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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 15:39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/15-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/44_Act_15_39.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 15:39 - Paul's Second Missionary Journey" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. 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Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, <a href="/nlt/acts/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. <a href="/esv/acts/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, <a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, <a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore a sharp disagreement arose, so that they separated from one another. And Barnabas having taken Mark, sailed to Cyprus. <a href="/kjv/acts/15.htm">King James Bible</a> 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; <a href="/nkjv/acts/15.htm">New King James Version</a> Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; <a href="/nasb_/acts/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nasb/acts/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. <a href="/nasb77/acts/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And there arose such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. <a href="/lsb/acts/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And there was such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. <a href="/amp/acts/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And it became such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took [John] Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. <a href="/csb/acts/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. <a href="/hcsb/acts/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> There was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. <a href="/asv/acts/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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; <a href="/cev/acts/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Paul and Barnabas argued, then each of them went his own way. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, <a href="/erv/acts/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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; <a href="/gwt/acts/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Paul and Barnabas disagreed so sharply that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to the island of Cyprus. <a href="/gnt/acts/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> There was a sharp argument, and they separated: Barnabas took Mark and sailed off for Cyprus, <a href="/isv/acts/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> The disagreement was so sharp that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, <a href="/msb/acts/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, <a href="/net/acts/15.htm">NET Bible</a> They had a sharp disagreement, so that they parted company. Barnabas took along Mark and sailed away to Cyprus, <a href="/nheb/acts/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus, <a href="/wbt/acts/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed, separating one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. <a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark and setting sail for Cyprus. <a href="/web/acts/15.htm">World English Bible</a> Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> there came, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas having taken Mark, sailed to Cyprus, <a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore a sharp disagreement arose, so that they separated from one another. And Barnabas having taken Mark, sailed to Cyprus. <a href="/ylt/acts/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> there came, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas having taken Mark, did sail to Cyprus, <a href="/slt/acts/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Therefore there was an incitement, so that they separated from one another: and Barnabas, having taken Mark, sailed to Cyprus;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And there arose a dissension, so that they departed one from another; and Barnabas indeed taking Mark, sailed to Cyprus. <a href="/cpdv/acts/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And there occurred a dissension, to such an extent that they departed from one another. And Barnabas, indeed taking Mark, sailed to Cyprus. <a href="/nabre/acts/15.htm">New American Bible</a> So sharp was their disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And because of this dispute, Paul and Bar’na-bas separated from each other: and Bar’na-bas took Mark, and they sailed to Cy’prus, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Because of this dispute, they separated one from another. BarNaba took Marqus and traveled by sea and went to Cyprus.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> There was, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other: and Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. <a href="/godbey/acts/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But there was a paroxysm, so that they parted from one another, and Barnabas, taking Mark, sailed away into Cyprus. <a href="/haweis/acts/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> So there grew up a sudden quarrel, insomuch that they separated from each other: and Barnabas, taking Mark with him, sailed away to Cyprus: <a href="/mace/acts/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and the contention was so sharp between them, that they separated: so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. <a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark and setting sail for Cyprus. <a href="/worrell/acts/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted one from the other; and Barnabas, taking with him Mark, sailed away to Cyprus. <a href="/worsley/acts/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And there was a sharp dispute, so that they separated from each other; and Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus: but Paul chose Silas and departed, <a href="/parallel/acts/15-39.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5161" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">Paul's Second Missionary Journey</a> …38But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. 39<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3948.htm" title="3948: paroxysmos (N-NMS) -- Stimulation, provocation, irritation, angry dispute. From paroxuno; incitement, or dispute.">Their disagreement was so sharp</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: Egeneto (V-AIM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude."></a> <a href="/greek/5620.htm" title="5620: hōste (Conj) -- So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.">that</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">they</a> <a href="/greek/673.htm" title="673: apochōristhēnai (V-ANP) -- To separate from; mid: I part; pass: To be swept aside. From apo and chorizo; to rend apart; reflexively, to separate.">parted</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: ap’ (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses."></a> <a href="/greek/240.htm" title="240: allēlōn (RecPro-GMP) -- One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.">company.</a> <a href="/greek/5037.htm" title="5037: te (Conj) -- And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/921.htm" title="921: Barnaban (N-AMS) -- Of Chaldee origin; son of Nabas; Barnabas, an Israelite.">Barnabas</a> <a href="/greek/3880.htm" title="3880: paralabonta (V-APA-AMS) -- From para and lambano; to receive near, i.e. Associate with oneself; by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn.">took</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3138.htm" title="3138: Markon (N-AMS) -- Of Latin origin; Marcus, a Christian.">Mark</a> <a href="/greek/1602.htm" title="1602: ekpleusai (V-ANA) -- To sail out (of harbor), sail away. From ek and pleo; to depart by ship.">and sailed</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">for</a> <a href="/greek/2954.htm" title="2954: Kypron (N-AFS) -- Cyprus. Of uncertain origin; Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean.">Cyprus,</a> 40but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/13-13.htm">Acts 13:13</a> After setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. <a href="/acts/9-27.htm">Acts 9:27</a> Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus. <a href="/2_timothy/4-11.htm">2 Timothy 4:11</a> Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry. <a href="/colossians/4-10.htm">Colossians 4:10</a> 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. <a href="/philemon/1-24.htm">Philemon 1:24</a> as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6</a> Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living? <a href="/galatians/2-13.htm">Galatians 2:13</a> The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. <a href="/proverbs/18-19.htm">Proverbs 18:19</a> An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle. <a href="/proverbs/15-18.htm">Proverbs 15:18</a> A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute. <a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Proverbs 17:14</a> To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out. <a href="/proverbs/19-11.htm">Proverbs 19:11</a> A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. <a href="/genesis/13-7.htm">Genesis 13:7-9</a> And there was discord between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also living in the land. / So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. After all, we are kinsmen. / Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.” <a href="/genesis/45-24.htm">Genesis 45:24</a> Then Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way!” <a href="/2_kings/2-1.htm">2 Kings 2:1-6</a> Shortly before the LORD took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal, / and Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. / Then the sons of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” “Yes, I know,” he replied. “Do not speak of it.” ... <a href="/2_timothy/4-10.htm">2 Timothy 4:10</a> because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus;the contention.<a href="/acts/15-2.htm">Acts 15:2</a> When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.<a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Acts 6:1</a> And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.<a href="/psalms/106-33.htm">Psalm 106:33</a> Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.and sailed.<a href="/acts/4-36.htm">Acts 4:36</a> And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,<a href="/acts/11-20.htm">Acts 11:20</a> And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.<a href="/acts/13-4.htm">Acts 13:4-12</a> So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/15-2.htm">Argument</a> <a href="/acts/2-3.htm">Asunder</a> <a href="/acts/15-37.htm">Barnabas</a> <a href="/acts/15-35.htm">Company</a> <a href="/luke/22-24.htm">Contention</a> <a href="/acts/13-4.htm">Cyprus</a> <a href="/acts/15-38.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/acts/15-2.htm">Disagreement</a> <a href="/acts/12-24.htm">Grew</a> <a href="/acts/15-37.htm">Mark</a> <a href="/acts/13-12.htm">Occurred</a> <a href="/acts/2-45.htm">Parted</a> <a href="/acts/14-14.htm">Parting</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-8.htm">Resulted</a> <a href="/acts/14-26.htm">Sail</a> <a href="/acts/14-26.htm">Sailed</a> <a href="/acts/13-13.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Separating</a> <a href="/acts/11-28.htm">Serious</a> <a href="/luke/4-40.htm">Setting</a> <a href="/acts/15-2.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/acts/14-26.htm">Ship</a> <a href="/john/18-18.htm">Warm</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/18-28.htm">Argument</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Asunder</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">Barnabas</a> <a href="/acts/21-8.htm">Company</a> <a href="/acts/19-38.htm">Contention</a> <a href="/acts/21-3.htm">Cyprus</a> <a href="/acts/15-40.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/acts/25-19.htm">Disagreement</a> <a href="/acts/16-5.htm">Grew</a> <a href="/romans/3-16.htm">Mark</a> <a href="/acts/19-23.htm">Occurred</a> <a href="/acts/21-1.htm">Parted</a> <a href="/acts/21-1.htm">Parting</a> <a href="/romans/5-16.htm">Resulted</a> <a href="/acts/16-11.htm">Sail</a> <a href="/acts/18-18.htm">Sailed</a> <a href="/acts/19-9.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/galatians/2-12.htm">Separating</a> <a href="/acts/17-11.htm">Serious</a> <a href="/acts/16-11.htm">Setting</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-10.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/acts/16-11.htm">Ship</a> <a href="/james/2-16.htm">Warm</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 15</div>1. <a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.</a> 5. <a href="/acts/15-5.htm">The apostles consult about it,</a> 22. <a href="/acts/15-22.htm">and send their determination by letters to the churches.</a> 36. <a href="/acts/15-36.htm">Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together, </a> 39. <a href="/acts/15-39.htm">disagree, and travel different ways.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The disagreement refers to a conflict between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark's participation in their missionary journey. This sharp contention highlights the human element within the early church, showing that even apostles had disagreements. The Greek word for "sharp" (paroxysmos) indicates a strong, emotional conflict. This incident underscores the reality of conflict in ministry and the need for resolution. It also demonstrates that God can work through disagreements, as this led to the formation of two separate missionary teams, thus expanding the reach of the Gospel.Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, Barnabas, known for his encouraging nature, chose to support John Mark, who was his cousin (<a href="/colossians/4-10.htm">Colossians 4:10</a>). This decision reflects Barnabas's character as a reconciler and advocate for second chances. Cyprus was Barnabas's homeland (<a href="/acts/4-36.htm">Acts 4:36</a>), making it a logical destination for him to continue his ministry. The choice to sail for Cyprus indicates the strategic importance of the island in early Christian missions, as it was a familiar and receptive environment for Barnabas. This move also highlights the theme of God's providence, as John Mark later became a valuable asset to the early church, evidenced by his eventual reconciliation with Paul (<a href="/2_timothy/4-11.htm">2 Timothy 4:11</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> - An apostle who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity among the Gentiles. Known for his missionary journeys and epistles. 2. <a href="/topical/b/barnabas.htm">Barnabas</a> - A fellow missionary and companion of Paul, known for his encouragement and support of early Christians, including Paul himself. 3. <a href="/topical/m/mark.htm">Mark (John Mark)</a> - A young disciple who had previously left Paul and Barnabas during a missionary journey, leading to the disagreement. 4. <a href="/topical/c/cyprus.htm">Cyprus</a> - An island in the Mediterranean Sea, which was Barnabas's homeland and the destination he chose to take Mark. 5. <a href="/topical/d/disagreement.htm">Disagreement</a> - A sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas regarding whether to take Mark on their missionary journey, resulting in their separation.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_disagreements_in_ministry.htm">The Reality of Disagreements in Ministry</a> Even strong believers can have sharp disagreements. This passage reminds us that conflicts can arise even among mature Christians. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_reconciliation.htm">The Importance of Reconciliation</a> Despite the disagreement, later scriptures show reconciliation between Paul and Mark, teaching us the importance of forgiveness and restoration in relationships. <a href="/topical/d/diverse_paths_in_ministry.htm">Diverse Paths in Ministry</a> God can use disagreements to further His purposes, as seen in the separate missionary journeys that resulted from this conflict. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_encouragement.htm">The Role of Encouragement</a> Barnabas's decision to take Mark highlights the importance of encouragement and second chances in the growth and development of others. <a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trusting God's Sovereignty</a> Even when plans change due to human conflict, God remains sovereign and can use all situations for His glory.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 15</a> <a href="/q/key_events_of_paul's_2nd_journey.htm">What were the key events of Paul's second missionary journey?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'born_of_the_spirit'_mean.htm">What role did Cyprus play in biblical events?</a> <a href="/q/why_gloss_over_mark's_conflict_with_paul.htm">Acts 15:36–39 – Why does the text gloss over the credibility of Mark and the conflict with Paul and Barnabas, if unity was supposedly so crucial?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_universal_church_of_god.htm">What is the timeline of Paul's life events?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(39) And the contention was so sharp between them, that . . .--Literally, there was a sharp contention, (or paroxysm), so that . . . The warmth of previous affection, of a friendship begun probably in boyhood, and cemented by new hopes, and a great work in which both were sharers, made the breach between the two more painful. At this stage, both Barnabas and Mark disappear from the history of the Acts, but it will be worth while to note the chief facts in the after-history of each. (1) Probably Barnabas and Paul met again in the visit of <a href="/acts/18-22.htm" title="And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.">Acts 18:22</a>, unless, indeed, we refer the incidents of <a href="/context/galatians/2-11.htm" title="But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.">Galatians 2:11-13</a> to an earlier period, and then there was a yet further cause of division in his yielding to the dissimulation of the Judaising teachers. (2) In writing to the Corinthians (<a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm" title="Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?">1Corinthians 9:6</a>) the Apostle names Barnabas as setting the same noble example as himself in labouring with his own hands and accepting nothing from the churches. (3) On the later life of Mark see the Introduction to St. Mark's Gospel. Here it will be sufficient to note that the discipline did its work. After labouring with his cousin in Cyprus, he appears to have returned to St. Peter, as his first father in the faith, and to have been with him at Babylon (<a href="/1_peter/5-13.htm" title="The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, salutes you; and so does Marcus my son.">1Peter 5:13</a>). He and St. Paul met during the latter's first imprisonment at Rome (<a href="/colossians/4-10.htm" title=" Aristarchus my fellow prisoner salutes you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandments: if he come to you, receive him;)">Colossians 4:10</a>; <a href="/philemon/1-24.htm" title="Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow laborers.">Philemon 1:24</a>), and the Apostle learnt to recognise in him one who was "profitable to him for the ministry" (<a href="/2_timothy/4-11.htm" title="Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.">2Timothy 4:11</a>), and whom he wished to have with him at the last. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 39. - There arose a sharp contention for the contention was so sharp between them, A.V. and T.R.; parted for departed, A.V.; so that for so sharp... that, A.V.; and Barnabas for and so Barnabas, A.V.; took Mark with him for took Mark, A.V.; sailed away for sailed, A.V. There arose a sharp contention, etc. The sense "between them" must be supplied, if the English word "contention" is used. The word παροξυσμός only occurs twice in the New Testament: once in <a href="/hebrews/10-24.htm">Hebrews 10:24</a>, in a good sense, "To provoke" (for a provocation) - " stimulate or excite" - " unto love and good works," which is its common classical sense; the other time in this passage, where the sense is attributed to it in which it is used in the LXX., as in <a href="/deuteronomy/29-28.htm">Deuteronomy 29:28</a>, Ἐν θυμῷ καὶ ὀργῇ καὶ παροξυσμῷ μεγάλῳ σφόδρα, "in great indignation;" and in <a href="/jeremiah/32-37.htm">Jeremiah 32:37</a> (39. 37, LXX.), coupled with the same words, ἐν παροξυσμῷ μεγάλῳ, "in great wrath;" answering to קֶצפin Hebrew. But it is more probable that St. Luke uses the word here in its common medical sense. In medical writers - Galen, Hippocrates, etc. - the παροξυσμός is equivalent to what we call an access, from the Latin aecessio, used by Celsus, when a disease of some standing takes a turn for the worse, comes to a height, and breaks out into its severest form. This is the sense in which our English word "paroxysm" is used. The meaning of the passage will then be that, after a good deal of uncomfortable feeling and discussion, the difference between Paul and Barnabas, instead of cooling down, broke out into such an acute form that Barnabas went off to Cyprus with Mark, leaving St. Paul to do what he pleased by himself. And Barnabas, etc. The R.V. is much more accurate. The consequence of the quarrel is said by St. Luke to have been that Barnabas took Mark off with him to Cyprus. The statement that Paul chose Silas is a separate and independent statement, as appears by Παῦλος (in the nominative) and ἐξῆλθε in the indicative mood. St. Luke's narrative quite sides with St. Paul, and throws the blame of the quarrel, or at least of the separation, upon Barnabas. Renan ('St. Paul,' p. 119) thinks St. Paul was too severe upon John Mark, and that it was ungrateful of him to break with one to whom he owed so much as he did to Barnabas for any cause of secondary importance. He also thinks that the real root of the quarrel lay in the constantly changing relations between the two apostles, aggravated by a domineering spirit in St. Paul. But the force of this censure turns upon the question whether it was a cause of secondary importance. If St. Paul had a single eye to the success of his mission, and judged that Mark would be a hindrance to it, it was a question of primary importance to "the work," and St. Paul was right. Renan also remarks upon the extinction of the fame of Barnabas consequent upon this separation from his more illustrious companion. "While Paul kept advancing to the heights of his glory, Barnabas, separated from the companion who had shed a portion of his own luster upon him, pursued his solitary course in obscurity." Sailed away. Cyprus was Barnabas's native country (<a href="/acts/4-36.htm">Acts 4:36</a>), and the scene of the earliest mission (<a href="/acts/11-19.htm">Acts 11:19</a>), and of Paul and Barnabas's first joint evangelistic labors (<a href="/acts/13-4.htm">Acts 13:4</a>). Barnabas would have many friends there, and could form plans at his leisure for his future action. The friendly mention of him in <a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6</a> shows both that he continued his disinterested labors as an apostle and that the estrangement between him and St. Paul had passed away. The paroxysm had yielded to the gentle treatment of charity. <a href="/commentaries/acts/15-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Their disagreement was so sharp παροξυσμός (paroxysmos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3948.htm">Strong's 3948: </a> Stimulation, provocation, irritation, angry dispute. From paroxuno; incitement, or dispute. that ὥστε (hōste) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_5620.htm">Strong's 5620: </a> So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore. they αὐτοὺς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. parted ἀποχωρισθῆναι (apochōristhēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_673.htm">Strong's 673: </a> To separate from; mid: I part; pass: To be swept aside. From apo and chorizo; to rend apart; reflexively, to separate. company. ἀλλήλων (allēlōn) Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_240.htm">Strong's 240: </a> One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another. Barnabas Βαρνάβαν (Barnaban) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_921.htm">Strong's 921: </a> Of Chaldee origin; son of Nabas; Barnabas, an Israelite. took παραλαβόντα (paralabonta) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3880.htm">Strong's 3880: </a> From para and lambano; to receive near, i.e. Associate with oneself; by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn. Mark Μάρκον (Markon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3138.htm">Strong's 3138: </a> Of Latin origin; Marcus, a Christian. [and] sailed ἐκπλεῦσαι (ekpleusai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1602.htm">Strong's 1602: </a> To sail out (of harbor), sail away. From ek and pleo; to depart by ship. for εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Cyprus, Κύπρον (Kypron) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2954.htm">Strong's 2954: </a> Cyprus. Of uncertain origin; Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/15-39.htm">Acts 15:39 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/15-39.htm">Acts 15:39 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/15-39.htm">Acts 15:39 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/15-39.htm">Acts 15:39 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/15-39.htm">Acts 15:39 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/15-39.htm">Acts 15:39 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/15-39.htm">Acts 15:39 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/15-39.htm">Acts 15:39 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/15-39.htm">Acts 15:39 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/15-39.htm">Acts 15:39 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/15-39.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 15:39 Then the contention grew so sharp that (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/15-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 15:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 15:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/15-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 15:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 15:40" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>