Why did Paul not want to take Mark, according to Acts 15:38? A Snapshot of the Disagreement • Acts 15:38 records the crux of Paul’s concern: “But Paul thought it best not to take him along, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.” • The prior incident: on the first missionary journey, John Mark “left them and returned to Jerusalem” (Acts 13:13). • Paul interprets that departure as a desertion—an act that calls Mark’s reliability into question for another demanding journey. Paul’s Reasoning in Practical Terms • Mission work was dangerous: travel hazards (2 Corinthians 11:26), persecution (Acts 14:19). • A co-worker had to be unwavering. Mark’s earlier withdrawal suggested, to Paul, a potential repeat. • Paul’s apostolic calling demanded “endurance” (2 Timothy 2:3). He judged that Mark had not yet demonstrated that endurance. Barnabas’s Perspective • Barnabas was “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith” (Acts 11:24). • He was also Mark’s cousin (Colossians 4:10). Family ties and a gift of encouragement led him to give Mark a second chance. • The split shows two godly men valuing different ministry priorities: Paul—mission reliability; Barnabas—restoration of a struggling worker. Theological Takeaways • Scripture records the disagreement honestly, underscoring its historical accuracy. • God uses even human conflict for wider kingdom impact: two missionary teams now go out instead of one (Acts 15:39–41). • Faithfulness matters: Paul’s stance reminds believers that ministry is serious work requiring proven commitment (Luke 9:62). Mark’s Later Restoration • Time vindicated Barnabas’s hope and affirmed God’s grace: – “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me for ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). – Mark is listed among Paul’s fellow workers (Philemon 24) and greeted alongside Paul’s companions (Colossians 4:10). • Mark eventually pens the Gospel that bears his name, illustrating how God redeems earlier failure. In Summary Paul refused to take Mark because, in Paul’s eyes, Mark had proven unreliable by abandoning the first journey at Pamphylia. Paul’s concern was the integrity and effectiveness of the mission. Barnabas emphasized restoration. Scripture later shows that both reliability and restoration can coexist in God’s plan. |
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