Albert Barnes Commentary Colossians 4:10

"Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him)," — Colossians 4:10 (ASV)

Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner. Aristarchus was from Thessalonica and is mentioned in Acts 19:29 and Acts 20:4 as Paul's companion in his travels. In Acts 27:2, it is said that he accompanied him on his voyage to Rome, and from the passage before us, it appears that he was imprisoned there with him. As he held the same sentiments as Paul and was united with him in his travels and labors, it was natural that he should be treated in the same manner. He, together with Gaius, had been seized in the tumult at Ephesus and treated with violence; but he adhered to the apostle in all his troubles and attended him in all his perils. Nothing further is certainly known of him, though the Greeks say that he was bishop of Assamea in Syria and was beheaded with Paul at Rome under Nero. Calmet.

And Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas. This refers to John Mark, concerning whom Paul and Barnabas had formerly disagreed so strongly that it caused a separation between them. The reason for the disagreement was that Barnabas wished to take him with them in their travels, probably on account of their relationship; Paul was unwilling to take him because he had, on one occasion, departed from them.

They later became reconciled, and Paul mentions Mark here with affection. He sent for him when he sent Tychicus to Ephesus, and it seems that Mark had come to him in obedience to his request (2 Timothy 4:11). Mark had probably become more resolute, and Paul did not harbor unkind and unforgiving feelings toward anyone.

Touching whom you received commandments. What these directions were, and how they were communicated—whether verbally or by writing—is now unknown. It was likely on some occasion when Paul was with them. He refers to it here so that they might clearly know whom he meant.

If he comes to you, receive him. In Philemon 1:24, Mark is mentioned as a "fellow-laborer" of Paul. It would seem probable, therefore, that he was not a prisoner. Paul here intimates that Mark was about to leave Rome, and he urges the Colossians to receive him kindly. This instruction may have been necessary, as the Colossians may have been aware of the breach between Mark and Paul, and may have been disposed to regard him with suspicion. Paul retained no malice and now warmly commended one from whom he was formerly constrained to separate.