Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.
Parallel translations
- KJV And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
- BSB Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
- NKJV Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
- NASB Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also.
- NLT Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark along again. A disagreement over a coworker began here.
Overview
Barnabas, true to his character as an encourager (his name means 'son of encouragement'), wished to give John Mark another opportunity. This sets up the sharp dispute that follows. The episode reveals that even faithful leaders can differ over practical matters of ministry.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Acts 12:12Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
- 2 Tim 4:11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
- Acts 13:5When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They had also John as their attendant.
- Phlm 1:24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
- Col 4:10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”),
- Acts 12:25Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John who was called Mark.
- Acts 13:13Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 15:37 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.