Colossians 4:10
ESV
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),
NIV
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)
NASB
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);
CSB
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
NLT
Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way.
KJV
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
NKJV
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
What does Colossians 4:10 mean?
Beginning in this verse, Paul mentions several believers who are with him in Rome. Verses 10 through 14 list six specific men, similar to a list given in Philemon 1:24. The first two men noted in this verse are Aristarchus and Mark.Aristarchus is likely the same man mentioned by name in Acts 19:29, 20:4, and 27:2. He had accompanied Paul in the past and traveled with him to Rome. Paul describes him as a "fellow prisoner," though he was unlikely part of Paul's current confinement. He had, however, been a literal prisoner at other times.
Mark is named here as "the cousin of Barnabas." Most scholars agree that this is the same Mark mentioned throughout the New Testament (Acts 12:12; 2 Timothy 4:11; 1 Peter 5:13). This is the same Mark who traveled with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, leaving early to return to Jerusalem. Paul refused to take him on the next trip, with Barnabas leaving with Mark instead to Cyprus. Years later, Mark is mentioned with Paul during his house arrest alongside Luke (Colossians 4:14).
As a close associate of Peter, this Mark is the same one credited with writing the Gospel of Mark. Mark and Luke may well have developed their written accounts during the time Paul was writing this letter, which would explain their many similarities.
