15:36
After the harmony achieved over the circumcision issue, we now come to disharmony. The harmony had been achieved by debate and discussion. The disharmony we see at the end of the chapter is not resolved at this point, except by Paul and Barnabas going their separate ways. Though it would be resolved later on. Paul wanted to go back to visit the believers in all the places they had previously visited.
15:37-41
Barnabas wanted to take John Mark. This was the John Mark who had left them in Perga (Acts 13:13). Paul considered this a serious matter, which Luke seems to agree with as he uses the word “deserted”, which isn’t quite the word used in Acts 13. Barnabas did not hold anything against John Mark. There was a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, and one that was not resolved, but ended in them going their separate ways. Barnabas took Mark and went off to Cyprus. Paul took Silas. It says that Paul and Silas were commended by the church, but makes no such comment about Barnabas. Acts, along with the rest of the Bible, is very honest about human frailties.
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