Acts 19:21
After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
This purpose was formed after more than three years with Ephesus as the center of his work, where a flourishing church had been raised up and the gospel had spread throughout the province of Asia among both Jews and Gentiles. He had for some time contemplated another missionary journey.
By this time his work in Ephesus had given heathen worship a telling blow. At the yearly ceremonies in honor of Diana, which drew great numbers from all parts of the province with utmost pomp and splendor, the company of believers meeting in the school of Tyrannus stood out from the festive chorus and faced ridicule, reproach, and insult. His teachings had caused a perceptible falling off in attendance at the national festival and in the enthusiasm of the worshipers. His influence extended far beyond actual converts, so that many who had not openly accepted the new doctrines became enlightened enough to lose all confidence in their heathen gods.
He purposed to pass through Macedonia and Achaia to go to Jerusalem and afterward to see Rome. The plan included visiting the churches in Macedonia and Achaia and spending time at Corinth, with the further hope of preaching in Rome.
In harmony with that purpose he sent Timothy and Erastus ahead into Macedonia. He himself decided to remain in Ephesus until after Pentecost because the cause there still demanded his presence. An event hastened his departure.
He had long intended to visit Rome and greatly desired to bear witness for Christ there. Jewish hostility had seemed to frustrate his plans, and he did not expect that he would reach Rome as a prisoner. The Lord assured him that he would testify there.
The chapter records the same reception of the promised blessing and power as the early apostles, when those who received it spoke in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance, showing that this tongues experience belongs to believers today.