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11: 22 - 12: 23.
Development in Antioch
Barnabas and
12: 24.
ANTIOCH.
suggests that Saul be
Saul.
"But the Word of God
Jews,
sought.
grew and multiplied."
Hellenists and
Herod kills James and is
Gentiles.
himself smitten.
12: 25 - 16: 4.
Saul separated.
Paul, Barnabas,
16: 5.
Asia Minor.
Dispensational miracle.
Silas and
"And so were the
First missionary journey.
Timothy.
churches established in
Defends gospel of
the faith and increased in
uncircumcision.
number daily."
16: 6 - 19: 19.
Paul enters Europe;
Paul, Timothy
19: 20.
Europe.
founds churches.
and Silas,
"So mightily grew the
Second and Third
Aquila, Priscilla
Word of God and
missionary journey.
and Apollos.
prevailed"
19: 21
"I must see Rome" and
28: 31.
- 28: 30.
"Spain".
Paul.
"Preaching the kingdom
ROME.
Paul a prisoner.
of God, and teaching
Gentiles only.
First ministry finished.
those
things
which
Looking forward to the
concern the Lord Jesus
new ministry.
Christ,
with
all
Taken to Rome.
confidence,
no
man
Israel set aside.
forbidding him."
It will be seen from this tabulation that Acts 12: 24, 25 must be included in the new
section of the Acts, which reveals the growth of the Word, in spite of Herod's actions,
which are those of a potential antichrist (Acts 12: 20-22). Barnabas and Saul returned
from Jerusalem, and took with them "John, whose surname was Mark" (Acts 12: 25).
This disciple's mother was Mary, to whose house Peter made his way after being
liberated from prison by the angel (Acts 12: 12). John Mark was the minister of
Barnabas and Saul when they sailed from Antioch on their first missionary journey
(Acts 13: 5). But at Perga in Phamphylia he parted from them and returned to
Jerusalem. Col. 4: 10 informs us that John Mark was "sister's son", or "cousin" (R.V.)
to Barnabas, and it would seem that this blood relationship may have prevented Barnabas
from viewing Paul's objection dispassionately, which led to the separation of Barnabas
and Paul on the threshold of the new journey into Europe (Acts 15: 37-39). Nevertheless
it is good to record, not only for John Mark's sake, but also for the sake of the apostle
who once had refused his further services, that, later, Paul could write:
"Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry"
(II Tim. 4: 11).
These gracious words were said to one who had been called to the Lord's service
almost immediately after the defection of Barnabas, and would have the effect of
silencing discouraging criticism. The apostle mentions "Marcus" (exactly the same name
as "Mark") in Philemon 24, and Peter calls Marcus his "son" in I Pet. 5: 13. Whether
these references are to the same man we cannot tell, nor can any affirm whether or not
"John Mark" is the writer of the "Gospel according to Mark". Tradition has it that John