| Geneva Study Bible {6} Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. (6) An example in one and the very same group of people both of singular steadfastness, and also of great weakness. People's New Testament 13:13 Now when Paul and his company. Henceforth Paul is the leader. From Paphos they sailed northward to Perga on the Asiatic mainland, an important city of Pamphylia. John departing. Why he left we do not know, but we know Paul did not approve of it. See Ac 15:39. Perhaps he feared the dangers before him. Wesley's Notes 13:13 John withdrawing from them returned - Tired with the fatigue, or shrinking from danger. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary Ac 13:13-52. At Perga John Mark Forsakes Them-At Antioch in Pisidia, Paul Preaches with Glorious Effect-The Jews, Enraged, Expel Them Out of Them Coasts. 13. they came to Perga in Pamphylia-The distance from Paphos to Attalia, on the Gulf of Pamphylia (see on [2003]Ac 14:25), sailing in a northwest direction, is not much greater than from Seleucia to Salamis on the east. Perga was the metropolis of Pamphylia, on the river Cestrus, and about seven miles inland from Attalia. and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem-As Paul afterwards peremptorily refused to take Mark with him on his second missionary journey, because he "had departed [or 'fallen off'] from them and had not gone with them to the work" (Ac 15:38), there can be no doubt that he had either wearied of it or been deterred by the prospect of the dangers which lay before him. (But see on [2004]Ac 15:37, &c.). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 13:4-13 Satan is in a special manner busy with great men and men in power, to keep them from being religious, for their example will influence many. Saul is here for the first time called Paul, and never after Saul. Saul was his name as he was a Hebrew; Paul was his name as he was a citizen of Rome. Under the direct influence of the Holy Ghost, he gave Elymas his true character, but not in passion. A fulness of deceit and mischief together, make a man indeed a child of the devil. And those who are enemies to the doctrine of Jesus, are enemies to all righteousness; for in it all righteousness is fulfilled. The ways of the Lord Jesus are the only right ways to heaven and happiness. There are many who not only wander from these ways themselves, but set others against these ways. They commonly are so hardened, that they will not cease to do evil. The proconsul was astonished at the force of the doctrine upon his own heart and conscience, and at the power of God by which it was confirmed. The doctrine of Christ astonishes; and the more we know of it, the more reason we shall see to wonder at it. Those who put their hand to the plough and look back, are not fit for the kingdom of God. Those who are not prepared to face opposition, and to endure hardship, are not fitted for the work of the ministry. | 
