Paul and Barnabas Separate
Acts 15:36-41
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Acts.15.36 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Μετα: PREP,acc
- δε: CONJ
- τινας: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- Βαρναβαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Παυλος·Επιστρεψαντες: NOUN,nom,sg,m;VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- δη: PART
- επισκεψωμεθα: VERB,aor,mid,subj,1,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αδελφους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- κατα: PREP
- πολιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- αις: PRON,dat,pl,f
- κατηγγειλαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πως: ADV
- εχουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 14:21-22 (thematic): Describes returning to the cities where the gospel was preached to strengthen and establish the disciples—parallels Paul’s stated purpose in proposing a revisit to see how the brothers fare.
- Romans 1:11-12 (thematic): Paul’s expressed desire to visit Rome to impart a spiritual gift and to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith—similar motive of visiting churches to strengthen and encourage believers.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 (verbal): Paul speaks of longing to visit the Thessalonians and being hindered from coming—parallels the language of intent and the practical possibility of being prevented from such visits.
- Acts 15:39-41 (structural): Immediate narrative consequence of the proposal in 15:36: disagreement between Paul and Barnabas leading to their separation and separate missionary routes—shows how the suggested visit precipitates a major episode in the mission history.
Alternative generated candidates
- And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."
- And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."
Acts.15.37 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Βαρναβας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- εβουλετο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- συμπαραλαβειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιωαννην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- καλουμενον: PART,pres,pass,acc,sg,m
- Μαρκον·: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 13:5 (verbal): John (called Mark) is named as a companion of Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey — the same Mark Barnabas now wants to take along.
- Acts 13:13 (verbal): Reports that John Mark left the missionary party and returned to Jerusalem, providing the background for Paul's later reluctance to take him.
- Acts 15:39 (structural): Describes the immediate outcome of the disagreement: Paul and Barnabas part ways, and Barnabas takes Mark with him to Cyprus.
- Colossians 4:10 (allusion): Identifies Marcus (Mark) as Barnabas's sister's son, explaining Barnabas's special attachment and desire to take him.
- 2 Timothy 4:11 (thematic): Paul later instructs Timothy to take Mark because he is useful to ministry, indicating reconciliation and vindicating Barnabas's support of Mark.
Alternative generated candidates
- Barnabas wanted to take with them John, called Mark.
- Barnabas wanted to take with them John, who is called Mark.
Acts.15.38 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ηξιου: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αποσταντα: VERB,aor,act,part,acc,sg,m
- απ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- απο: PREP
- Παμφυλιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- συνελθοντα: VERB,aor,act,part,acc,sg,m
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- μη: PART
- συμπαραλαμβανειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τουτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 13:13 (verbal): Reports the earlier incident in Pamphylia where John (Mark) left Paul and Barnabas — the same desertion cited in Acts 15:38.
- Acts 15:36-41 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the dispute between Paul and Barnabas over taking Mark and their resulting separation (Acts 15:38–41 forms the split episode).
- 2 Timothy 4:11 (thematic): Paul later asks for Mark (‘Get Mark and bring him with you’), indicating reconciliation and a reversal of the earlier refusal to take him.
- Colossians 4:10 (thematic): Marks appears in Pauline correspondence as ‘Mark, cousin of Barnabas,’ and is to be received if he comes — showing his restored standing after the dispute.
- 1 Peter 5:13 (thematic): Peter calls Mark ‘my son,’ reflecting Mark’s later close association with apostolic leaders and general acceptance despite the earlier desertion.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Paul thought it not right to take with them one who had withdrawn from them and had not gone with them to the work.
- But Paul thought it not right to take with them the one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
Acts.15.39 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- παροξυσμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ωστε: CONJ
- αποχωρισθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- απ᾽αλληλων: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τε: CONJ
- Βαρναβαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- παραλαβοντα: VERB,aor,act,part,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Μαρκον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εκπλευσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- Κυπρον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 15:36 (structural): Immediate context: Paul proposes revisiting the churches, which sparks the dispute that leads to the separation in v.39.
- Acts 13:13 (verbal): Earlier report that John (Mark) left Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem—background reason for Barnabas' insistence on taking Mark and for the sharp disagreement.
- Acts 15:40-41 (structural): Direct continuation: describes the outcome—Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus while Paul chooses Silas, confirming the split described in v.39.
- Colossians 4:10 (allusion): Identifies Mark as Barnabas' cousin and places Mark in the circle connected with Paul and Barnabas, linking personalities involved in the split.
- 2 Timothy 4:11 (thematic): Later Pauline testimony that Mark was 'useful to ministry' and Paul requests him, indicating eventual reconciliation after the separation.
Alternative generated candidates
- There arose a sharp disagreement, so that they parted from one another; Barnabas took Mark and sailed away to Cyprus.
- And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted company; and Barnabas took Mark and sailed away to Cyprus.
Acts.15.40 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- επιλεξαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- Σιλαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- παραδοθεις: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- χαριτι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- υπο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αδελφων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 15:36 (structural): Sets the immediate context for Paul’s departure — Paul proposes revisiting the churches, which leads to the division between him and Barnabas and the choice of a new companion.
- Acts 15:39 (verbal): Directly connected episode: describes the sharp disagreement with Barnabas and states that Paul chose Silas after the split (immediately precedes 15:40).
- Acts 14:23 (verbal): Paul and Barnabas previously ‘commended’ newly appointed leaders/assemblies to the Lord (similar language/idea of entrusting persons to the care/grace of the Lord by the brethren).
- Acts 16:1–3 (thematic): Another instance of Paul selecting a traveling companion (Timothy) and making pastoral decisions about mission personnel, paralleling his choice of Silas.
- Acts 16:25 (thematic): Later episode showing Paul and Silas ministering together (imprisonment and praise), illustrating the fruit and continuity of the partnership begun in 15:40.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Paul chose Silas and departed, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
- But Paul chose Silas and departed, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
Acts.15.41 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- διηρχετο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Συριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Κιλικιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- επιστηριζων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- εκκλησιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 18:23 (verbal): Paul 'went through' regions 'strengthening all the disciples' — near-identical language and purpose (itinerant revisiting and strengthening of churches).
- Acts 14:21-23 (verbal): After evangelizing they 'strengthened the souls of the disciples' and appointed elders — parallels the practice of returning through regions to confirm and organize churches.
- Acts 11:22-24 (thematic): Barnabas is sent to Antioch to encourage/strengthen the new believers — parallels the missionary role of strengthening fledgling churches.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (thematic): Timothy is sent to 'establish and encourage' the Thessalonian church — analogous function of strengthening and confirming believers in the face of trials.
- Acts 9:30 (structural): Paul is sent to Tarsus (in Cilicia) earlier in Acts — connects Paul’s known activity in Cilicia with the later reference to traversing Syria and Cilicia to support churches.
Alternative generated candidates
- He passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
- He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word, to see how they are.”
Barnabas wanted to take with them John, who was called Mark. But Paul thought it not wise to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
A sharp disagreement arose, so that they separated from one another; Barnabas took Mark and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.