In 47 C.E., Barnabas and Saul were selected to do missionary work. They took Mark along, but for some unexplained reason, Mark later left them and returned home to Jerusalem. Saul, who came to be known by his Roman name Paul, was angry. And he did not ignore what he considered a serious failure on Mark’s part.​—Acts 13:1-3, 9, 13.

When returning from their missionary tour, Paul and Barnabas reported wonderful successes. (Acts 14:24-28) Months later, the two planned to return and visit new converts where they had preached. Barnabas wanted to take Mark along, but do you know what Paul thought?— He “did not think it proper” because Mark had earlier left them to go home.

Later, when Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he commended Mark for his loyal support. (Colossians 4:10, 11) And when Paul was imprisoned there again, he wrote to Timothy and asked him to bring Mark, explaining: “He is useful to me for ministering.” (2 Timothy 4:11) Indeed, what grand privileges of service Mark enjoyed because he did not give up!