Acts 12 25

Acts 12:25 kjv

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

Acts 12:25 nkjv

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

Acts 12:25 niv

When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Acts 12:25 esv

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Acts 12:25 nlt

When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them.

Acts 12 verses

Acts 12 25 Meaning

Acts 12:25 concludes a dramatic chapter with the transition of key figures. It states that Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having successfully completed their task of delivering relief to the believers in Judea. Significantly, they did not return alone but brought with them John, who was also known as Mark, indicating his introduction to the wider missionary effort that was soon to launch. This verse signals the conclusion of a specific mission and sets the stage for future apostolic endeavors.

Acts 12 25 Context

Acts chapter 12 vividly describes intense persecution faced by the early church in Jerusalem under Herod Agrippa I. It opens with the martyrdom of James, the brother of John, and the miraculous deliverance of Peter from prison. This dramatic divine intervention immediately precedes the spectacular, divinely-executed judgment on Herod, who is struck down for accepting praise due to God. Amidst this backdrop of divine power demonstrated against opposition, verse 25 marks a crucial turning point. While the "word of God grew and multiplied" (Acts 12:24) despite the persecution, the chapter concludes by shifting the geographical and ministerial focus away from Jerusalem's immediate turmoil and back to Antioch. Barnabas and Saul, who had previously been sent from Antioch to Jerusalem with a specific mission of relief, now return to their sending church, bringing a new associate, John Mark, with them. This sets the immediate stage for the church in Antioch to become the primary launching pad for Gentile evangelism.

Acts 12 25 Word analysis

• But Barnabas and Saul: Ὁ δὲ Βαρνάβας καὶ Σαῦλος (Ho de Barnabas kai Saulos)
  • Ὁ δὲ (Ho de): "But" or "Now." This connective particle signifies a transition or a slight contrast with what precedes it (Herod's death, the growing Word), drawing the focus back to Barnabas and Saul's activities. It marks a shift in narrative.
  • Βαρνάβας (Barnabas): Transliterated "Barnabas." His name means "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36). He was instrumental in bringing Saul (Paul) into the Jerusalem church and advocating for him, as well as initiating his ministry in Antioch.
  • Σαῦλος (Saulos): Transliterated "Saul." Later known as Paul (Acts 13:9). He was previously a persecutor of Christians but became a powerful apostle after his conversion. At this point, his primary base is Antioch, but he's serving with Barnabas.
• returned from Jerusalem: ὑπέστρεψαν ἐξ Ἱερουσαλὴμ (hypestrepsan ex Hierousalēm)
  • ὑπέστρεψαν (hypestrepsan): "they returned," "they came back." From hupostrephō, meaning "to turn back," "to return." Implies the completion of a journey or mission.
  • ἐξ Ἱερουσαλὴμ (ex Hierousalēm): "from Jerusalem." This specifies their point of departure, highlighting that their mission trip to the distressed Judean church was complete.
• when they had fulfilled their ministry,: πληρώσαντες τὴν διακονίαν (plērōsantes tēn diakonian)
  • πληρώσαντες (plērōsantes): "having fulfilled," "having completed," "when they had accomplished." From plēroō (to fill, complete, accomplish), the prefix ek intensifies it (as in ekplērōsanthes from the Nestle-Aland text). This suggests thoroughness and complete execution of their assigned task.
  • τὴν διακονίαν (tēn diakonian): "their ministry," "their service," "their ministration." This Greek term is crucial. It refers to a specific act of service or charitable aid, not just any work. Here, it refers specifically to the financial relief they delivered from Antioch to the famine-stricken Judean Christians (Acts 11:29-30). This highlights Christian care and fellowship beyond local churches.
• and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark. συμπαραλαβόντες Ἰωάννην τὸν ἐπικαλούμενον Μᾶρκον (symparalabontes Iōannēn ton epikaloumenon Markon)
  • συμπαραλαβόντες (symparalabontes): "taking along with them," "having taken with them." From symparalambanō, which indicates a deliberate act of choosing someone to accompany on a journey or work. It implies inviting someone to join them.
  • Ἰωάννην (Iōannēn): "John." A common Hebrew name (Yochanan), meaning "Yahweh is gracious."
  • τὸν ἐπικαλούμενον (ton epikaloumenon): "who was called," "whose surname was." Refers to his secondary, usually Roman, name.
  • Μᾶρκον (Markon): "Mark." A common Roman cognomen. Having both a Hebrew and a Roman name was typical for Jews interacting in the Hellenistic world. John Mark's mother, Mary, hosted prayer meetings for the persecuted church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12), showing his strong connections to the early Christian community and providing context for why he joined them.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "But Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem": This phrase marks a deliberate and significant return journey, closing out one phase of ministry (the famine relief) and setting the stage for the next. Their shared mission cemented their partnership before their pivotal missionary journey.
• "when they had fulfilled their ministry": This emphasizes successful completion of their divinely-appointed task. It underlines the concept of Christian service (diakonia) not as mere action but as dedicated completion of a specific charge from the Body of Christ. This was not a side trip, but a purposeful "ministry."
• "and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark": This signals an expansion of the ministry team. The inclusion of John Mark, a younger relative of Barnabas, is a critical development, hinting at a new era of evangelistic outreach and providing background for later events in Acts, particularly regarding missionary disputes.

Acts 12 25 Bonus section

• The term "ministry" (diakonia) in this context specifically denotes a charitable relief effort, contrasting with broader interpretations of "ministry" as preaching or leading. It emphasizes practical compassion as a vital aspect of early Christian life and inter-church relations.
• John Mark's joining Barnabas and Saul provides a crucial link between the church in Jerusalem (his home and his mother's prominent role) and the Antioch church, from which the mission would originate. This cross-pollination of leaders and connections was essential for the unity and spread of the early church.
• The placement of this verse immediately after the growth of the word despite persecution (Acts 12:24) implies a divine counter-narrative: earthly rulers and persecutions rise and fall, but the committed, compassionate service of God's people continues, propelled by the Word. This is a subtle polemic against the notion that political power or worldly forces can ultimately stop God's redemptive plan.
• The deliberate action of "taking along" John Mark highlights mentorship and the strategic raising up of new workers in the early church. This practice was vital for the multiplication of Christian leaders and missionaries.

Acts 12 25 Commentary

Acts 12:25 serves as a bridge, concluding the powerful events in Jerusalem—Peter’s miraculous release and Herod’s swift judgment—and redirecting the narrative flow back to Antioch. Barnabas and Saul’s "fulfilled ministry" was a tangible expression of inter-church solidarity, demonstrating the practical outworking of Christ's body caring for its members in need. This selfless service was an act of genuine diakonia, a core aspect of Christian discipleship exemplified by Jesus Himself. Their return from the epicenter of persecution underscores the resilience and continued expansion of God's Word, even as human powers oppose it. The addition of John Mark to their company is pivotal, not just for his immediate role but also for his subsequent growth as a Gospel writer and crucial figure in early church history. This seemingly brief detail foreshadows the strategic training of future leaders and the ongoing, intentional expansion of the apostolic mission from Antioch, signaling the readiness for the great missionary journey to the Gentiles. The verse beautifully intertwines practical aid, faithful stewardship, and the raising up of new workers, encapsulating the dynamism of the early church.