Acts 20:16

Sail by Ephesus. That is, sail past, for to have stopped there would have meant unquestionably the expenditure of more time than Paul had to spare, in view of his intention to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost.

Pentecost. See on ch. 2:1. Just why Paul was so eager to be at Jerusalem for Pentecost is not recorded. Perhaps the gathering of Jewish Christians who would be there at that time from all over Palestine would make possible a more efficient distribution of the relief offering he was taking to Jerusalem. Or perhaps because of the outpouring of the Spirit at a previous Pentecost, this feast held a special place in Paul’s emotions. At all events, he had not completed his journey by Passover time (ch. 20:6), and as he was going to Jerusalem, it was only natural that he would wish to be there for the next feast.