### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **Pérgē**, represented by `{{G4011}}`, refers to **Perga**, a place in Asia Minor. The name is understood to mean **a tower**. It appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses** in the Bible, exclusively within the book of Acts. It serves as a significant location in the narrative of Paul's early missionary journeys.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{G4011}}` marks a key point during the first missionary journey of Paul and his companions. They first **came** `{{G2064}}` to **Perga** `{{G4011}}` in Pamphylia after leaving Paphos [[Acts 13:13]]. This location is notable as the place where **John** `{{G2491}}` Mark **departing** `{{G672}}` from them to **return** `{{G5290}}` to Jerusalem [[Acts 13:13]]. From **Perga** `{{G4011}}`, the missionaries **departed** `{{G1330}}` and traveled to Antioch in Pisidia [[Acts 13:14]]. Later, on their return journey, they stopped in **Perga** `{{G4011}}` again, this time to **preach** `{{G2980}}` the **word** `{{G3056}}` before continuing on to Attalia [[Acts 14:25]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help situate **Perga** within the context of the apostolic journeys:
* `{{G3828}}` **Pamphylía** (Pamphylia): This word identifies the region in Asia Minor where **Perga** was located, described as **Perga** in **Pamphylia** [[Acts 13:13]]. It provides the broader geographical setting for the events.
* `{{G1330}}` **diérchomai** (to traverse): This verb describes the missionaries' movement as they **departed** from Perga to continue their journey to Antioch in Pisidia, emphasizing the nature of their travels [[Acts 13:14]].
* `{{G2980}}` **laléō** (to talk, i.e. utter words): This term is used for the action of preaching. Paul and his companions **preached** the word in **Perga** on their return trip, highlighting the city's role as a site for missionary work [[Acts 14:25]].
### Theological Significance
While a geographical location, the events surrounding `{{G4011}}` carry theological significance.
* **Expansion of the Gospel:** **Perga** serves as a key waypoint in the first missionary journey, illustrating the strategic movement of the apostles as they carried the gospel message into new regions [[Acts 13:13]].
* **A Place of Departure:** The city is the setting where **John** `{{G2491}}` **departed** from Paul and his company [[Acts 13:13]]. This incident, which took place in **Pamphylia** `{{G3828}}`, highlights the human challenges and differing levels of commitment involved in the work of the ministry [[Acts 15:38]].
* **Fulfillment of the Mission:** On their return, the apostles **preached** `{{G2980}}` the **word** `{{G3056}}` in **Perga** [[Acts 14:25]]. This act fulfills the core purpose of their journey, which is the proclamation of the divine message, the very **Word** `{{G3056}}` that was with God and was God [[John 1:1]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G4011}}` **Perga** is more than a simple geographical marker. It is a specific location in the book of Acts where the progress of the early church's mission is chronicled. It functions as a backdrop for significant narrative developments, including the arrival of the apostles in a new region, a difficult departure that tested the missionary team, and the faithful proclamation of the word. The story of **Perga** thus encapsulates both the strategic expansion and the personal challenges inherent in the work of the early gospel ministry.
TRV