Acts 12:25

Barnabas and Saul returned. That is, from their visit to Jerusalem (ch. 11:27–30) to their labors among the Gentile converts in Antioch (see below on “from Jerusalem”; see also Additional Notes at end of chapter, Note 2).

From Jerusalem. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “unto Jerusalem,” as though Barnabas and Saul were returning to Jerusalem from “their ministry” in the field at Antioch. However, most of the editors of the Greek text, obviously judging from the context and considering that ch. 12:25 is the conclusion of ch. 11:27–30, prefer to regard as original the less well-attested reading “from Jerusalem,” as in the KJV. A suggestion has been made whereby the better-attested reading can be understood in this same sense, by reversing the order of “unto Jerusalem” and “when they had fulfilled their ministry.” The unpunctuated Greek text allows this translation, which would read literally, “Barnabas and Saul returned, having fulfilled their ministry unto Jerusalem.”

Fulfilled their ministry. Or, “charge,” “deaconate,” “ministration.” The Greek word is the same as that translated “relief” in ch. 11:29. Barnabas and Saul completed the mission on which they had been dispatched by the church at Antioch.

Took with them John. See on v. 12. The choice is partly explained by John’s relationship to Barnabas (Col. 4:10), but it shows also that John was entering heartily into the work of converting the Gentiles. See Acts 13:5, 13; 15:37–39; 2 Tim. 4:11. Apparently, he had been living at home in Jerusalem until this time.