Acts 13:13

IN PERGA. Acts 13:13.

13

Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 13:13 Paul now steps into the lead in the cause of Christ. When Paphos was entered Luke stated: and when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos. now upon leaving the city the historian says Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos. A great change had taken place. God had been leading Paul to this very moment. He had waited and worked patiently until God prompted him to take this position.

The town of Perga is located some few miles up from the coast of Asia Minor in the province of Pamphylia. From this place we find John Mark leaving. He sailed from here back to his home in Jerusalem. This incident displeased Paul intensely and formed the basis for a disagreement between him and Barnabas at a later time. (Acts 15:37-40). Why John Mark left is a subject of quite some discussion. The ideas vary from homesickness to divine unction. It does seem that since Paul says: He would not go with us to the work that the reason lay in some objection to the work to be done. Whether it was a faint heart in consideration of the trials ahead we have no way of knowing, but we are disposed to this view. We must not leave the work of Mark here for he was later accepted back into the favor of Paul as a man to be received and heeded. (Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11). He also labored in the gospel with Barnabas (Acts 15:40) and wrote our second gospel which bears his name.

430.

What great change is noted in the description of Luke relative to the approach and leaving of Paphos?

431.

Tell three facts concerning the departure of John Mark from Perga.

432.

Why do you think he left?