Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. This man is not introduced to us for the first time in this verse, but this may be regarded as his formal introduction. For the sketch of his life, which should prepare for our study of his character, our readers are referred to our Commentary on St. Mark's Gospel. We only recall to mind a few prominent points. 1. He was evidently at this time a comparatively young man. 2. He was directly associated with the early disciples, as they seem to have met at his mother's house. 3. It is more than probable that he had personally known the Lord Jesus Christ. 4. He was closely related to Barnabas, being his sister's son. 5. He was, very probably, a rich young man, and devoted his wealth to the missionary work of the Church. 6. His office, as minister or attendant on Barnabas and Paul, was one necessitated by the difficulties and perils of traveling in those times. 7. In spirit and character John Mark should be carefully compared with Timothy. We note that he always occupies a subordinate position, but that there was a precise sphere which he could occupy, and a useful work given him to do. His failure from missionary work may be regarded as an indication that he had not, at that time, found his proper sphere. The man who was to prepare a written Gospel had not the kind of boldness and energy that was necessary for dangerous traveling. As suggestive and opening the way for a full study of his character, we notice that he was sincere, studious, timid, impulsive, and patient. I. SINCERE. His failure was in no way a sign of unfaithfulness to Christ. He left Barnabas and Saul, but he did not cease to minister to Christ. Years after he is spoken of for his profitableness, and he was evidently a sincere Christian. It may be shown how sincerity is the leading Christian virtue, and how it will abide and sanctify all varieties of disposition, character, talent, and adaptations for service. We can all be sincere. II. STUDIOUS. Of a meditative and thoughtful habit, finding his right place when collecting the records of our Lord's words and deeds, and possibly doing so under St. Peter's supervision. God needs studious men, but they are seldom fitted for any other than their own particular work. They are hardly ever prepared for the public conflicts of life, and they have even some characteristic moral frailties. St. Paul knew the weakness of the studious Timothy, and bids him "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." III. TIMID. This was the secret of his unwillingness to venture on the perilous journey into Asia Minor. Shrinking from danger, and even from exertion and enterprise. Such men never can be leaders. They had better stay at home. They seldom can be men of great faith. Their mental history matches their material history - they are timid about the truth, seldom quite sure of their own hold of it, and ever ready to join the foolish cry, "The Church is in danger." We get no heroic champions from the class to which John Mark belonged. IV. IMPULSIVE. Some have thought that the young man who was nearly arrested with Christ was John Mark, and that he had heard the noise, and impulsively rushed out of his house to see what was going on, and had forgotten his outer robe. The same impulsiveness is seen in his refusing to go on with the missionaries. But notice how it differs from the impulsiveness of St. Peter or of St. Paul. It was a kind of negative impulsiveness, not urging him to do, but keeping him from doing. A dangerous spirit to cherish into strength. V. PATIENT. This we may see illustrated in his Gospel, remembering that he had not the personal experiences of St. Matthew or St. John, and had to collect and collate his materials. From John Mark we may learn these things. 1. A man has his own particular work for which he is divinely fitted. 2. If a man makes the mistake of trying to do somebody else's work, it is a blessed thing that God's providence stops him, and turns him into the path where he may work efficiently and successfully. - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. |
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