And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Parallel translations
- WEB Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.
- 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 12:12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
- 2 Tim 4:11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
- Acts 13:5And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
- Phlm 1:24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
- Col 4:10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
- Acts 12:25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
- Acts 13:13Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
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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
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