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From these references it would appear that "the work" actually began when the
apostles, by themselves, evangelized the cities of Asia Minor, and it must also be noted
that on the return journey Cyprus was not included. Moreover, when Paul proposed to
visit "every city where we have preached the Word of God" (Acts 15: 36) he apparently
had no intention of revisiting Salamis or Paphos in Cyprus, for he went through Syria and
Cilicia and on to Derbe. Pamphylia, as its name means, was "the-all-tribe" land. Cyprus
was under one governor, and was tolerably peaceful, but Pamphylia and the countries
beyond were likely to inspire the traveler with dread. For years Pamphylia had been a
stronghold of pirates and robbers, and in the lower regions of the country malaria was
rife. The apostle's words: "In journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers"
(II Cor. 11: 26) would well describe the dangers that intimidated John Mark. We, in our
own land, have no experience of a flooding river such as would menace the safety and
life of a traveler in Asia Minor. To a wavering disciple the vast central plain of Asia
Minor, rising higher than Ben Nevis, with inland seas of salt to make the journey even
more harassing, would also be daunting.
The facts that Paul made no stay in Perga at his first visit, but preached there on his
return (Acts 13: 13, 14; 14: 25) suggests that the apostle had taken ship for Cyprus at
the "opening" of the sea, that is in March, and so would arrive at Perga about May.
Earlier in the year, the passes would be blocked with snow, and later the approaching
winter would render the journey unsafe. In the month of May the inhabitants of Perga
moved from the plains to the hills. Within recent times these yailaks, or summer retreats,
have been described by travelers. If therefore Paul found the majority of the inhabitants
of Perga on the move, it would account for his silence, and, possibly, also for John
Mark's sudden fright. Moreover we find that the apostle often passed by smaller towns
for the great centre of commerce or government, leaving to the church formed by his
efforts the work of evangelizing the surrounding district. Whatever the cause, Antioch in
Pisidia was the apostle's goal.
Antioch was a Roman colony and a centre of great importance.
"They came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day,
and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the
synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of
exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up and beckoning with his hand said
. . . . ." (Acts 13: 14-16).
As the synagogue plays such an important part in the early spread of the gospel, we
take this opportunity of describing its officers and order of service, and giving other
particulars that illuminate the Scripture record.
A synagogue could only be formed where there were at least ten men, preferably
students of the law. The fact that the Lord used the number ten in His parables is
reminiscent of this fact.
The Talmud says: