Perga, a City in Ruin
2022.05.13
Paul and Barnabas passed through these towers in Perga, Pamphilya (AD 47) on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13). To those outside, the tower walls served as a guard against invaders, but to the inside, they served as a way to honor the gods and patrons of the city. Each of the naves (inset sections with arches on top) housed a marble statue, similar to the ones now displayed in the nearby museum.
Biblically, Perga is famous because it is where John (Mark) abandoned the missionary team and returned to Jerusalem. (For Mark’s reconciliation with Paul and his future ministry despite his early failure, see Colossians 4:10, Philemon 24, 2 Timothy 4:11, and 1 Peter 5:13. The Lord is merciful to His servants!)
The team also visited Perga a second time on the way home, speaking the word (Acts 14:25), meaning that these gates heard the gospel from the lips of the apostles.
Now the city stands in ruins, but the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ continues to go forth.
