John Mark

12Once he understood, Peter went to Mary's house. She was the mother of John, who was also called Mark. Many people were gathered there, praying.

And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

NoteMark is the same John Mark who later wrote one of the books about Jesus. In those days people met in houses to pray, because they had no church buildings.

13Peter knocked at the outer gate. A servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it.

And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

NoteA servant girl worked in the house and helped the family. Big houses had a wall around them with a gate. Someone had to walk out to the gate to see who was knocking.

14She knew Peter's voice. She was so happy that she did not open the gate. She ran back inside and said Peter was standing outside.

And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15They said to her, "You are out of your mind." But she kept saying it was true. Then they said, "It must be his angel."

And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

NoteMany people back then believed each person had an angel who watched over them. They thought that angel might sound just like the person. So they guessed it was Peter's angel at the gate, not Peter.

16Peter kept on knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they could hardly believe it.

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

17Peter waved his hand for them to be quiet. He told them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, "Tell James and the other believers about this." Then he left and went somewhere else.

But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

NoteThis is a different James from the one in verse 2. This James was Jesus' brother, and he was a leader in Jerusalem. The old words say "the brethren," which means the other people who followed Jesus.

24But God's message kept growing and spreading to more and more people.

But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Note"The word of God" means the message about Jesus. More and more people were hearing it and believing it.

25Barnabas and Saul finished the work they came to do in Jerusalem. Then they went back, and they took John, who was also called Mark, with them.

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

NoteBarnabas and Saul were two friends who traveled to tell people about Jesus. Saul is the same man later called Paul. They had brought help to Jerusalem for people who did not have enough food.

1In the city of Antioch, the church had prophets and teachers. They were Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius from Cyrene. There was also Manaen, who grew up with Herod the ruler, and Saul.

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

NoteA church here means a group of Jesus' followers who met together. A prophet is someone who told people what God said. Antioch was a big city far north of Jerusalem. Cyrene was a city in Africa. Herod was a ruler who worked for the Romans.

2One day they were worshiping God and fasting, which means going without food to pray. The Holy Spirit said, "Set apart Barnabas and Saul for me. I have work for them to do."

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

NoteFasting means going without food for a while. People did it to help them pray. The King James says "Holy Ghost." Ghost was an old word for spirit, so this means the Holy Spirit.

3So they fasted and prayed some more. They laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul. Then they sent them off.

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

NotePutting your hands on someone's head was a way of praying for them. It showed the church was sending them out with its blessing.

4The Holy Spirit had sent them out. They went down to the town of Seleucia. From there they sailed to the island of Cyprus.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

NoteSeleucia was the port town where ships left from. Cyprus is a big island out in that sea.

5In the town of Salamis they told God's word in the Jewish meeting places. John came along to help them.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

NoteA Jewish meeting place was called a synagogue. People gathered there to pray and read God's word. The King James calls John their "minister." Here that word just means helper.

13Paul and his friends sailed away from Paphos. They came to the town of Perga in the land of Pamphylia. There John left them and went back to Jerusalem.

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

NotePerga and Pamphylia were a town and a region in the land we now call Turkey. This John is also called John Mark.

14They went on from Perga to Antioch in the land of Pisidia. On the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest, they went into the meeting place and sat down.

But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

NoteThis is a different Antioch from the one in verse 1. Two towns had the same name. The Sabbath was the Jewish day of rest and worship. In the meeting place, a teacher sat down to speak.

36Some days later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit our brothers. Let's go to every town where we told people the Lord's message. We can see how they are doing."

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.

Note"Brothers" here does not mean boys from the same family. It means the other people who follow Jesus.

37Barnabas wanted to take John with them. John was also called Mark.

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38But Paul did not think that was a good idea. Mark had left them back in Pamphylia. He had not stayed to do the work with them.

But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

NotePamphylia was a land they had visited on an earlier trip. Mark had left them there and gone home.

39They disagreed so strongly that they split up and went different ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

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;

NoteCyprus is an island in the sea. It was the place where Barnabas had grown up.

40Paul chose Silas and left. The believers asked God to be kind to Paul and take care of him.

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

NoteThe believers prayed for Paul before he left. They asked God to be kind to him and keep him safe.

41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia. He made the churches there stronger.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

NoteSyria and Cilicia were the lands Paul came from. The churches there were small groups of believers. They often met in someone's house.

10Aristarchus is in prison with me. He says hello. So does Mark, the close relative of Barnabas. You were already told about Mark. If he comes to you, welcome him.

Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

NoteAristarchus was locked up with Paul. Barnabas was a kind man who traveled with Paul to teach. Mark had left Paul on an earlier trip. So Paul makes sure the church knows Mark is welcome now.

11Jesus, who is also called Justus, says hello. These men are Jewish. They are the only Jewish helpers working with me for God's kingdom. They have been a comfort to me.

And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

NoteJewish means born into Israel, the people God chose long ago. Most of Paul's helpers were not Jewish. These three men were.

9Please try hard to come to me soon.

Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

10Demas loved this world more, so he left me. He went to the city of Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus went to Dalmatia.

For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

NoteThessalonica, Galatia, and Dalmatia were faraway places. There were no cars or planes. People walked or sailed in boats, and a trip could take weeks. Demas, Crescens, and Titus were friends who helped Paul teach.

11Only Luke is still here with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. He is a big help to me in my work.

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

NoteLuke and Mark were friends who traveled with Paul. They helped him tell people about Jesus.

12Silvanus helped me get this short letter to you. I count him as a brother I can trust. I wrote to cheer you on. I wanted to tell you that this is God's real kindness. Stand strong in it.

By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

NoteThere was no mail back then. A friend had to carry a letter by boat or on foot. Silvanus carried this one. He is called Silas in other parts of the Bible.

13The believers in the city of Babylon say hello to you. God chose them, just as he chose you. Mark, who is like a son to me, says hello too.

The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

NoteBabylon was a famous old city far away to the east. Many people think Peter really meant Rome. Rome was the huge city that ruled everyone then. Using a different name helped keep his friends safe.

14Say hello to each other with a kiss that shows love. Peace to all of you who belong to Christ Jesus. Amen.

Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.