August 31, 2025 – The Day a Quitter Got Back in the Game (John Mark) – Acts 13:13; Acts 15:36–41; 2 Timothy 4:11

John Mark walked away from ministry. Years later, Paul asked for him by name. God’s not done writing your story either.

 Acts 13:13, 15:36-41, and 2 Timothy 4:11 all involve John Mark and his relationship with Paul and Barnabas. In Acts 13:13, John Mark leaves Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey. In Acts 15:36-41, Paul and Barnabas have a sharp disagreement over whether to take John Mark on a second missionary journey, leading to their separation. Later, in 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul asks Timothy to bring John Mark to him, indicating a reconciliation and John Mark’s usefulness in ministry.  

Elaboration:
Acts 13:13: During Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey, John Mark, who was accompanying them, leaves them in Pamphylia and returns to Jerusalem.  

Acts 15:36-41: . Paul and Barnabas plan a second missionary journey. Barnabas wants to take John Mark again, but Paul objects because John Mark had previously deserted them. This disagreement leads to a separation, with Barnabas taking John Mark to Cyprus, while Paul chooses Silas and travels through Syria and Cilicia.  

2 Timothy 4:11:  In this letter, Paul, writing from prison, asks Timothy to bring John Mark to him, stating that John Mark is useful for ministry. This indicates that Paul and John Mark reconciled at some point after their disagreement in Acts 15.  

Acts 13:13
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia

13 Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem,

Acts 15:36-41
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. 39 The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and set out, the brothers and sisters commending him to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

2 Timothy 4:11
 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in ministry.