Acts 15:39

And the contention was so sharp, … that, &c. More literally (with R. V.), And there arose a sharp contention so that, &c. The Greek word (from which our English paroxysmcomes) intimates a temporary rather than a prolonged dispute, although it may for the time be severe. The result to the church was that two missionary journeys were undertaken instead of one. Though the Apostles might differ in their estimate of Mark, they were at one with reference to the work of the Gospel. Barnabas is mentioned no more in the Acts after this chapter. His name occurs in St Paul's Epistles, 1 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2:1; Galatians 2:9; Galatians 2:13; and Colossians 4:10, in which last passage, written no doubt after the events here related, we can see that Mark had been again received as a fellow-worker by St Paul. We learn too from 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 1:24 that St Paul became warmly attached to him afterwards.

sailed unto Cyprus In which island Barnabas, and it may be Mark also, was born (Acts 4:37). They chose therefore for their labours a district in which they were likely to have some influence.