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Missionary Journeys Collection

MJ-005

Perga in Pamphylia

A New Region, a Difficult Departure, and the Road Ahead

“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, NKJV

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Welcome to the Exhibit

From Cyprus to Asia Minor

Paul and his companions have completed the Cyprus stage of the journey. From Paphos they sail north across the Mediterranean and enter Pamphylia on the southern coast of Asia Minor.

Acts records the arrival at Perga with only a few words, but one important change immediately occurs: John Mark leaves the team and returns to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas continue onward.

Journey Orientation

Where Are We in Paul’s Journey?

Current Stop: Perga in Pamphylia

The Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum & Resource Centre

Missionary Journeys Permanent Collection

Perga in Pamphylia

Acts 13:13

Exhibit MJ-005
Approximate Date Mid-First Century AD
Ancient Region Pamphylia, Asia Minor
Modern Location Aksu District, Antalya Province

Biblical Significance: Perga marks the missionary team’s arrival in Asia Minor. It is also the place where John Mark leaves Paul and Barnabas and returns to Jerusalem.

The Biblical Record

Acts 13:13

“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, NKJV

Biblical Context

John Mark Leaves the Team

Acts Does Not Tell Us Why

Luke tells us that John Mark left Paul and Barnabas at Perga and returned to Jerusalem, but Acts 13 does not give the reason.

That silence is important. Rather than inventing a motive, the museum should preserve the distinction between what the biblical text states and what later readers may speculate.

The Departure Matters Later

John Mark’s decision was not forgotten. Acts 15 records that Paul later viewed his earlier departure seriously enough to disagree with Barnabas over whether Mark should accompany them on another journey.

Yet the New Testament story of Mark does not end in failure. Later passages show that Paul again regarded Mark as useful in ministry.

Historical Background

Perga: A Major City of Pamphylia

A Planned Greco-Roman City

Ancient Perga became an important urban centre of Pamphylia. The surviving city plan reveals monumental streets, public buildings, fountains, baths, an agora, theatre, and stadium.

The scale of these remains helps visitors appreciate that Paul and Barnabas were entering a sophisticated urban world shaped by Hellenistic and Roman culture.

From the Coast Toward the Interior

Perga stands inland from the Mediterranean coast in the broad Pamphylian plain. From this region Paul and Barnabas continued northward toward Pisidian Antioch.

The journey now changes character. The sea crossing from Cyprus is behind them, and the road ahead leads toward the interior highlands of Asia Minor.

Archaeologist’s Note

Perga preserves one of the most impressive ancient urban landscapes in the Antalya region. The visible remains show the scale and organization of the city in the Roman period.

  • Colonnaded streets
  • Agora and civic spaces
  • Monumental fountains
  • Roman baths
  • Theatre and stadium
  • Hellenistic towers and city gates

Museum Note: Many of the best-preserved monumental structures were built or altered after Paul’s first-century visit. They illuminate Perga’s continuing importance but should not all be presented as structures Paul personally saw in their surviving form.

Explore Perga Today

The archaeological site of Perge is located near modern Aksu, east of Antalya in southern Türkiye.

Ancient City
Perga / Perge
Ancient Region
Pamphylia
Modern Province
Antalya
Journey Role
Gateway into Asia Minor
View Perga on Google Maps

Did You Know?

Four Details That Shape the Story

01

A New Continent of Ministry

Perga marks the transition from the island of Cyprus into the mainland regions of Asia Minor.

02

John Mark Returned to Jerusalem

Acts records the departure clearly but does not give the reason, reminding us to distinguish Scripture from speculation.

03

Perga Was a Major City

Its monumental streets, baths, theatre, stadium, and public spaces reveal the importance of Perga in the ancient region.

04

The Team Would Return

Acts 14 later records Paul and Barnabas returning through Perga on their homeward journey and preaching the Word there.

Why This Stop Matters

The Mission Continues When the Team Changes

Perga reminds us that significant ministry journeys are not always marked by steady momentum. Sometimes plans change, people leave, and the road becomes more difficult than expected.

John Mark’s departure changed the team, but it did not end the mission. Paul and Barnabas continued toward Pisidian Antioch, where one of Paul’s major recorded sermons awaited.

Curator’s Reflection

Changed Plans Do Not Mean a Finished Calling

At Perga, the missionary team suddenly becomes smaller. Scripture does not hide the moment or explain it away.

Yet Paul and Barnabas do not interpret the change as the end of their assignment. They continue forward.

A difficult change in the journey does not necessarily mean the journey itself is over.

Perga invites us to distinguish between a changing circumstance and an unchanged calling.

— Praise Aflame™ Biblical Museum & Resource Centre

Life Application

Keep Moving When the Journey Changes

We do not always know why people leave, why plans change, or why a particular season becomes more difficult. Perga shows us that faithful obedience sometimes means continuing with fewer answers than we would prefer.

Consider: Is there an assignment, responsibility, or act of obedience you still need to continue even though circumstances have changed?

Before You Continue...

What Have You Received?

Every exhibit is designed to encourage you to return to Scripture with greater understanding, deeper confidence, and renewed wonder.

Take a Quiet Moment: What did Perga teach you about perseverance, changing circumstances, relationships, and continuing faithfully when the road ahead is uncertain?

Explore More

Related Museum Resources

Previous Exhibit

MJ-004 Paphos

Return to Cyprus, where Paul confronted Elymas and Sergius Paulus heard the Word of God.

Interactive Resource

First Missionary Journey Map

Follow the complete route from Antioch through Cyprus and Asia Minor, one stop at a time.

Missionary Journeys

The Journey of Paul

Explore the larger story of Paul’s calling, ministry, travels, churches, opposition, and perseverance.

Continue Your Journey

Next Destination: Pisidian Antioch

You have now completed Exhibit MJ-005 — Perga. Paul and Barnabas now leave Pamphylia and continue inland toward Pisidian Antioch.

There Paul will enter the synagogue, trace God’s work through Israel’s history, proclaim Jesus, and deliver one of the most substantial sermons recorded from the First Missionary Journey.

← Previous: MJ-004 Paphos Interactive Journey Map Next: MJ-006 Pisidian Antioch →

Carry the Word With You

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Psalm 119:105, NKJV