Acts 13 13

Acts 13:13 kjv

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 13:13 nkjv

Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 13:13 niv

From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.

Acts 13:13 esv

Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,

Acts 13:13 nlt

Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 13 Meaning

This verse transitions the narrative of the Apostle Paul's first missionary journey. It details the journey of Paul and his team, highlighting Paul's emerging leadership, as they sail from Paphos in Cyprus to Perga in the Roman province of Pamphylia on the mainland of Asia Minor. Significantly, it also records the departure of John Mark from the missionary team, who returned to Jerusalem.

Acts 13 13 Context

Acts 13 marks a pivotal shift in the book of Acts, as the primary focus moves from Peter and the ministry to the Jews to Paul and the extensive Gentile mission. The verse immediately follows the successful and eventful ministry of Paul and Barnabas in Paphos, Cyprus, where Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, believed, and Elymas the sorcerer was judged. This initial leg of their journey demonstrated God's power and approval of their mission. Acts 13:13 then signals the team's strategic move from an island setting (Cyprus) to the mainland of Asia Minor, initiating their efforts in new Roman provinces. John Mark's departure interrupts this progression, introducing a personal challenge into the divine mission. This context highlights the dynamics of early Christian missionary work, encompassing divine direction, strategic travel, successful outreach, and internal challenges among team members. Historically, Perga was the capital of Pamphylia, an important Roman province for travel and trade, indicating a move towards more established Roman administrative centers.

Acts 13 13 Word analysis

• Now (Greek: De - δέ): A common conjunction in Greek, indicating a natural transition or continuation in the narrative. It connects the events in Paphos to the next phase of the missionary journey.

• when Paul (Greek: Paul kai hoi peri Paulon - Παῦλος καὶ οἱ περὶ Παῦλον): Literally "Paul and those around Paul." This is a significant stylistic and leadership shift in Luke's narrative. Prior to this, Barnabas was often listed first (Acts 13:2, 13:7), or the order varied. This phrasing implicitly highlights Paul's emerging and solidifying leadership within the missionary team. His Roman name "Paul" has also been consistently used since Acts 13:9.

• and his companions: Reinforces the idea that Paul is now the focal point, with Barnabas and John Mark (and likely others) serving with him. This reflects Paul's increasingly prominent role in leading the Gentile mission.

• set sail (Greek: anachthēntes - ἀναχθέντες): A specific nautical term meaning "to put to sea" or "to embark." It vividly describes their departure by ship, indicating a journey over water from the island of Cyprus to the mainland of Asia Minor.

• from Paphos (Greek: apo Paphoy - ἀπὸ Πάφου): The capital of Cyprus, which they were now leaving. This city had just witnessed significant evangelistic success and a miraculous display of divine power over spiritual opposition, marking the completion of their ministry on the island.

• they came (Greek: ēlthon - ἦλθον): A simple past tense verb denoting a straightforward arrival, emphasizing the directness of their journey to the specified location.

• to Perga (Greek: eis Pergēn - εἰς Πέργην): A notable city in the Roman province of Pamphylia, serving as its capital. It was strategically located, being somewhat inland from the coast but accessible. Its inclusion here marks their entry into a new geographical region for missionary outreach.

• in Pamphylia (Greek: tēs Pamphylias - τῆς Παμφυλίας): A coastal Roman province situated in southern Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). This denotes a critical expansion of the missionary effort from an island into the mainland, extending the reach of the Gospel further into the Roman Empire.

• And John (Greek: Ho de Iōannēs - Ὁ δὲ Ἰωάννης): Refers to John Mark, who initially joined the team as a "helper" or "attendant" (Acts 13:5). He was Barnabas's cousin (Col 4:10).

• left them (Greek: apochōrēsen - ἀποχωρήσεν): Literally "separated himself" or "withdrew." While the term itself is neutral, in this narrative context and especially in light of Paul's later reaction (Acts 15:38), it conveys a sense of desertion or abandonment of his duties within the ongoing mission.

• and returned (Greek: hypostrepsas - ὑποστρέψας): Meaning "having turned back" or "having gone back." This implies a reversal of direction, an interruption of the forward momentum of the missionary journey, signifying a withdrawal from the commitment.

• to Jerusalem (Greek: eis Hierosolyma - εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα): The spiritual hub of early Christianity and the original "home base" for many believers. Returning there signifies a departure from the arduous missionary frontier to a place of greater safety and familiarity.

• "Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos": This phrase succinctly conveys two crucial points. First, the formal acknowledgment of Paul's leadership (from "Barnabas and Saul" to "Paul and his companions"), highlighting his rising influence. Second, it signifies the geographical movement of the Gospel from Cyprus to the Asia Minor mainland, part of the strategic advance of the missionary journey.

• "they came to Perga in Pamphylia": This indicates the specific new region they entered for their evangelistic endeavors. As Perga was a provincial capital, this signifies targeting a strategic city, even though the text does not record immediate ministry there on this initial visit (compare with Acts 14:25 when they return). This might suggest an intended staging point for further travel inland or perhaps a brief stop.

• "And John left them and returned to Jerusalem": This terse statement captures a defining moment. John Mark's unexplained departure introduces a human challenge within the divinely orchestrated mission. It foreshadows the significant disagreement between Paul and Barnabas later on (Acts 15:37-39) and underscores the personal difficulties and sacrifices involved in pioneering missionary work. His decision to return to Jerusalem implies abandoning the active mission field, for reasons not detailed by Luke but carrying weighty implications for team dynamics and commitment.

Acts 13 13 Bonus section

This verse initiates a significant geographical shift in Paul's first missionary journey, moving from an island context to the Roman province of Pamphylia on the mainland of Asia Minor. While Perga is mentioned, there is no immediate account of preaching there on this initial arrival. Scholars suggest Perga may have served as a brief stop or a strategic entry point for travel into the interior region of Pisidia (specifically Antioch of Pisidia, which they reach in Acts 13:14), rather than an immediate focus of ministry. This move into a region known for its harsh terrain and susceptibility to malaria might have influenced John Mark's decision to return to Jerusalem. His departure is a foundational point for understanding subsequent events, most notably the heated contention between Paul and Barnabas recorded in Acts 15. The exact reason for John Mark's withdrawal remains ambiguous in the text, allowing for diverse interpretations (e.g., discomfort with increasing focus on Gentiles, longing for Jerusalem's familiarity, family reasons, or health concerns). However, Luke's inclusion of this event underscores the very human element of early Christian missions, highlighting the challenges of perseverance, commitment, and team dynamics, even among those directly commissioned by the Holy Spirit. Despite this apparent failure, John Mark’s future usefulness to the early church (evident in Col 4:10, 2 Tim 4:11, Phlm 1:24, and potentially 1 Pet 5:13) serves as a profound testimony to grace, restoration, and the Lord's ability to repurpose and sanctify individuals for His service over time. This short verse thus sets the stage for both the expansion of the Gospel and important lessons in ministry leadership and personal growth.

Acts 13 13 Commentary

Acts 13:13, though brief, encapsulates crucial aspects of the nascent Christian mission. Firstly, it subtly underlines Paul's ascent to primary leadership within the missionary team ("Paul and his companions"), signifying the shift from the Jerusalem-centric focus to a wider Gentile mission. The move from Paphos to Perga demonstrates a strategic progression in the spread of the Gospel, expanding geographically from an island into the important Roman province of Pamphylia on the mainland. This deliberate travel signifies the determined pursuit of the Great Commission. Most poignantly, the verse records John Mark's abrupt and unexplained departure. His decision to abandon the journey and return to Jerusalem, while the others pressed on into unknown territories, posed an immediate challenge to team morale and later became the flashpoint for a deep division between Paul and Barnabas. While Luke offers no explicit reason for John Mark's withdrawal—speculations range from homesickness or fear of hardship to disagreements over mission strategy or leadership—it reveals the human frailty and personal cost inherent in following Christ's call to missionary service. Nevertheless, this episode ultimately testifies to God's redemptive power, as John Mark later reconciled with Paul and proved useful for ministry, showcasing the Lord's ability to restore and repurpose individuals for His glory despite past failures.

• Example 1: Modern mission teams may encounter similar challenges where members withdraw due to unforeseen difficulties, emphasizing the need for robust pastoral care and team resilience.
• Example 2: John Mark's story offers hope and a model of restoration for those who have stumbled in their faith or ministry, illustrating that a past misstep does not preclude future usefulness.
• Example 3: Leaders like Paul sometimes have to make tough decisions or face difficult disagreements concerning team members, highlighting the complexities of ministry leadership.