Devine Scripture

Acts 12:25

What does Acts 12:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 12:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 12:25 means

Barnabas and Saul return from Jerusalem after completing their relief ministry and bring with them John whose surname was Mark. This note closes the Jerusalem episode and opens a door to the next stage. John Mark is the same Mark associated with Mary’s house, connecting the praying community to the missionary movement. The completed “ministration” suggests faithfulness in service and sets the platform for future work. The Lord is moving His servants into position: Barnabas, Saul, and Mark will soon be central in carrying the word beyond Jerusalem. The verse quietly affirms continuity—mercy given, tasks finished, teams formed for the widening mission.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Barnabas and Saul came back from Jerusalem, when their work was ended, taking with them John named Mark.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Barnabas and Saul did turn back out of Jerusalem, having fulfilled the ministration, having taken also with <FI>them<Fi> John, who was surnamed Mark.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Barnabas and Saul, returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled their ministry, taking with them John who was surnamed Mark.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled the service [entrusted to them], taking also with them John, surnamed Mark.

Context

This concluding verse ties Acts 12 back to the end of Acts 11 and forward to Acts 13, where Barnabas and Saul will be sent out. After the dramatic contrasts of persecution and deliverance, pride and judgment, we end with a simple transition: ministry fulfilled and companions gathered. It signals that, despite turmoil, the mission’s logistics proceed under God’s providence. As the word of God grows, He prepares workers and partnerships for the next phase of gospel advance.

v.24But the word of God grew and multiplied.

v.25This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 5:13

    She that is in Babylon, elect together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my son.

  • Acts 4:36

    And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,

  • Acts 11:29

    And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judæa:

  • Acts 12:12

    And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying.

  • Acts 13:1

    Now there were at Antioch, in the church that wasthere, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

  • Acts 15:37

    And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.

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