10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.” (Colossians 4:10–11 (ESV)
At the end of the Apostle Paul’s New Testament Epistles, he often included final greetings. These remarks usually mentioned fellow servants of Christ who ministered to him and alongside him. They may be identified as superstar-less servants. For the next several weeks, we’ll discover some insights from Paul about his many companions. Today, it is a trio of individuals: Aristarchus, Mark and Justus who were fellow Jews, workers for the Gospel and the kingdom of God.
Aristarchus was a Jewish Macedonian from Thessalonica. He is first mentioned as one of those seized by an angry mob in Ephesus (Acts 19:29). Later he accompanied Paul on the return trip to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey (Acts 20:4). He also travelled with Paul to Rome to face Caesar (Acts 27:1–2). Paul described him as a coworker (Phlm 1:24) and fellow prisoner from whom he received great comfort (Col 4:10–11). Tradition says that Aristarchus was martyred in Rome under Nero.
Mark was known as the evangelist. His first name was John and his surname was Mark” (Acts 12:12, 25). Mark (Marcus, Col. 4:10, etc.) was his Roman name, which gradually superseded his Jewish name John. He is called John (Acts 13:5, 13), and Mark (Acts 15:39, 2 Tim. 4:11).
Mark’s mother’s name was Mary. She apparently was a woman of some means and influence. Mark was probably born in Jerusalem, where his mother lived (Acts 12:12). There is no information about Mark’s father.
Mark was a cousin of Barnabas (Col. 4:10).
“It was in his mother’s house that Peter found “many gathered together praying” when he was released from prison; and it is probable that it was here that he was converted by Peter, who calls him his “son” (1 Pet. 5:13),” states one commentator.
It is likely the “young man” spoken of in Mark 14:51-52 was Mark himself. He is first specifically mentioned in Acts 12:25. He went with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey (about A.D. 47) as their “minister,” but for some reason returned home when they reached Perga in Pamphylia (Acts 12:25; 13:13). Three years later a “sharp contention” arose between Paul and Barnabas (15:36–40), because Paul would not take Mark with them on a second mission’s trip.
However, Mark reconciled with Paul, for he was with him in his first imprisonment at Rome (Col. 4:10; Philemon 1:24). At a later time, Mark was with Peter in Babylon or Rome (1 Pet. 5:13). Mark was also with Timothy in Ephesus when Paul wrote him during his second imprisonment (2 Tim. 4:11). Paul wrote Mark was useful to him for ministry.
Thirdly, Paul mentioned Justus, also known as Jesus. He was Jewish. We also know Paul called him a fellow worker and a comfort, as were the other two men.
“Justus is included among only three Jews who are said to have assisted Paul as “fellow workers for the kingdom of God” (Colossians 4:11). But Paul is quick to point out that he, together with Aristarchus and Mark, were “a comfort” to him. Although Paul was courageous and willing to endure whatever suffering came his way, he was susceptible to discouragement and depression and disillusionment like the rest of us. These men comforted him! They spoke truth to his soul. They reminded him daily of God’s faithfulness and goodness and the heavenly reward that lay ahead. Such people Paul praises,” explains commentator and author Sam Storms.
Dr. William Hendriksen states, “It must not escape our attention that the apostle’s statement with reference to these three men as the only Jewish-Christian fellow-workers who had been a comfort to him implies deep disappointment with other people of his own race. Paul was painfully aware of his estrangement from his own people (Rom. 9:1–5). And he was not insensitive to the fact that the Judaists (Jews who confessed Jesus but over-emphasized the law) regarded him with suspicion (Acts 15:1, 2, 24; 21:20, 21; Gal. 2:12; Phil. 3:21). It cannot be wrong to regard Phil. 1:14–17; 2:20, 21; 2 Tim. 4:16 as shedding further light on the apostle’s feelings anent this matter. All the more, therefore, does he appreciate the co-operation he is receiving from Aristarchus, Mark, and Jesus Justus!”
May people view us as fellow-workers and a comfort. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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