'discoursed'] with the Jews. The word is not (as in Acts 17:2 and Acts 18:4) in the imperfect tense, denoting continuous action, but in the aorist, expressing a transient act, for the reason just mentioned. He had been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in "Asia" (Acts 16:6); but he would not consider that as precluding this passing exercise of his ministry when Providence brought him to its capital; nor did it follow that the prohibition was still in force.