Paul, Barnabas, and Mark

Paul’s first missionary journey, recorded in Acts 13-14, was taken with Barnabas, but it was also recorded that they had “John to their minister” (Acts 13:5).  This was referring to John Mark, the same Mark who wrote the gospel.  The missionary trio visited Salamis, a city in the island of Cyprus, and then Paphos (also on the island) where they encountered Elymas the sorcerer.  After that they made their way across the Mediterranean and went to “Perga in Pamphylia.”  At this point Luke recorded that “John, departing from them returned to Jerusalem” (Acts 13:13).  No explanation is given as to why John Mark left, but Paul and Barnabas continued on their missionary travels in what is today Turkey, going to cities such as Derbe and Lystra and finally finishing in Antioch. 

               Some time later, Paul was ready to embark on his second missionary journey, again with Barnabas.  Luke recorded, “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” (Acts 15:36).  John Mark was apparently there in Antioch at that time, and Barnabas suggested that he come with them.  “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.”  Luke’s statement seems to imply that Paul’s reasoning for not wanting to take John Mark was because he had left their missionary early the last time.  We don’t have the details as to why Barnabas and Paul couldn’t agree on a solution, but it appears that Paul, zealous to accomplish properly the work of the Lord, didn’t feel he could trust Mark after what had happened.  Barnabas, on the other hand, was ready to give Mark (who was also his cousin per Colossians 4:10) a second chance to be their missionary company.  This was the same Barnabas who had been the first Saint in Jerusalem ready to give Saul a second chance: “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way” (Acts 9:26-27).  Unfortunately for Paul and Barnabas, “the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus” (Acts 15:39). 

             We do have one hint in the letters of Paul that suggest that the rift between him and Mark (and presumably Barnabas as well) was ultimately mended.  Towards the end of his life Paul wrote to Timothy, “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).  That certainly has a much different tone from Paul than when he refused Mark’s companionship as a missionary.  I’d like to think that when Mark had completed his inspired gospel account, his words and stories of the Savior helped to motivate Paul to forgive and love Mark.  The gospel of Mark records this powerful invitation of the Savior in particular: “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25-26).  Paul, it appears, did forgive whatever he had against Mark and the two in the end were both faithful missionaries of the Savior.