Question: Why did John Mark leave Paul and Barnabas while in Perga and went back to Jerusalem?

Thank you for the Biblical question about John Mark, “Why did John Mark leave Paul and Barnabas while in Perga and went back to Jerusalem?”

Acts 13 says this, “13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down” (NIV).

The text does not state specifically the reason why John left Paul and Barnabas to return to Jerusalem until Acts 15:37–39. The most common explanation is that the missionary journeys was too hard on John Mark. He deserted them.

When one reads the hardship of the Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 11, he says this about his experience as an Apostle for the Lord, “Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food,[b] in cold and exposure” (NIV).

Could it be that it was too much for John Mark? It may well be that he wasn’t ready or didn’t count the cost of following Jesus.

Here are some other factors:

1. He was homesick and wanted to return home.
2. He wasn’t prepared for such a long trip. He may have thought it would be a short trip.
3. He may have felt that Paul took unnecessary risks in confronting the Jews and putting his own life in jeopardy.
4. He may have received a letter from home.
5. He may have felt unqualified to answer the questions that the Gentiles were asking him.

The Apostle Paul used the word, “deserted” them. For John Mark’s perspective, he had other reasons. It is interesting to note that John Mark was willing to go with Barnabas to Cyprus. Cyprus gave John Mark a fresh start where he can learn from Barnabas. At the end of Paul’s life, Paul asks for John Mark. He acknowledges that he has been helpful in the ministry.

SUMMARY: John Mark wasn’t prepared for the rigors of being a missionary with the Apostle Paul. He need mentoring and time to grow in the Lord.