Bible Strands
2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses Timothy from a location of isolation following the departure of Demas, Crescens, and Titus, issuing a direct instruction to secure Mark’s presence for continued ministry.
The words — μόνος (monos) translates literally as “alone,” while ἀναλαβὼν (analabōn) means “having taken,” highlighting the deliberate, active retrieval required.
The thread — Mark appears in Acts 12:12 and Acts 12:25 as John Mark accompanying Barnabas and Saul, and reappears in Philemon 1:24 listed among Paul’s fellow workers, tracing his consistent presence in the missionary network.
Why it lands — The text commands Timothy to prioritize tangible ministry support by retrieving a specific collaborator, requiring readers to treat practical cooperation as a non-negotiable component of spiritual work.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
Cross-references
- Acts 12:12 And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.
- Acts 12:25 When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, bringing with them John, also called Mark.
- Philemon 1:24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
- Acts 15:39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
- Colossians 4:10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.
- Colossians 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
- 2 Timothy 1:15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
- 1 Peter 5:13 The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.
- Hosea 14:4 I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them, for My anger has turned away from them.
- Matthew 19:30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.