Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing."
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.
Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 15:36-41
Back in Acts 13:13, upon arriving in Pamphylia, John had left Paul ... and Paul was still a bit upset over John's desertion. In fact, Paul was so angry that he and Barnabas actually "parted company."
We don't know why John Mark chose to leave Paul in Pamphlia; the Bible doesn't offer any explanation. But we do know that on the one hand, the Apostle Paul could steadfastly insist that circumcision wasn't required for Gentiles ... yet on the other hand, apparently Paul could also be stubborn ... or even have his feelings hurt ... over unimportant details.
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Several months ago I read a blog disparaging John Mark as an example to be avoided, written by a pastor who used him as an illustration of what happens to those who "fall away." This writer went on to marginalize John Mark as a quitter who'd "missed out" on the opportunity to participate in the glory of Paul's ministry throughout the Mediterranean ... and that also meant any opportunity to do good works for the Kingdom.
According to the blogger, once John Mark chose to leave Paul, even if it meant losing a ministry with Barnabas, Paul was so angry and disappointed over the apparent betrayl that he was forever done with John Mark.
But apparently, and this is what the pastor-blogger missed completely, the Holy Spirit was not.
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Today we know John Mark better as simply Mark ... the author of the gospel bearing his name.
