The word which Luke has chosen to describe the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas originally meant, “an irritation,” but in this context something much stronger is indicated, that is, a sharp argument (see Jerusalem Bible “violent quarrel”). After the separation, Barnabas, who was originally from Cyprus (4.36), took Mark and sailed off for Cyprus.

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 .