Acts 15:39
What does Acts 15:39 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:39 means
The contention became sharp enough that Paul and Barnabas separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, returning to the region where their earlier mission began. The split is sobering: even trusted partners can diverge. Yet God can overrule human discord to advance the gospel. Mark will later prove useful, and Paul’s ministry will expand in new directions. Luke does not assign blame; he shows the church’s mission continuing through two teams. The episode reminds us that unity in Christ does not always mean uniformity in judgment, and that God’s purposes remain firm despite our frailties.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And there was a sharp argument between them, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and went by ship to Cyprus;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862there came, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they were parted from one another, and Barnabas having taken Mark, did sail to Cyprus,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there arose a dissension so that they departed one from another. And Barnabas indeed, taking Mark, sailed to Cyprus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890There arose therefore very warm feeling, so that they separated from one another; and Barnabas taking Mark sailed away to Cyprus;
Context
This verse concludes the dispute’s immediate outcome: two paths, two teams. The narrative will now follow Paul rather than Barnabas, in keeping with Acts’ focus. The next verse introduces Paul’s new companion, Silas, and the church’s commendation, indicating continued confidence in Paul’s leadership and the grace of God upon his work.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him),
- Ecclesiastes 7:20
Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
- Acts 11:20
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
- Romans 7:18
For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not.
- James 3:2
For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
- Acts 13:4
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
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