Acts 15:36-41·~1 min

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey Begins

Paul suggests revisiting the brothers in every town where they had proclaimed the word to see how they are doing. Barnabas wants to take John Mark, but Paul judges it unwise because Mark had left them in Pamphylia and had not continued in the work.

S³⁶ome 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.” ³⁷Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark. ³⁸But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.

Their disagreement becomes so sharp that they part company, with Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus. Paul chooses Silas, is commended by the brothers to the Lord's grace, and travels through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches.

³⁹Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, ⁴⁰but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Section summarySome time later Paul proposes revisiting the brothers in the towns where they had proclaimed the Lord's word, but Barnabas and Paul divide sharply over whether to take John Mark, who had withdrawn in Pamphylia. Barnabas sails with Mark to Cyprus, while Paul chooses Silas, is commended by the brothers to the Lord's grace, and goes through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches.

Role in the chapterThis closing movement shows that even after council unity, mission still advances through human fracture and differing judgments. The disagreement is real, yet the work multiplies into two routes of strengthening rather than ending.