As was his custom, Paul had begun his work at Ephesus by preaching in the synagogue of the Jews. He continued to labor there for three months, "disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God." At first he met with a favorable reception; but as in other fields, he was soon violently opposed. "Divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude." As they persisted in their rejection of the gospel, the apostle ceased to preach in the synagogue.

Som det var Paulus skik, havde han begyndt sin virksomhed i Efesus med at prædike i synagogen for jøderne. Han vedblev med dette arbejde i tre måneder og "prædikede frimodigt og overbevisende om Guds rige." Først fik han en gunstig modtagelse; men ligesom andre steder mødte han snart heftig modstand. "Nogle forhærdede sig og ville ikke lade sig overbevise, men talte ondt om "vejen" i forsamlingens påhør." Da de vedblev med at stille sig afvisende overfor evangeliet, holdt apostlen op med at tale i synagogen.