Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
John Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia and left the work (Acts 15:38). The Bible does not say why Mark deserted, but his departure came right after a mostly fruitless time in Cyprus (Acts 13:4–12).
Mark Abruptly Leaves. It must have occasioned deep sorrow to Paul and Barnabas, and possibly even then some mutual estrangement, and afterwards it became the cause of their quarrel and separation (Acts 15:37 - 39). Mark "departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work."
Acts 15.36-41 takes place just before Paul leaves on his second missionary journey. While he and Barnabas put their affairs in order and planned out the relevant details of the trip, a disagreement arose between them regarding whether or not John Mark should accompany them. Let’s take a look at what Luke writes:
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.
Barnabas, ever the encourager, was unwilling to leave John Mark behind. A “sharp disagreement” arose between them, and they parted ways. From that point on, Barnabas traveled with John Mark, and Paul chose Silas as his companion in ministry (Acts 15:36–41).
Luke describes the rift that opened between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark in his typical understated way: “There arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other” (Acts 15:39).
The reasons for John Mark's departure to Jerusalem and the subsequent disagreement between Paul and Barnabas have been subject to much speculation. Matthew Henry, for example, suggested that John Mark had departed "without [Barnabas and Paul's] knowledge, or without their consent". [5]
Between Paul and Barnabas, who was right about taking or not taking John Mark? Barnabas prioritized John Mark being given a second chance, while Paul prioritized having a reliable partner for the rigors of missionary work.
In Perga John Mark Leaves. Paul And Barnabas Go On To Pisidian Antioch. 13 And having put-to-sea from Paphos, the ones around Paul came to Perga of Pamphylia. But John, having departed from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 But they, having gone through from Perga, arrived at Pisidian Antioch.
So sharp was the contention between the two elder missionaries that, in the end, Paul departed with Silas while Barnabas took Mark and set sail for his native Cyprus. Mark now drops out of the account of Acts, it being wholly concerned with the further activities of Paul.