Salamis, on the eastern coast of Cyprus, was the chief city of the island. It was the seat of the government for the eastern half of the island, although the capital was Paphos on the southwestern part of the island. The city had a rather large Jewish population, as is indicated by the mention of several Jewish synagogues.

The Jewish synagogues may be rendered as “worship houses of the Jews” or “buildings where the Jews worshiped God.” It is important to try to distinguish clearly between such synagogues and churches.

All commentators agree that John who was with them was John Mark, and for this reason the Good News Translation has identified “John” by John Mark. Exactly what John Mark’s responsibilities were is not made clear in the text. The Greek word translated to help in the work is also used of the function of subordinate officers in the Jewish synagogue (see Luke 4.20), while in the papyri it describes a ministry most usually associated with written documents. On the basis of this latter observation some have concluded that Mark’s responsibility was that of instructing converts in the life and teaching of Jesus. Most translators prefer to speak of John Mark as “their assistant,” though the verb form of the Good News Translation has certain advantages over the noun form. To help in the work may simply be the equivalent of “to help them.” The Greek term is so general in its implications that one should not be too specific.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .