Acts 15:39

37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.

38 But 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 was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

41 And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark 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;
WEB
Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
ASV
And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus;
DARBY
There arose therefore very warm feeling, so that they separated from one another; and Barnabas taking Mark sailed away to Cyprus;
BLB
Therefore a sharp disagreement arose, so that they separated from one another. And Barnabas, having taken Mark, sailed to Cyprus.
ÅB
Det kom da til en skarp strid, så de skiltes fra hverandre, og Barnabas tok Markus med seg og seilte avsted til Kypern;
OTB
Deres uenighet var så intens at de skilte lag. Barnabas tok Markus og seilte til Kypros,
B1930
Det kom da til en skarp strid, så de skiltes fra hverandre, og Barnabas tok Markus med sig og seilte avsted til Kypern;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Colossians 4:10

    My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.

    Read in context
  • Acts 4:36

    Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 7:20

    Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

    Read in context
  • James 3:2

    We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

    Read in context
  • Romans 7:18–21

    I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

    Read in context
  • Acts 13:4–12

    So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

    Read in context
  • Acts 6:1

    In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

    Read in context
  • Acts 11:20

    But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.

    Read in context