Acts 15:39 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

NIV: They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

NASB: Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

CSB: They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus.

NLT: Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.

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;

NKJV: Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

Because we are limited, and fallible, it can be difficult to sense when God has a significant change for our lives or ministry. He may allow our circumstances to change or move a close friend in another direction. If we're not paying attention, we can feel betrayed. We might struggle to adapt and react to a tragedy, not realizing God is just moving us on.

Paul and Barnabas seem to have experienced some hurt feelings as they planned their second missionary journey. The Greek term translated as "sharp disagreement" here is paroxysmos. Modern English uses derivatives of this term to define sudden, intense experiences such as seizures or a sneeze. The same root word depicts Paul's response to the many idols of Athens (Acts 17:16). But it also is used in Hebrews 10:24, speaking of believers inspiring one another to do good. The disagreement here is intense, deep-seated, and emotional.

Barnabas wants to take his cousin John Mark. Paul doesn't. Paul still stings from their first trip when Mark abandoned them on the coast of Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). Apparently, Mark has done nothing since to make Paul think he is any more dependable. Barnabas, known for his encouraging spirit (Acts 4:36) and willingness to give second chances (Acts 9:27), passionately disagrees. There's merit on both sides of the argument. Paul and Barnabas argue and split up, not seeing a way to continue travelling together.

It's important to note that neither man condemns the other, nor attempts to interfere with their work. Their decision to pursue God's will, separately, does not mean they discourage the other from doing the same. In truth, this is probably the best possible choice, and what God had intended in the first place. Scripture is not clear about whether the two men recognize God is sending them on different paths. However, it's likely both come to understand this later. Paul takes Silas, a fellow Roman citizen, and travels through Syria, up into Galatia, across into Macedonia, and down into Greece. Although Paul had survived being stoned on his first trip (Acts 14:19), Barnabas seems to have avoided physical attack. Silas will be imprisoned and beaten with Paul in Philippi (Acts 16:19–40). It may be that such treatment is too much for Barnabas or Mark at this time.

Meanwhile, Barnabas will take Mark to the island of Cyprus, where Barnabas is from. Whatever encouragement Barnabas has for his cousin works. Paul will later write fondly of Mark, telling Philemon he is a "fellow worker" (Philemon 1:24) and Timothy that he is "useful" (2 Timothy 4:11). From Paul, that is high praise.

Acts 15:36–41 marks a significant shift in Paul's ministry. Ever since Barnabas sought him out to help build the church in Syrian Antioch (Acts 11:19–26), the two have seemed inseparable. They established a church that will influence Christian theology for centuries. Their ministry extends beyond Syria and up into central modern-day Asia Minor. And they protected their church from legalists with harmful expectations of the Gentile Jesus-followers (Acts 15:1–35). Now, they go their separate ways. Paul will take Silas on his next missionary journey while Barnabas will take John Mark. Barnabas is not mentioned again in the book of Acts.

Paul and Barnabas are in Syrian Antioch, home from their first missionary journey. Legalistic Christians from Jerusalem arrive and insist Gentiles must convert to Judaism. When negotiations fail, a delegation travels to Jerusalem to request clarification from Jesus' closest students. The leadership in Jerusalem agree with Paul and Barnabas. They write a letter that Gentiles should only make concessions, mostly dietary, which will ensure unity with the Jews in their congregation. After delivering the letter to Antioch, Paul takes Silas and Barnabas takes John Mark to share the letter to other churches they have planted.

Acts chapter 15 resembles Acts 11:1–18, where Peter testified before the leadership of the church in Jerusalem. His subject was how the Holy Spirit had fallen on uncircumcised and unbaptized Gentiles. Here Paul and Barnabas also testify that Gentiles are coming to faith in Jesus without being circumcised. The issue the leadership must decide is the extent Gentiles must be responsible to follow the Mosaic law. Their decision is that the Law is in no way required to be saved, but Gentiles should graciously make concessions so their Jewish brothers and sisters feel free to live in community. This forms a partial background to the rest of Paul's missionary journeys as explained in Acts.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.