Bible Questions Answered:
Did Paul and Barnabas have a fight?
Debby/ San Antonio, Texas
Bible Answer:
Bible Text:
Acts 15:36-41 KJV
36 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.
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 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;
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Acts 15:36-41 NLT
36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.”
37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark.
38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.
39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.
40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.
41 Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.
The Apostle Paul and Barnabas, had a strong difference of opinion, over the young man, John Mark.
And the reason why we find in Acts 13:13
Acts 12:25 NLT
When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them.
Acts 13:1-5;13,14 NLT
1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.
2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”
3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.
4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.
5 There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.
13 Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.
14 But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia.
John was his Jewish name, while his Gentile surname was Mark.
Tradition says that Mark's mother had a large house in Jerusalem, and she and Mark were members of the Jerusalem church, and so it was that Peter often resorted to go to their home. For Mark to have been Barnabas' cousin, Mark's mother was sister, to either the mother or father of Barnabas.
Colossians 4:10 KJV (Apostle Paul)
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Marcus (Greek: Mark), sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
When Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch from their Jerusalem visit, they took John Mark with them. A year or so later, John Mark was selected to go with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey.
The young man John Mark was with Paul and Barnabas as they evangelized Cyprus, but when they pressed on to go into Perga, on their way into Asia Minor, Mark left them, scared, home sick, whatever the cause, to return to his home in Jerusalem.
Later after Paul and Barnabas had returned, the day came when they planned their second missionary journey. Barnabas suggested taking John Mark, once more with them, and to this the Apostle Paul remonstrated greatly.
This Christian disagreement was so great that Paul and Barnabas, parted company, Paul traveling with one Silas, a teacher from the Jerusalem church, and Barnabas with his cousin, John Mark.
Was it wrong and unforgiving of Paul to not accept the young man, for sure it was proof of the adage,
“blood is thicker than water.”
Paul and Silas left for the churches of Syria and Cilicia and to gain the help of another young man, Timothy, while Barnabas and John Mark traveled for Cyprus.
After some time, the Apostle Paul believed in the sincerity of John Mark, and referred to Barnabas as his co-worker.
Colossians 4:10 KJV (Paul's final instructions.)
Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way.
Philemon 23 NLT (Paul's last greetings.)
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings.
24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.
II Timothy 4:11 NLT (Final words of the Apostle Paul.)
Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.
I Corinthians 9:6 KJV (Co-workers together.)
Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?
It has been said that Barnabas had a shepherds heart, while Paul had the heart of an evangelist, and perhaps so.
Early Christian tradition, says that Mark became the constant companion of Peter, and later became a bishop in Alexandria.
The end of the matter...
I Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
II Corinthians 6:6 NLT
We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.
Ephesians 4:1-3 KJV (Apostle Paul)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Colossians 3:12-15 NLT
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
