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You are here: Home / Passages / Mark / Who was Mark?

Who was Mark?

December 10, 2020 By Krisan Marotta

Who was Mark? | WednesdayintheWord.com

Who is the Mark who wrote one of the four gospels?

  • Mark (aka, John or John Mark; Acts 12:12; Acts 12:25; Acts 15:37), was a companion of both Paul and Peter, and a cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10).
  • John was his Hebrew name. Mark was his Greek name.
  • Some of the church fathers include Mark as one of the 70 sent out by Jesus.
  • He is referred to as the son of Mary (Acts 12:12) so his father likely died young.
  • Mark’s mother, Mary, had a large house that was used as a meeting place for the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12) and became the stage for the early disciples of Jesus.
  • Barnabas & Paul took Mark with them when they returned from the Jerusalem conference (Acts 12:25).
  • Mark accompanied Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey but Mark turned back in Perga and returned to Jerusalem (Act 13:13).
  • When Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them on their 2nd journey, Paul refused. The disagreement led to a split between Barnabas and Paul. Barnabas took Mark and traveled to Cyprus. Paul took Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:36-41).
  • Eventually Paul and Mark worked out their differences as Mark was with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment (Col 4:10). Near the end of Paul’s life, Paul wrote that Mark was useful to him in ministry (2 Tim 4:11).
  • After Paul’s martyrdom, Mark became Peter’s companion, and wrote his gospel based on Peter’s teachings and experiences.
  • Most scholars think the young man in Mark 14:15-52 is Mark.
  • According to tradition, Mark became the founder and bishop of the church in Alexandria, North Africa.
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Mark in Scripture

Acts 12:12:  When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

Acts 12:25:  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Acts 13:5:  When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.

Acts13:13:  Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,

Acts 15:37:  Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.

Acts 15:39:  And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

Col 4:10:  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),

2Tim 4:11:  Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.

Phm 1:24:  and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

1Pet 5:13:  She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.

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Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

  • Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Mark
  • Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Mark
  • Fausset Bible Dictionary: Mark, John
  • Holman Bible Dictionary: Mark, John
  • Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Mark (John)
  • Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Mark
  • Morrish Bible Dictionary: Mark, Marcus
  • International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Mark, John
  • McClintock and Strong: Mark
  • The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Mark, John
  • The Jewish Encyclopedia:
  • John means “the grace or mercy of the Lord” – Hitchcock’s Bible Names
  • Mark (Marcus) means “polite, shining” – Hitchcock’s Bible Names

More: Gospel of Mark Resources

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Photo by Raul Popadineți on Unsplash

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Related posts:

  1. 01 Introduction to the Gospel of Mark
  2. 16 Why do you bother her? Mark 14:1-11
  3. Gospel of Mark Resources
  4. 14 What do you want me to do for you? Mark 10:32-45
  5. 18 Why have you forsaken me? Mark 15:22-41

Filed Under: Mark, What is\Who is Tagged With: Mark, who

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