Colossians 4:10-11

10. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him), 11. and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me.

Translation and Paraphrase

10. Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner greets you; also Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, (greets you). You have received instructions concerning him (Mark). If he comes to you, receive him (as you should).
11. Also Jesus (sends greetings), the one called Justus. These (men I have named are) the only fellow workers (now with me) for the kingdom of God from the circumcision, (they are Jews; and I assure you that they are brethren) who have been a comfort to me.

Notes

1.

Colossians 4:10-11 lists three Jewish companions of Paul who were with him at that time; Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus called Justus. These three men sent greetings to the Colossian church. The verb salute in Colossians 4:10; Colossians 4:12; Colossians 4:14, etc., means to greet.

2.

Aristarchus is mentioned in Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Acts 27:2; and Philemon 1:24. He was a Thessalonian. He was in Ephesus during Paul's long stay there, and was seized by Ephesian rioters looking for Paul. He was one of the bearers of the offering Paul collected for the poor Judeans. He travelled with Paul on his last ship journey to Rome. In Rome he was a fellow-prisoner with Paul. He seems to have had a bravery and valor about him that was unusual. Paul had several such companions about whom we know little. We look forward to getting better acquainted with them in the new heaven and earth.

3.

The reference to Mark here in Colossians comes as a pleasure to us. Mark (also called John, or John Mark) had once been a disappointment to Paul, because he had abandoned Paul and Barnabas midway during their first missionary trip. (Acts 13:5; Acts 13:13). This so disturbed Paul that he would not take Mark on his second trip. (Acts 15:37-39). But now Paul is reconciled to Mark, and has given him a special important mission. We do not know what Paul had assigned him to do. But Paul had sent instructions to the Colossians concerning Mark, and here urges them to welcome him if he came to them.

4.

The Mark referred to here in undoubtedly the same person who wrote the gospel of Mark in later years. In the gospel Mark never names himself, but seems to be the one referred to as a certain young man. (Mark 14:51-52). In the book of Acts Mark is usually called John, or John Mark. His mother's name was Mary. We discover here in Colossians that Mark was a cousin of Barnabas. (Acts 12:12). (The Gr. word anepsios translated cousin here in Colossians is used in Numbers 33:11 in LXX to refer to father's brother's sons.) Perhaps the relationship between Barnabas and Mark explains why Barnabas was willing to take Mark on the second missionary trip when Paul was not.

For information regarding Barnabas, see Acts 4:36-37; Acts 11:22-26; Acts 13:1-3.

5.

Paul mentions another Jewish associate (the expression of the circumcision refers to Jews) who was with him, one Jesus called Justus. He was a Jew with a Roman name. We know nothing more about him.

6.

The statement of Paul that only three men of his Jewish associates were with him in Rome has a sadness in it. See Acts 28:25; They departed. Others had been no comfort to Paul, but these three had truly been a comfort to him. Paul calls them workers unto (or for: Gr. eis) the kingdom of God.

Study and Review

8.

Who is called Paul's fellow-prisoner? (Colossians 4:10)

9.

What else do we know about the one who is called Paul's fellow-prisoner? (See Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4; Acts 27:2)

10.

To whom was Mark related?

11.

What previous dealings had Paul had with Mark? (Acts 13:5; Acts 13:13; Acts 15:37-40)

12.

What special instructions were given to the Colossians about Mark?

13.

What group of people are those of the circumcision?

14.

What companions of Paul were of the circumcision? (Give names)

15.

What had Paul's fellow-workers been unto him? (Colossians 4:11)