John Mark, Helper of Paul - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem they also took with them John whose surname was Mark They also had John as their assistant they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
Acts 12:25; 13:5, 13; Acts 15:37-38

John Mark, Helper of Paul
"How can this be?" we ask. Thank God, His Word tells us not only of John Mark's failure, but also of His recovery, so that He, of all persons, eventually wrote the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel setting before us the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Perfect Servant.

John Mark was Barnabas's relative. Barnabas and Saul, whom we know as Paul, took him along to Antioch from Jerusalem. Later he went with them as a helper on their first missionary journey. They went first to Cyprus, traversing the island. But once on the mainland again, John Mark left them and went home.

Paul was so strongly against taking him along a second time that he and Barnabas parted company in service. Barnabas then took John Mark with him and evidently was a great help to him. They almost fade out of the picture, while God concentrates attention on Paul's ministry. Peter evidently had a large part in helping in this young brother's spiritual growth as well. He refers to him as "Mark my son" in 1 Peter 5:13. No doubt Mark learned much more about the Lord Jesus from him and so grew spiritually. Our failures are not necessarily the end of our service to the Lord.

When Paul writes to the Colossians from imprisonment in Rome, he tells them to welcome Mark. And in his final letter he asks Timothy to bring Mark with him, "for he is useful to me for ministry" (; 2 Tim. 4:11). A wonderful recovery indeed!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.