Paul and Barnabas Argue over John Mark

For a time after the Jerusalem Council, Saul and Barnabas remained in Syrian Antioch, ministering as a team to the church there (Acts 15:35). Sadly, however, their co-laboring would not last. As Luke reports in today’s passage, the two church leaders found themselves at odds on the eve of another missionary journey.

Paul proposed returning to the cities that he and Barnabas had visited on the Apostle’s first missionary journey to see how the Christians in those places were doing (v. 36; see chs. 13–14). Barnabas agreed that it was a good idea, and he proposed bringing John Mark with them (15:37). You will remember that John Mark was a Christian from Jerusalem whom Paul and Barnabas had brought to Antioch and who accompanied them at the beginning of their journey to evangelize Cyprus and the cities of South Galatia. Early in the trip, however, Mark left the men and returned to Jerusalem (12:25–13:13).

Luke does not tell us why John Mark left them, but his departure was troubling for Paul, as we see in his opposition to Barnabas’ proposal that they bring Mark along on their next missionary journey (15:38). Probably, Paul had doubts that Mark would go the distance with them because he had left them before. In any case, Barnabas and Paul got into a “sharp disagreement” over John Mark (v. 39). The Greek term translated as “sharp disagreement” is used for only the most terrible of arguments, so this was no minor spat. Mark was Barnabas’ cousin (Col. 4:10), so the familial ties between the two men may have contributed to Barnabas’ strong opinion.

In the end, neither Paul nor Barnabas could persuade the other, and they parted ways. Paul found a new ministry partner in Silas, who traveled with the Apostle to Syria and Cilicia. Barnabas took Mark with him to Cyprus (Acts 15:39–41). Paul and Barnabas’ separation was a tragic moment in church history, but as one commentator notes, some good did come of it. Now there were two different missions to the gentile world, so more people could be reached with the gospel. We should strive for peace with other Christians, but sometimes separation will occur, and the Lord can still work through it.

Significantly, Acts 15 is not the last word on Paul and Mark’s relationship. Evidently, the two men reconciled, for Paul later comments on Mark’s usefulness in ministry (2 Tim. 4:11). If early tradition is right, Mark would also write the gospel that bears his name, summarizing the preaching of the Apostle Peter.