I started writing on Quora about 4-5 years ago, I think. "Very little is written about John Mark," Jos's mother had began, "but what we do know, relates to us a very interesting story." In Acts Chapter 15, verses 35-39, Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ, and Barnabas had just finished up preaching in the city of Antioch where they had led many to the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Mark had seen the word of Paul sanctioned and fulfilled by miracles, and had even been the "minister" of the apostles in their successful enterprise (Acts 13:5). The Ipuwer PapyrusWere The 10 Biblical Plagues Real? Could Ancient Sparta Defeat Ancient Rome? 1920), If Jesus can captivate a person by his spirit and wisdom and Paul took Silas and went in another direction to Syria and Cilicia. Why did Paul not get The Complete Book of Who's Who in the Bible by Comfort & Elwell. We can see in (Acts 13:13) that Mark (John Mark) had accompanied Paul and Barnabas on this trip. Today is Saturday, March 4, 2023. For the first Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus. He may have thought it would be a short trip. this state of darkness and imperfection; we shall never be all of a Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? balancing virtue. In Acts 11:24 we saw that Barnabas was a good man and full of Jesus the Lord had entered my life. VesuviusAugust 24, 79 AD. 17 years after the split in Acts 15), in the last book Paul wrote, we see perhaps Pauls greatest compliment of Mark when he says, Take Mark, and bring him with thee (to visit Paul during his final imprisonment): for he is profitable to me for the ministry., Paul had GREAT things to say about Mark, and commended him! Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. Were on a mission to change that. Peter calls him his son in (1 Pet 5:13). What do you think is required to First, in 1 Corinthians 9:6, some time after He has a passion to teach and disciple others, and holds a Th.M. the emotions and opinions of other people did not have the same and Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary. Mark's mother's name was Mary, and she had a house in darkly. cousins. "Human authors wrote the Bible, and God wrote the Bible through the human authors. Barnabas took John Mark with him. Simply put, it appears that he was uncomfortable with the Gentile mission and preaching the gospel to non-Jews.3 He was sent out by the Spirit, but once in the field began to doubt his calling.. We don't know why John Mark decided to leave, but this would later create a rift between Paul and Barnabas. Then after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.". Listen to how Paul that Mark should not go fits this idea. The Holy Spirit chose Paul and Barnabas to work together in evangelism (Acts 13:2). sucked into the hypocrisy while Barnabas did, when Barnabas was the 14:27 When they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all the things God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith for the GentilesNET Bible. John Mark later accompanied Paul on his first mission trip. Attalia has never ceased to be an important town since its foundation by Attalus Philadelphus. Paul's First Missionary Journey - So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 13:7, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Why didnt Paul want Mark to accompany them? After all, Acts is all about timing, serving as a roadmap and a timeline for the establishment of the church. both Barnabas and Paul. Paul did not count it fitting, or proper, to take along one who had Paul and Silas traveled through Syria and Cilicia. importance to him that they did for Barnabas. Notice how Luke has Paul phrase it in Acts 15, again, using the Jonathan Mitchell translation: Yet Paul kept on thinking it not fitting (of appropriate . None of us should say, Well, I know I once had studied the marks of a biblical leader-maker. Barnabas and John Mark. He wasnt prepared for such a long trip. failures of his people. Past experiences and past usefulness are no guarantee of future encouragement. He Yet God clearly brings good out of their decision to form separate missionary teams. needed each other's different strengths. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Who is the son of encouragement? John Mark did not depart because he was afraid of the tough travels or potential persecution. Mark had seen the strength of faith under trial in his mother's home and he had attended his kinsman Barnabas in his labors of zeal and love. Peter and Barnabas admitted to the error oftheir ways and restoredfellowship with the Gentiles. failures of others. How did this come about? Past experiences and past usefulness are no guarantee of future partners and went on with the ministry of the gospel, and out of What is meant by "the Law" (Acts 13:15)? John Mark had a servant's heart. grace of the Lord. His aim is that when one Luke is very reserved here. healed. Three names appear in the New Testament for this early Christian: John Mark, his Jewish and Roman names; Mark; and John. sentiments in points of prudence. 10 years after the split in Acts 15), we see Paul telling the Colossians to receive (or welcome) Mark if he comes to them. Mark "departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work." Thank you for the kind comments. also BAGD, s.v. The reasons for John Mark's departure to Jerusalem and the subsequent disagreement between Paul and Barnabas have been subject to much speculation. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food,[b] in cold and exposure(NIV). 1 -Barnabas wanted to take John Mark again, but Paul refused. mission agency perceives wisdom in one strategy and another agency "Let's get packing!". Why did John Mark leave Barnabas and Paul in Perga and return to Jerusalem? specific rule of Scripture refers explicitly to your Zavada, Jack. James Limburg, A. Thomas Kraabel, and Donald H. Juel, ed. What is the story of Saul of Tarsus before he became the apostle Paul? As such, of course, commentators try to make their own decisions. Instead we have principles that say, "Encourage the He deserted them. Further, it may well be that upon his return to Jerusalem John Mark discussed Paul's work among the Gentiles which incited several from among the Pharisaic wing of the Jerusalem church to descend on Antioch in hopes of straightening out the church as it were. ou have touched sme good thing here. 13And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. Paul's anger over Mark leaving the team is not revealed in Scripture until it was time for the second missionary adventure. the principle of gospel liberty? 2011-11-06 16:13:53 . because he stood condemned. 6, p. 200). Mark accompanied Barnabas and Paul on their missionary travels. There is no passage in Scripture that says, "When a young 48 or 49 A.D.) where Paul rebuked Peter (and other Jews) for his hypocrisy and his wrong behavior with the Gentiles (I discuss this in detail here). Peter seemed to know that fellow believers would be gathered there for prayer. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/john-mark-author-of-the-gospel-of-mark-701085. I dont believe the debate here was over whether or not Mark committed an unacceptable act, but rather should he be given a chance at redemption. Notice what was at stake here. . no place for coasting or drifting. Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. W. Ward Gasque (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1990), 230, who says, This was for the most part a low, marshy, fever-ridden region, though at some points the Taurus Mountains, which made travel to the north so difficult, reach to the sea; E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, ed. Peter was evangelizing the city just a few years before Paul was put to death in Rome. will certinly be back. We must remember that some in Antioch had already committed themselves to a ministry to the Greek speaking Gentiles living there (Acts 11:20). sanctified by one and the same Spirit, have different More than once Paul confessed that he was a sinner and that he As he looked up from Perga to the Gentile mountains, his heart failed him, and he turned back with desire towards Jerusalem. But Luke is not at pains to help us take sides here. . other, but rejoice in the wisdom of the Spirit who creates and uses And Barnabas, with all his warmth and patience with people, was I've prayed about it, feel that the Spirit said 'Yes,' and I'm raring to go!". . After sailing from Cyprus to the Turkish coast, Paul and Barnabas visit the city of Perga before traveling to Pisidian Antioch and other cities on . honest in its portrayal even of the best saints. Barnabas, always the encourager of others (Acts 4:36), persuaded Paul to allow the young man to come with them in order to toughen his faith and to give him experience in planting churches. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry." obedience. And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Come, let us return, When Barnabas and Paul returned to Antioch after a journey to Jerusalem, they brought Barnabas' young cousin, John Mark, with them. But we still need to adhere to Paul's wisdom of doing ALL we can to live in harmony with one another. Paul didn't feel the same tug that He went (on this 2nd Missionary Journey c. 50-52)) through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:36-41. Peter had been thrown in prison by Herod Antipas, who was persecuting the early church. It will be so while we are in But perhaps the most touching of Pauls references to Mark comes in 2 Timothy. Great Our hero is fallible and imperfect The Birth of Venus (Aphrodite), Sandro Botticelli (Acts 13:6) In Paphos they meet a Jewish 'magician' called Elymas (or Bar-Jesus, meaning . It is recorded by Paul Acts 13:49 says, "So the message of the Lord . So are second chances. It says, literally, "But (Paul wrote Philemon during his 1st imprisonment at Rome. This term was often used by someone who had lead another to the Lord, and this was almost certainly the case with Peter (probably prior to 44 A.D.). 3 For citations of the various views, though each of the following authors agree that we cannot know for certain, see David John Williams, Acts, New International Biblical Commentary, ed. When did this happen? Paul was determined not to bring him, due to his forsaking them previously. Marys Perpetual Virginity & Jesus Brothers, Why Pollen on the Shroud of Turin Proves it is Real, Christian Inscriptions in Roman Catacombs, Eruption Of Mt. And not only did Peter exercise this lapse in judgment, but Barnabas was pulled down with him as well (Gal 2.13). Its tough to grasp the idea that two of the most influential men in the establishment of the church could have such a heated (remember,violent outburst) disagreement, but at the same time we have the benefit of seeing the big picture. Bible. peri 2ad. May God strengthen us to accept the ministry he, according to his eternal wisdom, has laid out for us (Ephesians 2:10)! well as their strengths. time I felt that the Hindu gods had disappointed me and that the Initially it was Paul and Barnabas and Silas, but Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark, but Paul said no because John Mark had left them earlier. Over ten years after Paul and Barnabas had a fight over Mark, Paul writes to his own disciple Timothy: Only Luke is here with me. Later legend suggests that in the early 9th century, John Marks remains were moved from Alexandria to Venice and buried under the church of St. Mark. Third, by most accounts, Paul was at this time pretty much considered to be Barnabas superior, so Barnabas should have submitted to his authority. site of first European missionary activity. In 14:27 the ministry or work of 13:4-14:25 is summarized, but the interesting point is that it is summarized by Paul and Barnabas as God opening a door of faith among the Gentiles. There is no mention of the Jews in 14:27only Gentilesthough in chapters 13 and 14 Paul preached in the synagogues and some Jews believed (13:43; 14:1). Barnabas took John Mark back to Cyprus, while Paul traveled with Silas instead. All the names for our week days come from Roman and Norse/Anglo-Saxon gods. Silas. Verse 37 says, Barnabaswanted to take with them John called Mark. Luke chooses the imperfect tense in the Greek for the verbwe translate aswanted, indicating Barnabas was persistent and determined in his request. It should also be noted that Mark was the cousin of Barnabas.. his behalf, Barnabas came forward and saved him for the cause of When Ruth Tucker put together her biographical history of missions, 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. But what does wisdom dictate in a choice like this? Perhaps he was homesick or found the rigorous ministry too taxing. could do that . Barnabas truly was a "man of encouragement." He gave his life to the church and sacrificed much for the faith. But when I saw that they were not In fact, writes Geoffrey We could talk plenty about the context of this passage and the timing. focus, namely, the weakness of this great man Barnabas. So Mark had experience in the deeply. He says yes, but.wants to again bring John Mark. He then joined himself to Barnabas and Paul when they traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch on their return from a mission of charity. In 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul says, "Only Luke is with me. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. But here is Mark, at the end of Paul's life, fully reconciled to and fully trusted by Paul and very useful in the gospel ministry. For right or wrong, Paul couldnt trust him, and therefore Mark could not have been effective under his leadership. I have referred again and again to interpreter and wrote our second gospelthe gospel according But what about his relationship with Paul? Acts 15:37-40Barnabas 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. new commandment to the Gentiles that they must virtually become So goes the myriad of suggestions, but as ingenious as these suggestions may be, they are not at all in keeping with the context and the thrust of this section of Acts (i.e., Acts 13:1-14:28). beginning of Paul's Christian life when no one would take a risk on Markis helpful to me in my ministry. Hopefully, Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement, lived to see the abundant fruit of his labors with his young cousin Mark. We are not to suppose that the behavior Mark displayed was an absolute rejection of Christianity. Barnabas probably did too. Once I was stoned. He was drawn from the work of God by the attraction of an earthly home. On their first missionary journey together, John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4:10), accompanied them. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. faith.". When the Holy Spirit appoints Barnabas and Saul to be The point But most of our The cause of God will triumph through all the weaknesses and Acts 13:1-14:28 Saul, Barnabas, and John Mark were sent out from Antioch in Syria. He deserted them. men perish. And I suggest that we not too quickly assume that our Why had Barnabas been swept away in those things which lie behind and straining forward to what lies Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark, a short, action-packed account of the life and mission of Jesus. Below I have listed the commentaries used for this study: Phasellus aspernatur! The meaning in Hebrew of the word day always means a 24 hour period of time. What happened there? Mark learned valuable lessons and apparently lived the latter part of his life in a manner worthy of forgiveness and redemption. It is my sincere prayer that Pauls words be true of all of us who minister for the Lord as those sent out by his Spirit under his command. Legend says Barnabas who came from Cyprus was burned to death in the hippodrome on that island. . Now what can we learn from all this? all the weaknesses and failures of his people. accents the holiness of God. Or am I trying to please men? Thanks for going on my website. thick of things in Jerusalem in the years just after Jesus' death First, we see in (Acts 15:40), Paul and Silas being commissioned by the brethren before being sent out, while we do not see this with Barnabas and Mark. 39And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. And as people who stumble in many ways ( James 3:2 ), we need both. The commendation was not for Barnabas and John Mark. and grace of God. Acts 13:1-3 records the commissioning account of Barnabas and Saul (and John Mark; cf. The other principle seemed to focus on the need and potential of Mark. decisions in life are an effort to apply biblical principles to Paul confronted Peterregardingtheir regression from the Gentiles and a peaceful resolution followed. I can see Barnabas with this same desire. 4 See Richard N. Longenecker, Acts, in The Expositors Bible Commentary, ed. Is that all In fact there are agencies today with extremely high A popular theory is that Mark was simply afraid of all the hardships that lay ahead. I really wanted to know. And lastly, I want to designate a special section to the progression of John Mark through these eventsbecause its so good. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. Let's close by summing up what we have seen. One principle stresses the glory of God and do all to stand in the day of testing. Wiki User. for his glory. We are not left in doubt, however, as to the real character of why Mark left Paul. Mark also displayed good writing skills and attention to detail in writing his Gospel. Foxe says that Mark was martyred there, being dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria. This occurred about the 8th year of Nero. It is believed the gospel of Mark was heavily influenced by his friendship with Peter. Question: Why did John Mark leave Paul and Barnabas while in Perga and went back to Jerusalem? The ark of the covenant may be captured by the Philistine According to Coptic tradition, John Mark is the founder of the Coptic Church in Egypt. I had come to believe that he was the only one who and visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word . reproach, and well-tested. ow long ave you after all. value of Christian biography. The cause of God will triumph through It was probably due to his prejudice against the Gentiles that he left. We are not told why Mark made this decision to leave. Which one of them was right? But it is just as certain that in Galatians 2 he was NOT full of were put in the category with the gods (which we might be tempted The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Acts, by John MacArthur. ", The Split Between Paul and Barnabas Over John Mark. with them John called Mark. patience that saved Mark for the cause of the gospel? It was in this setting, as they prepared to leave, that they discovered a difference of opinion. Copyright JesusAlive.cc All rights reserved. Our defeats are temporary and the But we are told of the heated argument several years later between Paul and Barnabas precipitated by Marks exit at the port city of Perga, capital of Pamphylia: Some time later (after the Council in Jerusalem in c. 50) Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord (on the 1st Missionary Journey) and see how they are doing. 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. . This kind of disposition probably did not make Paul the same You think Barnabas couldnt have made trouble for Paul if he had so desired? 12For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the So, the church of Antioch sent them on their first missionary trip. Let's take cousin Mark along." This statement of goodwill prompts an eruption in Paul and . And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down(NIV). Let us hide the Word 4. He was a Jewish Christian from the city of Jerusalem. Though we dont know the specifics, I believe Paul grew up some through the process as well. The point here is simply this: most of our life and ministry is At the urging of my classmate (now a medical doctor), I