John Mark (or simply Mark) is not a Bible character thought of much, but like most of the time, meditating in God’s Word draws out unapparent depth and richness. Mark’s story is one of a promising beginning, unfortunate fracturing of important relationships, and blessed reconciliation. If you’ve spent any time building important relationships only to see them destroyed then this article might be helpful. Also, if you’ve made decisions that have brought discouragement to yourself and other people and you’re struggling with the thought of giving up, then keep reading as well… 

I’d like to first paint a picture of Mark in the setting of the early church, then talk about the crucial moment in his life when he split from his missionary team, and end with the glorious story of how God redeemed this problem for his glory and the good of his people.

We first hear of Mark in Acts chapter 12 in the story when Peter was miraculously delivered from prison. The angel of the Lord led Peter out of the prison and then departed from him. At this moment Peter could have fled anywhere, but he chose a specific house to go to. The house he chose was “the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:12). Up to this point in the book of Acts Luke was focused on the apostle Peter and the church in Jerusalem. Peter was definitely seen as the chief of the apostles and the foremost leader of the church in those early days. In other words, we’re talking about the most preeminent Christian leader of their time. At this critical moment this prominent leader decides to go to this particular house. Mark’s mother was most assuredly a very strong disciple and member of the church. We find that many were gathered praying, but most notably the other apostles probably were not present (Acts 12:17). So we get the feeling that Mark’s household was very special to Peter. Not only his household, but particularly Mark himself. Peter calls Mark “my son” in 1 Peter 5:13 indicating that he probably led Mark to Christ or discipled him, and/or could also could mean that he was a father figure to Mark (It seems as though Mark didn’t have a father, since the record describes his home only as his mothers home).  We also have a record from an early church writer named Papias that the Gospel of Mark was actually a compilation of accounts that Peter personally related to Mark. The point I’m trying to make is the unique, fortunate, spiritual experience Mark had as a young man. He’s witnessing a history altering revival; he has a strong Christian heritage; he’s rubbing shoulders with the giants of the Faith of his day; and he himself was already becoming known as a promising young man in the church. And this is literally just the beginning…

Around this time, Saul, the powerful persecutor of the church, was converted. Barnabas, the encourager, had to persuade the church (this will be important later) to give Saul a chance because they were suspicious of him. Saul (Paul) quickly became a powerful force in the church and it’s probably safe to say that outside of Jerusalem Paul had the most popular name as was the most critical Christian figure of their time (2 Corinthians 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:10). Well, Paul and Barnabas had a specific mission they were fulfilling in Jerusalem and “when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark” (Acts 12:25). God called Mark to be a missionary, and he just happened to join the most formidable missionary “A-Team” in the world. Mark transitioned from being a sidekick of the great Peter, to be an apprentice of the great Paul – a truly unique position!  

Of all places they are heading to the city of Antioch, dubbed “the cradle of Christianity,” where the disciples were first called Christians; the church from which the first foreign missionaries were sent out; here to participate once again in a critical shift in history – the door to the gentiles being fully swung open wide for the Gospel. Mark was at the epicenter of all of this. 

Acts 13 tells how a specific calling was placed on Paul and Barnabas to become the first official foreign missionaries in the history of the church. As they were being sent away it says that “they also had John (Mark) as their assistant” (Acts 13:5). Being an assistant was a critical role. He was there basically to be their deacon, so they could focus on the major task of preaching and teaching. Anything else they needed Mark could handle – whether it be communications, lodging, food, ministry help, etc. Here goes Mark, setting sail with these two giants. Imagine yourself launching out on an important mission, getting on a plane with the likes of Charles Spurgeon and Billy Graham in their prime, or Jonathan Edwards and DL Moody (you pick the team!). And to know that this is all in the perfect will and pleasure of God to do a great work for the Lord. 

The first stop was the island of Cyprus, where Mark witnessed some extraordinary things: Paul rebuked bar-Jesus the magician and false prophet, then cursed him with blindness that resulted in public humiliation. This in turn led to the conversion of the proconsul Sergius Paulus, the Roman leader of the whole Island. This was certainly a powerful beginning to the journey. From there they fully crossed over the Mediterranean and landed in Asia Minor. It was here – we don’t know why – but for whatever reason – Mark decided to abandon the mission. Something happened. Something pretty big somewhere along the road led up to this decision. Everything up to this point is just one glorious experience and great opportunity after another! Why just forsake it all now?! 

What happened? We don’t really know, but I think it would be helpful to think through some possible explanations…

Maybe young Mark jumped ship out of fear? Maybe he was troubled by the strange demonic activity and spectacular power of God in Cyprus? He may have been thinking, “This is too much for me.” Demonic forces are powerful and dark and can strike a terrible fear into you. Maybe he was afraid for his physical safety? There isn’t a record of their team being persecuted in Cyprus. He did see it in Jerusalem, and we know that later on this mission would prove to be excruciatingly painful (Paul was stoned to death basically), but Mark couldn’t have known for sure that would happen. If this is the case he chose to be ruled by fear over the power of God and the fear of God. 

Maybe it had something to do with his family? Mark didn’t go back to Antioch, but back to Jerusalem…back home. Maybe his mom was sick and needed him? This would certainly be a touchy situation based on the Lord’s teachings relevant to this: “And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:59-62), and, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). 

Maybe there was some kind of sin in his life? Perhaps he, like Demas, forsook the mission because he loved the present world? Or, maybe he was torn up internally because of some sin that he committed which drained him of spiritual fortitude and perseverance and just couldn’t hang in there any more. 

Maybe he was physically just worn out? It was definitely a supernatural work of God that kept Paul going through all of those missionary journeys over the years.  

Maybe Mark was confused and upset about how freely Paul was encouraging Gentiles to come into the Faith without meeting Jewish requirements first? The Jerusalem council was on the verge of happening. Mark was most likely Jewish. 

Maybe he was upset with Paul or Barnabas about something and there was tension between them? This very well could be- its hard to travel the way they did. Decisions could have been made by his superiors that jeopardized their safety, personal reputation, or the reputation of the Gospel. 

 In the end the Holy Spirit intentionally left the account vague. We fill in the blanks with our imagination and own circumstances. From everything I gather about who John Mark was, and whatever the reason why he left, I get the impression that it wasn’t a flippant decision. He probably wrestled hard over it and regretted very much that it happened. Perhaps this was even the hardest decision he had ever made in his life. I bet he felt like he was between a rock and a hard place, that no matter what he decided to do someone was going to get hurt. Maybe he didn’t even have confidence in the decision he was making, but made one because he felt he had to out of necessity. He may have lived with regret the whole voyage back home. He probably felt much embarrassment, having failed in this wonderful opportunity to travel with Paul and Barnabas and ashamed that he disappointed them, and left a great burden on them for the rest of the journey with no assistant. 

There’s some speculation on this next point, but I get the impression that when this decision was made, Mark hit a low point spiritually, maybe on the way back, maybe after he got back to Jerusalem and it really set in. “I blew it. This was my chance and I coward, or I yielded to my flesh, I gave up. What am I good for now? If I failed in this opportunity, what are the chances I’ll get another one like this?” 

Let’s start bringing home some applications. . . 

Maybe you’re the kind of person who had a wonderful initial experience with Christ. Maybe you had a great upbringing with some wonderful Christian friends and leaders, or maybe you came into that environment when you were converted. You jumped in, got involved, saw some amazing things happen, and you were promoted in the church because of your faithfulness. You rubbed shoulders with great saints and were a trusted servant to them. You got opportunities to serve alongside them. Then you got into the thick of the ministry in some way, or at least into the thick of deep, long-term relationships in the church. Then something happened. Something that brought you to a crossroads. Something that brought you to a decision that would disappoint other people and disappoint yourself. A decision that would break critical relationships, would rock the boat and have some negative fallout. The catalyst could have been anything – fear, sin, change in beliefs, doubt, exhaustion, etc. You rode on excitement for a while or on the original surge of your salvation, but now you’re wondering if you actually counted the cost or not. Whatever the reason behind the decision, the decision has been made. NOW, you are discouraged because of the effects of your decision. So what are you supposed to do now??? Let’s continue with the story . . . 

The next mention of Mark is as follows: “Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God” (Acts 15:35-40). 

A few things jump out at me here: 

#1 Mark is in Antioch serving in the church. The last we heard from him he went back home to Jerusalem, but now we see him back to the place where he left off serving the Lord: in the church, serving and available for the call to missions when it came. What should you do? Whatever has knocked you down spiritually, you must shake it off, and get back into the game. “A just man falls seven times, but he gets back up again” (Proverbs 24:16). I don’t know the exact time frame, but it was not very long after Mark departed that this new situation happened. Do whatever it takes to get back involved in whatever capacity you are able to, as quickly as possible. The longer you stay away from the church, from Christians and from the work of the ministry, the harder it is going to be to get back involved. 

# 2 Be thankful for Barnabas and don’t be discouraged by Paul. Neither Luke nor the Holy Spirit tells us who had the right position in the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. It makes sense knowing their personalities: Barnabas was an encourager and wanted to give Mark a second chance. Paul was an aggressive leader and didn’t want to involve anyone who would jeopardize the mission. Both sides had a point. I’m sure it hurt Mark knowing that the great Paul thought he was useless. Thankfully, there was another leader there willing to give him another chance. 

How about you? You may have been hurt badly by someone. Maybe a leader? Maybe someone you were totally blindsided by? Perhaps they didn’t handle their disagreement with you in a Biblical/Christ-like manner? Let me encourage you to not be so beat down by one, or a few individuals. Paul was wired by God to be the way he was. He was like a wise general who knew that victory in the field inevitably requires some casualties. Force your mind and heart to think the best of the people who have hurt you and mistreated you. Give them grace and mercy. I’m not saying to excuse their mistreatment of you, but I am saying to not allow their mistreatment of you to continue mistreating you through bitterness or discouragement. Mark continued with the mission, with the one who would give him a second chance. Instead of focusing on the people who have rejected you, focus on Jesus, who has fully and eternally welcomed you to himself and his mission. Find those people who do love you, understand you, and are willing to partner with you in the Gospel. 

#3 I see the providence of God at work here. Yes, there was unfortunate disagreement and tension. Yes, a great missionary unit was split. However, what this meant now, is that there were TWO teams going out, in opposite directions, to cover more ground for the Gospel! Two teams with seasoned veterans. Two teams with younger men who could now hold greater responsibility on the mission. God redeemed this disagreement and separation. 

Be encouraged my friend. Of course, God doesn’t want Christians to fight, be bitter and separate from each other. However, God doesn’t waste these situations either. He redeems them by using them to grow his children and to reposition them out in his field more effectively. If you let this take you out, that is definitely not the will of God. He wants you and still has a great plan for you. You may not see it now, but in time you’ll see more clearly how this heartbreaking situation is going to prove to be for the best in the end. 

Later On

This story really has a touching conclusion, namely, the reconciliation between Mark and Paul. It didn’t happen until about 10 years later, but it happened. Paul’s last years were spent in trials and imprisonment in Rome. Traveling, preaching and persecution was one kind of torture for Paul, but dwelling alone in a dungeon by himself was a whole different kind of torture for him. The book of 2 Timothy gives us a big glimpse into Paul’s heart in those times. He said, “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me” (1 Timothy 4:16). In other words, the first time he gave a defense before the court in Rome, he had no one there as a support witness. Now Paul is writing to Timothy from prison, shortly before he was to die, and at the end of the letter he talks about how he has kept the faith and that he fought a good fight and that he was ready to depart this earth. He mentions how his close fellow workers had either deserted him or left him: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me” (2 Timothy 4:10-11). It is here, in this place of loneliness and discouragement, where Paul requests of Timothy to “Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.” Wow! Paul is actually proactively requesting for Mark to come help him. He said that Mark was profitable (valuable, useful) to him. We don’t know what happened a decade earlier that caused Paul to so mistrust Mark, but thankfully, whatever it was, Paul had a change of heart and mind. 

Let me encourage you – It may take a decade for you to be reunited with those who have abandoned you. It may take two decades, or three. Paul was on death row. It may not be until those people are on their deathbed before they have a change of heart towards you. But be encouraged by this. It may happen, it may not, but in this story it did. I pray that you will receive that phone call one day, text message or email. It may just be a friendly communication, there may be an apology, or there may even be words of affirmation or gratitude, or may even be a call to work together with you again. If it does, amen. If that call never comes, then know that no matter what happens the Lord is with you. Never give up and hope that in God’s good time he will reconcile you.