Acts 15:38
What does Acts 15:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:38 means
Paul did not think it wise to take Mark because he had withdrawn previously in Pamphylia and did not continue in the work. For Paul, reliability was essential for the hardships of mission. His concern was not vindictiveness but stewardship: the task required teammates proven in endurance. Differing temperaments and assessments led to opposite conclusions—Barnabas emphasizing restoration, Paul emphasizing mission readiness. Neither motive is condemned here; Luke records the reality that godly people may weigh factors differently. The disagreement underscores the seriousness of gospel work and the need for both grace and prudence in forming ministry teams.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Paul was of the opinion that it was not right to take with them one who had gone away from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with the work.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Paul was not thinking it good to take him with them who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But Paul desired that he (as having departed from them out of Pamphylia and not gone with them to the work) might not be received.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but Paul thought it not well to take with them him who had abandoned them, [going back] from Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
Context
Barnabas’s desire meets Paul’s refusal, creating a conflict that cannot be easily resolved. The next verse reports that the contention became sharp, resulting in a separation. This painful outcome will, however, lead to two mission teams rather than one, extending the reach of the work despite the disagreement.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 14:27
Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
- Psalms 78:9
The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows, Turned back in the day of battle.
- James 1:8
a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways.
- Acts 13:13
Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
- Proverbs 25:19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Islikea broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
- Luke 9:61
And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.
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