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The fact that such a scene is recorded proves the genuineness of the men. Had it been their object to impose upon mankind, such a scene as this would have been either not mentioned at all, or would have appeared in such a form as to conceal altogether what is morally offensive. As genuine men, they reveal themselves to us in the costume of real life, with all their imperfections about them. Note here —

I. THAT PROBABILITY IS NO CERTAIN GUIDE FOR US IN JUDGING THE FUTURE. To all who were acquainted with these apostles, nothing could have appeared more improbable than that they should ever quarrel. They were both good men, they were old friends. They had been fellow labourers for a long time. They were apostles too, acting under the inspiration and direction of Christ. Under such circumstances, could anything appear more improbable than that such men should quarrel? Yet they did. We look to the future, and say, probably such an event will happen; yet how often the future falsifies our calculations and disappoints our hopes.

II. THAT LITTLE THINGS ARE OFTEN MORE TRYING TO THE TEMPER THAN GREAT. These men for years had been in the most trying circumstances together. They had contended together with the bigoted Jew and the idolatrous Gentile. They had just returned from Jerusalem, where they had engaged in a most exciting debate, and seem to have gone through the whole of these things with unbroken equanimity. But now the mere question as to whether John should accompany them produces great irritation. Now this seems to us a small matter compared with other things that engaged their united attention; and yet it was this that broke the harmony of their friendship. It is often so. Call men together to discuss small questions, and they will quarrel; call them to work out a great object, and they will be cordial and unanimous. The best way to promote Church union is to engage in great works. Flies irritate the noble steed more than the roll of the chariot wheel.

III. THAT CHRISTIANITY ALLOWS SCOPE FOR DISCRETIONARY ACTION. These apostles took upon themselves to decide as to whether John should accompany them or not. No principle was involved in it — it was a mere question of expediency. We are allowed no discretionary action either as to moral principles or cardinal truths. But there is much in connection with the methods of extending Christianity that is left entirely with our judgment. Hence the discussion at Jerusalem was under the direction of the Holy Spirit. But here there was no special direction. Many such questions are left for such treatment — Church government, etc.

IV. THAT THE BEST OF MEN ARE NOT ABSOLUTELY INFALLIBLE. When the apostles spoke and acted under the inspiration of the Spirit, they were infallible. But they did not always thus speak and act, as the event we are discussing shows. There is but one perfect example, and thank God there is One; and He is to be followed through evil as well as good report.

V. THAT UNDER THE GRACIOUS RULE OF HEAVEN EVIL IS MADE SUBSERVIENT TO THE PROGRESS OF GOOD.

1. An increased area of usefulness. Instead of one district for both, which was contemplated, there was one for each. It led Paul into Europe.

2. An increased power of usefulness. Instead of two men there were four.

VI. THAT EARNEST WORK WILL INEVITABLY RECTIFY OUR TEMPERS. They had not been parted long, I presume, before every particle of animosity went out. We find Paul referring kindly to Mark (Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24), and also to Barnabas (1 Corinthians 9:6).

(D. Thomas, D. D.)

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

WEB: Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.