“But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 13:14 Mean?
"But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down." This verse marks a pivotal moment in Acts: Paul and Barnabas arrive at Pisidian Antioch (distinct from Syrian Antioch, their sending church). This is also where John Mark left the team, heading back to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas press on into the interior of Asia Minor — higher elevation, more dangerous roads, further from the coast.
They enter the synagogue and "sat down" — the posture of a learner or visitor, waiting to be invited to speak (which they are, in v. 15). The pattern of entering synagogues continues, but the geographical context has shifted dramatically. They're now deep in Roman territory, far from home, and the sermon Paul delivers here will be his longest recorded address.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Who has 'left at Perga' in your life — and how are you handling the smaller team?
- 2.What does it mean to 'sit down' humbly in a new environment rather than demanding attention?
- 3.How do you continue a calling when key people leave the journey?
- 4.When has a smaller team or fewer resources actually clarified your mission?
Devotional
John Mark left at Perga. And Paul and Barnabas kept going. Deeper into unfamiliar territory, further from safety, up into the mountains of Pisidia. The team just got smaller, the journey just got harder, and they walked into a synagogue and sat down.
Sometimes the people you started with won't finish with you. That's not always failure — sometimes it's just the reality of calling. John Mark had his reasons for leaving. Paul and Barnabas had their reasons for staying. And the mission continued with a smaller team and a harder road.
The detail that they "sat down" is quietly beautiful. They didn't burst in demanding attention. They didn't announce themselves as apostles. They entered as visitors, took their seats, and waited to be invited into the conversation. There's a humility in that posture that makes their eventual boldness more credible. They earned the right to speak by first showing the willingness to listen.
If someone has recently left your journey — a partner, a friend, a collaborator — and the road ahead looks harder without them, Paul and Barnabas show you what to do. Keep going. Walk into the next room. Sit down. Wait for the invitation. The mission isn't over because the team changed. Sometimes God thins the team to clarify the calling.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
But when they departed from Perga,.... Where they seemed not to make any long stay; nor is there any account of what…
They came to Antioch in Pisidia - Pisidia was a province of Asia Minor, and was situated north of Pamphylia. Antioch was…
They came to Antioch in Pisidia - This place is mentioned thus to distinguish it from Antioch in Syria, with which it…
Perga in Pamphylia was a noted place, especially for a temple there erected to the goddess Diana, yet nothing at all is…
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia Better, "But they having passed through from Perga,…
Cross References
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