Acts 13:13

The Apostles visit Pamphylia and Pisidia. Mark returns to Jerusalem

13. Now when Paul and his company Literally, "those around Paul." Henceforth the Apostle of the Gentiles becomes the central figure in nearly every scene of the Acts.

loosed[sailed] from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia They would sail to the north-west. Pamphylia was about the middle part of the southern seaboard of Asia Minor, and Perga was its capital. We are not told of any missionary labours in Perga at this time either because there was no opening for their commencement, or it may be that the Apostles were troubled at the departure of Mark. They did preach in Perga on their return visit (Acts 14:25).

and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem There is no reason given for his departure either here or elsewhere, but the cause assigned had clearly not been one which satisfied St Paul (Acts 15:38). John Mark, most probably the same person as the writer of the second Gospel, afterwards was an earnest labourer for Christ, and St Paul (Colossians 4:10) speaks of him with affection. If St Luke knew the cause of his present withdrawal, the remembrance of his subsequent zeal sealed his lips on the subject. Cp. Acts 10:48, note.