39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;



Ver. 39. And the contention, &c.] The paroxysm ( ðáñïîõóìïò ) or fit of a fever, so great was the commotion, the perturbation. St Luke being a physician, saith Brentius, useth here a physical expression. Heed must be taken that we overshoot not in the best causes, lest if we be overshot, God’s wrath be kindled against us. There is a most sad story of the dissension between Luther and Carolostadius, both good men. And another as sad of those who fled to Frankfort hence in Queen Mary’s days; yet among them there were such grievous breaches that they sought the lives one of another, picking out some words against the emperor, in a sermon that Master Knox had preached in England long before, and now accusing him for them to the magistrates of Frankfort, upon which divers of them were fain to flee.



That they departed asunder] And we read not that they joined any more together after this. Barnabas we find halting together with Peter, Gal_2:13, rather than he would walk uprightly together with his old associate Paul, Act_15:14, for the which Paul reproved Peter, who yet maketh honourable mention of Paul, 2Pe_3:15, which was his holy ingenuity. But much to be commended were Basil and Eusebius, who perceiving the Arians to improve a difference between them to the prejudice of the orthodox, were soon reconciled, and united their forces against the common enemy.