perga Summary and Overview

the capital of Pamphylia, on the coast of Asia Minor. Paul and his companions landed at this place from Cyprus on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:13, 14), and here Mark forsook the party and returned to Jerusalem. Some time afterwards Paul and Barnabas again visited this city and "preached the word" (14:25). It stood on the banks of the river Cestrus, some 7 miles from its mouth, and was a place of some commercial importance. It is now a ruin, called Eski Kalessi.

(earthy), a city of Pamphylia, #Ac 13:13| situated on the river Cestius, at a distance of 60 stadia (7 1/2 miles) from its mouth, and celebrated in antiquity for the worship of Artemis (Diana).

PER'GA (extremity, or place of nuptials), a city of Pamphylia. a province of Asia Minor, and situated on the river Cestrus, about 7 1/2 miles from the sea. It was the original capital of the province. The inhabitants were Greeks, and had a temple, a stadium, theatres, and a far-famed temple of Diana, standing on a high eminence. Coins of Perga have been found bearing the image of this celebrated goddess. Paul and Barnabas, with Mark, landed at Perga in the spring, when the roads to Pisidia would be cleared of snow. Paul preached in the city, and Mark here forsook him and returned to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13; Acts 14:25. There are extensive ruins at the place, which is now called Eski Kalessi by the Turks.

On the river Cestrus, then navigable up to the city; in Pamphylia. (See PAMPHYLIA.) The scene of John Mark's deserting Paul. Its inhabitants retreat during the unhealthy summer heats up to the cool hollows (the Yailahs) in the Pisidian hills. Paul came in May when the passes would be cleared of snow, and would join a Pamphylian company on their way to the Pisidian heights (Acts 13:13), and would return with them on his way from Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 14:24-25). He and Barnabas preached here.