36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Having turned back, let us indeed look after the brothers in every city in which we announced the word of the Lord — how they are." [15:37] Barnabas was planning to take along also John who is called Mark. [15:38] Paul, however, was judging unfit the one having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia and not having gone with them to the work — not to take him along. [15:39] A sharp disagreement arose, so that they parted completely from one another — Barnabas taking Mark sailed to Cyprus. [15:40] Paul, however, having chosen Silas, went forth, entrusted to the grace of the Lord by the brothers. [15:41] He was passing through Syria and Cilicia, firmly establishing the churches.
ACT 15:36-41
Paulʼs Second Missionary Journey Begins
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, travel and mission work were fraught with risks, requiring trust and reliability among companions. Barnabas and Paul’s disagreement over John Mark reflects the high stakes of such endeavors. John Mark’s earlier departure from their mission in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13) would have been seen as a breach of loyalty in a culture where honor and steadfastness were paramount. Barnabas, likely motivated by familial ties (John Mark was his cousin, Colossians 4:10) and a desire for restoration, deemed him worthy to rejoin. Paul, however, viewed John Mark’s past actions as disqualifying, prioritizing the integrity of their mission. The resulting (sharp disagreement) led to a decisive separation , a rupture that would have been significant in a society where partnerships were essential for survival and success. Barnabas took John Mark to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas, a proven companion, reflecting differing approaches to leadership and reconciliation in the early Christian movement.
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How other translations render this
ACT 15:36
- KJV
- And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.
- BSB
- Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
- Koinōnos
- After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Having turned back, let us indeed look after the brothers in every city in which we announced the word of the Lord — how they are.
ACT 15:37
- KJV
- And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
- BSB
- Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
- Koinōnos
- Barnabas was planning to take along also John who is called Mark.
ACT 15:38
- KJV
- But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
- BSB
- But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.
- Koinōnos
- Paul, however, was judging unfit the one having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia and not having gone with them to the work — not to take him along.
ACT 15:39
- KJV
- And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
- BSB
- Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
- Koinōnos
- A sharp disagreement arose, so that they parted completely from one another — Barnabas taking Mark sailed to Cyprus.
ACT 15:40
- KJV
- And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
- BSB
- but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
- Koinōnos
- Paul, however, having chosen Silas, went forth, entrusted to the grace of the Lord by the brothers.
ACT 15:41
- KJV
- And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
- BSB
- And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
- Koinōnos
- He was passing through Syria and Cilicia, firmly establishing the churches.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 15:38
- was considering:The word translated 'was considering' implies that Paul did not think John Mark was worthy or fit for the task, suggesting a judgment of his suitability rather than just a thought.
ACT 15:39
- a sharp disagreement,:The term translated 'a sharp disagreement' describes an intense irritation or exasperation, indicating a heated and severe conflict, not just a simple difference of opinion.
- separating:The word translated 'separating' suggests a complete and decisive parting, indicating that they went their separate ways entirely, rather than just a temporary split.
ACT 15:41
- strengthening:The word translated 'strengthening' carries the sense of firmly establishing or confirming the churches, suggesting a process of making them stable and secure in their faith.