Mark
John Mark, the Evangelist
Who was Mark?
- John, who is called Mark. His mother, Mary, opened her house in Jerusalem for prayer. Acts 12:12
- Cousin of Barnabas. He went with Barnabas and Paul, left them partway through the journey, and later returned to serve. Colossians 4:10; Acts 13:13; 2 Timothy 4:11
- According to Tradition, he wrote the Gospel of Mark from what Peter preached. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History III, 39, 15
- Also called
- John Acts 13:5, 13 · John, who is called Mark Acts 12:12
- Occupation
- Assistant to Barnabas and Paul on their journey Acts 13:5
- Feast day
- April 25: Saint Mark, Evangelist
What the Bible says
Acts 12:12
And considering, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and praying.
Colossians 4:10; Acts 13:13; 2 Timothy 4:11
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin german of Barnabus, touching whom you have received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him:
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
The path of Mark
- Before Jesus. He was the son of Mary, a woman of Jerusalem in whose house people gathered to pray. Acts 12:12
- Before Jesus. When an angel led Peter out of prison, Peter went to the house of Mark’s mother. Acts 12:7-12
- With Jesus. Barnabas and Saul took him with them, and Mark was their assistant in Cyprus. Acts 12:25; Acts 13:5
- With Jesus. At Perga he left them and went back to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13
- With Jesus. Paul did not want to take him on the next journey, and Barnabas went off with Mark to Cyprus. Acts 15:37-39
- Afterward. Years later he was with Paul, who names him among his co-workers. Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24
- Afterward. The First Letter of Peter calls him “my son Mark”. 1 Peter 5:13
- Afterward. According to Tradition: According to Papias, Mark was Peter’s interpreter and carefully wrote down what he remembered of his preaching. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History III, 39, 15
Words of Mark
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1
This is how the Gospel that Tradition attributes to Mark begins.
What they were like
- At first he left the mission halfway and went back to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13
- Later he was a co-worker Paul trusted. Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11
The greatest thing they did
- He went with Barnabas and Paul on their first journey, as far as Cyprus. Acts 13:4-5
- He was with Paul while Paul was in prison, and he was a comfort to him. Colossians 4:10-11
Not to be confused with
- John the Apostle: John the apostle was the son of Zebedee and one of the Twelve. John Mark was the son of a woman named Mary in Jerusalem, and a cousin of Barnabas. Matthew 4:21; Acts 12:12; Colossians 4:10
In the Church today
Feast day: April 25, Saint Mark, Evangelist (feast). General Roman Calendar
In art, recognized by: A lion From Ap 4, 7; this is how Christian art has shown him since Saint Jerome (Commentary on Matthew, prologue)
What people ask
Are John Mark and Mark the evangelist the same person?
Tradition identifies them. A NAB note says that the “Mark” in Peter’s letter is perhaps John Mark. 1 Peter 5:13; NAB note on 1 Pe 5, 13; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Gospel of Mark”
Why didn’t Paul want to take Mark along?
Because Mark had left them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them in the work. Acts 15:38
Did Paul and Mark make peace?
The Bible does not tell of a reconciliation. But years later Mark was with Paul. The Second Letter to Timothy asks that he be brought along, because he is helpful in the ministry. Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11
Did Mark know Jesus?
The Bible does not say. Papias, quoted by Eusebius, says that Mark had not heard the Lord or followed him, but later followed Peter. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History III, 39, 15
His stumble At Perga he left Paul and Barnabas and went back to Jerusalem. Acts 13:13 That is why Paul did not want to take him later, and that argument…
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