Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 15:37

"And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark." — Acts 15:37 (ASV)

Barnabas determined.—The Greek verb is hardly so strong, better, was minded. The ties of relationship led the uncle, or cousin, to wish to make another trial of his kinsman’s fitness (Colossians 4:10). He saw extenuating circumstances which St. Paul could not recognise, and which half-excused his turning back when he had set his hand to the plough. (See Note on Acts 13:13.) To St. Paul, one who had so acted seemed, in our Lord’s words, not fit for the kingdom of God, and needing at least the discipline of rejection for a time, from the higher work for which he had shown himself unworthy.