Why did Mark turn back?
By Peter Murcott
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
Several explanations have been proffered by Bible commentators as to why Mark (called “John” in Acts 13:13)1 turned back during Barnabas’ and Saul’s missionary journey. The Scriptures do not spell out the reason, beyond the fact that when they reached Perga, seemingly without warning, he returned to Jerusalem. This rather surprising conduct will be discussed below; but first the scene needs to be set.
1. The Incident
The starting point is Acts 13:2at Antioch, where Barnabas and Saul (note the order) were separated by the Holy Spirit for missionary service. The passage shows that, after the brethren had fasted and prayed, they laid hands on them and sent them away. They were directed by the Holy Spirit to Cyprus. Up to then, Mark is not mentioned. He first appears in Acts 13:5 when Barnabas and Saul were preaching in Salamis.
What happened next? There is no record of any opposition in Salamis, unlike some of Paul’s experiences elsewhere. This is significant, because it has been mooted that Mark turned back at Perga, simply because he didn’t like the work. Further details are needed to see why. After all, there were no riots or public disorder in Cyprus. No one was dragged before the authorities, such as happened to Jason at Thessalonica.2 No one was reported to the Roman Pro-consul, such as happened to Paul at Corinth.3 On the contrary, when they reached Paphos, Sergius Paulus asked to see them and wanted to hear the Word of God.4
At that point, they met their first obstacle. Sergius Paulus was under the malign influence of a Jewish sorcerer, called Bar-jesus, who did his utmost to turn him away from the faith. No doubt, Bar-jesus, also called Elymas,5 was afraid that his influence over the Pro-consul would vanish. Yet, his machinations came to nothing; because Paul dealt with him severely by declaring that he would be blind for a season.6 That had a profoundly beneficial effect upon Sergius Paulus. But what about Mark? Did Paul’s demonstration of God-given authority over the powers of darkness strengthen his faith and fortify him for any future spiritual conflict? Or did it make him afraid, rather like the effect that the casting out of the Legion by Jesus from the man in the Gadarenes had upon the local people? (See: Mark 5:16,17).
In due course, Paul, Barnabas and Mark left Cyprus for Perga in Pamphylia, nowadays located in Southern Turkey. It was then, for no apparent reason, that Mark left them for Jerusalem.
2. The Inquiry
Was it a sudden departure? It would seem that it was. Whether he had thought through the ramifications of what he was doing is debatable.
A Bible map shows that he would have had a very long journey ahead. As a lone traveller, he would not have been without danger. This is an important point, because some commentators think that he was afraid of continuing beyond Perga because of bandits. But surely the same could equally be said about travelling to Jerusalem – indeed, more so for one travelling alone. Remember that, in the parable of the Good Samaritan, Christ Himself referred to the robbers on the Jericho road.
So why did Mark turn back? Some have contended that he headed for Jerusalem, rather than Antioch, because, as Acts 12:12 tells us, his mother Mary lived there. In short, he was homesick, and went back to his mum! That hardly does him any favours!
Mark’s choice of Jerusalem, rather than Antioch, may be better explained like this. Had he returned to Antioch, awkward questions might have been asked about Paul and Barnabas’ whereabouts. That would have been very embarrassing.
Offended?
Another suggestion is that Mark took offence because, after Sergius Paulus’ conversion, Paul, rather than Barnabas, became the leader of the mission. Read Acts 13:2.The Holy Spirit said: “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Notice the order: “Barnabas and Saul”. In contrast, Acts 13:9 uses the name “Paul” for the first time. Verse 13 says that “Paul and his company…” left Paphos. Ah! the leadership had changed! Thereafter, Acts 13:43, 46 and 50 speak of “Paul and Barnabas”. That implies that Paul, rather than Barnabas, was in charge.
Mark was Barnabas’ nephew.7 Did this have any bearing on his departure? Was it an act of protest? If so, it would have amounted to pure petulance on his part. Moreover, it is difficult to conceive that Barnabas would have supported him (see: Acts 15:36-39) on such fragile grounds.
An Evaluation
Surely the starting point is that Barnabas, who later fought Mark’s corner to the extent of causing a rift with Paul, must have had a substantial reason for doing so. This implies that he later discovered why Mark had left them at Perga. Otherwise, would he really have risked taking Mark with him thereafter to Cyprus?
A clue about his conduct lies in the conflict with Bar-jesus. Read Acts 13:6-12. Bar-jesus did everything that he could to prevent the Gospel from reaching Sergius Paulus. He failed, and he was subjected by Paul to condign punishment. But Satan, under whose control Bar-jesus acted, did not capitulate that easily. Remember that after he had tempted Christ in the wilderness, Scripture says that he departed for a season.8 If he bided his time with the Son of God, how much more would he have done so with ordinary mortals.
Sudden Fear
The party left Paphos for Perga, where Mark turned back. It was not a protest against a change of leadership. It was not through fear of being ambushed by robbers. It was not dissatisfaction with the mission thus far. Neither had it anything to do with his mother, Mary.
What was it, then? I suggest the reason was “sudden fear”, the seeds of which were sown in Cyprus. Read Proverbs 3:25: “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” This may be understood as a Satanic panic attack, an irrational fear coupled with a desire to escape from it as soon as possible. Those who have never experienced it may be inclined dismiss it, or, at least, find it hard to understand.
Because it is irrational, for those without the whole armour of God,9 it causes irrational conduct. So it was here. Mark was the weak link in the chain, and undoubtedly lacked the spiritual maturity to respond to Satan’s devices of which, unlike the others, he was relatively ignorant.10 Satan was angry at Bar-jesus’ defeat in the battle for Sergius Paulus’ soul. Like the people in the land of the Gadarenes, Mark was simply afraid, and he made off for Jerusalem. There he may have conferred with Peter, under whose ministry 1 Peter 5:13 implies he was converted. After all, had not Peter had a taste of sudden fear during Christ’s trial on the night of His arrest? Furthermore, Mark’s conduct divided Paul and Barnabas sharply – division being a very familiar and deadly device of the devil.
3. The Instruction
However, lest one should fall into the trap of overstating Satan’s power, remember the supremacy of God: that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.11 Yes; there was friction for a while between Paul and Barnabas, and between Paul and Mark; but it did not last.
Reconciliation
In God’s good time, Mark wrote his Gospel. In it, he recounted in considerable detail the account of Christ Jesus delivering the man in the Gadarenes of many devils, called Legion.12 Who would have supposed that a man, who had once taken flight through fear, would eventually do such a thing? In due course, he and Paul were reconciled; for Paul included Mark in the list of those who sent greetings to Philemon,13 describing him as one of his fellow-labourers; whilst in 2 Timothy 4:11,written subsequently, he described Mark as being profitable to him for the ministry.14
Once a friendship has been fractured, it can be hard, humanly speaking, to restore it. But the Christian faith is about the supernatural power of God. “Through God we shall do valiantly: for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.”15And who is a more malicious enemy than the adversary, who constantly seeks to divide one believer from another? Remember Christ’s prayer: “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” 16That prayer was graciously fulfilled in Paul and Mark. May we, too, strenuously seek its fulfilment amongst the brethren in this day and generation, for Jesus’ sake, Amen.
1 Read Acts 12:12: “John, whose surname was Mark”. See also: Acts 15:37-39.
2 At Thessalonica (Acts 17:5 & 7) there was an uproar, caused by the unbelieving Jews, leading to an assault upon Jason’s house.
3 See: Acts 18:12-16.
4 See: Acts 13:7.
5 Acts 13:8.
6 See: Acts 13:11.
7 See: Colossians 4:10.
8 See: Luke 4:13.
9 See: Ephesians 6:10-18.
10 See Paul’s comments in 2 Corinthians 2:11 & 14.
11 Romans 8:28.
12 See: Mark 5:1-20.
13 See: Philemon 24.
14 This must have been written later, because Demas is included in Philemon 24. By 2 Timothy 4:10 Demas had deserted Paul.
15 Psalm 60:12.
16 John 17:11.