Acts 15:37

Determined. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the reading “was minded,” or “desired.” Undoubtedly it was Barnabas’ family relationship with John Mark that led him to wish to take the young man once more on a missionary tour, to give him an opportunity to show his fitness for service (see Col. 4:10). Doubtless he recognized, as Paul did not, circumstances that at least in part excused John’s former turning back from an arduous task (see on Acts 13:13). To Paul, the earnest and courageous warrior for Christ, anyone who had so acted seemed, in the Lord’s own words, not “fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62), and was in need of discipline, of rejection at least for a time, to fit himself for further work.

Surname. Literally, “who is called.”