The Meaning of Acts 15:37 Explained

Acts 15:37

KJV: And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

YLT: And Barnabas counselled to take with them John called Mark,

Darby: And Barnabas proposed to take with them John also, called Mark;

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  Barnabas  determined  to take with them  John,  whose surname was  Mark. 

What does Acts 15:37 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 15:22-41 - "confirming The Churches"
This letter was a noble document and fitted for its immediate purpose, but it does not apply directly to us, as the circumstances which called it forth have long since passed away. It was explicit in denying that the rite of circumcision was needful for salvation. It bore ample testimony to the character and work of the two great missionaries whose action had been impugned. It denounced the false teachers whose intrusion had broken the peace of the Church, and laid down the principles which had been embodied in James' speech. Notice the conjunction of the Holy Spirit with the persons who issued this letter, Acts 15:28. Here is convincing proof that the Spirit of God is a person; that He presides in the Church; and that He is willing to become our guide and teacher whenever we are perplexed.
The arrival of Judas and Silas, attesting by their presence the importance that the mother church attached to the question at issue, and the reading of the letter, brought great relief to the believers at Antioch, and a blessed season of teaching and preaching ensued.
It is unpleasant to see the contention between the two leaders over John Mark, but God overruled it for good and Paul could later write to Timothy, "Take Mark and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering," 2 Timothy 4:11, r.v. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 15

1  Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision
5  The apostles consult about it,
22  and send their determination by letters to the churches
36  Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together,
39  disagree, and travel different ways

Greek Commentary for Acts 15:37

Was minded to take with them [εβουλετο συνπαραλαβειν]
Imperfect middle Συνπαραλαβειν — Sunparalabein is second aorist active infinitive of the double compound συνπαραλαμβανω — sunparalambanō old verb to take along together with, used already about John Mark in Acts 12:25 and by Paul in Galatians 2:1 about Titus. Nowhere else in the N.T. Barnabas used the ingressive aorist in his suggestion. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 15:37

Galatians 2:1 With Barnabas [μετα αρναβα]
As in Acts 15:2. Taking Titus also with me (συνπαραλαβων και Τιτον — sunparalabōn kai Titon). Second aorist active participle of συνπαραλαμβανω — sunparalambanō the very verb used in Acts 15:37. of the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas about Mark. Titus is not mentioned in Acts 15 nor anywhere else in Acts for some reason, possibly because he was Luke‘s own brother. But his very presence was a challenge to the Judaizers, since he was a Greek Christian. [source]
Galatians 2:1 Taking Titus also with me [συνπαραλαβων και Τιτον]
Second aorist active participle of συνπαραλαμβανω — sunparalambanō the very verb used in Acts 15:37. of the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas about Mark. Titus is not mentioned in Acts 15 nor anywhere else in Acts for some reason, possibly because he was Luke‘s own brother. But his very presence was a challenge to the Judaizers, since he was a Greek Christian. [source]
Colossians 4:10 Sister's son [ἀνεψιός]
Only here in the New Testament. Rev., correctly, cousin. The sense of nephew did not attach to the word until very late. Lightfoot remains that this incidental notice explains why Barnabas should have taken a more favorable view of Mark's defection than Paul, Acts 15:37, Acts 15:39. [source]
2 Timothy 4:11 Mark []
Mentioned Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24; 1 Peter 5:13. Probably John Mark (Acts 12:12, Acts 12:25; Acts 15:37), called the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). The first mention of him since the separation from Paul (Acts 15:39) occurs in Colossians and Philemon. He is commended to the church at Colossae. In 1st Peter he sends salutations to Asia. In both Colossians and Philemon his name appears along with that of Demas. In Colossians he is named shortly before Luke and along with Aristarchus who does not appear here. He (Mark) is about to come to Asia where 2nd Timothy finds him. The appearance in Colossians of Aristarchus with Mark and of Demas with Luke is probably the point of connection with the representation in 2nd Timothy. [source]
2 Timothy 4:11 Take Mark [Μαρκον αναλαβων]
Second aorist active participle of αναλαμβανω — analambanō old verb, to pick up, as in Ephesians 6:13, Ephesians 6:16. “Pick up Mark.” He is useful to me (εστιν μοι ευχρηστος — estin moi euchrēstos). See note on 2 Timothy 2:21 for ευχρηστος — euchrēstos Paul had long ago changed his opinion of Mark (Colossians 4:10) because Mark had changed his conduct and had made good in his ministry. Now Paul longs to have the man that he once scornfully rejected (Acts 15:37.). [source]
2 Timothy 4:11 He is useful to me [εστιν μοι ευχρηστος]
See note on 2 Timothy 2:21 for ευχρηστος — euchrēstos Paul had long ago changed his opinion of Mark (Colossians 4:10) because Mark had changed his conduct and had made good in his ministry. Now Paul longs to have the man that he once scornfully rejected (Acts 15:37.). [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 15:37 mean?

Barnabas now purposed to take along also - John called Mark
Βαρνάβας δὲ ἐβούλετο συμπαραλαβεῖν καὶ τὸν Ἰωάννην καλούμενον Μάρκον

Βαρνάβας  Barnabas 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Βαρναβᾶς  
Sense: the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus He was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἐβούλετο  purposed 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: βούλομαι  
Sense: to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded.
συμπαραλαβεῖν  to  take  along 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: συμπαραλαμβάνω  
Sense: to take along together with.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰωάννην  John 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰωάννης 
Sense: John the Baptist was the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the forerunner of Christ.
καλούμενον  called 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: καλέω  
Sense: to call.
Μάρκον  Mark 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Μᾶρκος  
Sense: an evangelist, the author of the Gospel of Mark.