Gospel writer; companion of Paul, Barnabas, and Peter
c. AD 30-65 · New Testament
The young man whose mother's house hosted the early Jerusalem church, who deserted Paul on the first missionary journey but was later restored — and who wrote the second Gospel based on Peter's preaching.
John Mark first appears in Acts 12:12 — when Peter was miraculously released from prison, he went to 'the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark.' Mark was the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). Mark joined Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:5) but turned back at Perga in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). This caused a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:37-39). Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus; Paul took Silas. Mark was later restored to Paul's ministry — Colossians 4:10-11; 2 Timothy 4:11 — 'Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.' Mark was closely associated with Peter — 1 Peter 5:13 — 'Marcus my son.' Early church tradition holds Mark wrote his Gospel based on Peter's preaching in Rome. The Gospel of Mark is the shortest and most action-driven, using 'immediately' over 40 times. Tradition holds Mark died in Alexandria, Egypt.
Peter goes there after his release
With Paul and Barnabas
Returns to Jerusalem
Mark goes with Barnabas to Cyprus
"Profitable for the ministry"
"Marcus my son"
Mark's significance: (1) He wrote the second (and likely earliest) Gospel, preserving Peter's eyewitness testimony. (2) His story models restoration — failure on the first journey, faithfulness later. (3) His Gospel is the central source for Synoptic Gospel studies. (4) He bridges the Petrine and Pauline circles of the early church.
John Mark was a Jewish Christian from Jerusalem whose mother's house hosted the early church (Acts 12:12). He was the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). He joined Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey but turned back early. He was later reconciled with Paul and closely associated with Peter. Traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Mark.
Yes, according to consistent early Christian tradition. Papias (c. AD 130) testified that Mark wrote his Gospel based on Peter's preaching. Most scholars also date it as the earliest of the four Gospels.
Acts 15:37-39 — when planning the second missionary journey, Paul refused to take Mark because Mark had departed from them in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13). The contention was 'sharp.' Years later, they were reconciled — 2 Timothy 4:11.
Mark is the shortest Gospel and the most action-driven. It uses 'immediately' (Greek euthys) over 40 times. It emphasizes Jesus' deeds and miracles. It is generally considered the earliest written Gospel and a source for Matthew and Luke.