It was here that Mark, overwhelmed with fear and discouragement, wavered for a time in his purpose to give himself wholeheartedly to the Lord's work. Unused to hardships, he was disheartened by the perils and privations of the way. He had labored with success under favorable 170 circumstances; but now, amidst the opposition and perils that so often beset the pioneer worker, he failed to endure hardness as a good soldier of the cross. He had yet to learn to face danger and persecution and adversity with a brave heart. As the apostles advanced, and still greater difficulties were apprehended, Mark was intimidated and, losing all courage, refused to go farther and returned to Jerusalem.

Her var det, at Markus, som var overvældet af frygt og modløshed, for en tid vaklede i sin beslutning om helt og fuldt at overgive sig til Herrens tjeneste. Han var ikke vant til besværligheder, og han tabte modet under rejsens farer og savn. Under gunstige omstændigheder havde han tidligere arbejdet med godt resultat; men nu, midt blandt den modstand og de farer, som så ofte omgiver pionerarbejdet, havde han ikke mod til at tåle de strenge forhold som en god korsets stridsmand. Han måtte endnu lære at møde farer og forfølgelse og modgang med et tappert sind. Efterhånden som apostlene drog videre, og der var endnu større vanskeligheder i vente, blev Markus bange og tabte helt modet. Han nægtede at rejse videre og vendte tilbage til Jerusalem.