What Do We Know about John Mark in the Bible?
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John Mark, often referred to as just Mark, is the author of the book of Mark and a recurring character in the Acts of the Apostles. This early believer was the cousin of Barnabas, a traveling companion of the apostle Paul, and a frequent associate of Simon Peter, one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Though he is often associated with more prominent leaders of the early church, John Mark’s ultimate legacy is his written account of the gospel of Jesus Christ, an essential book in the canon of Scripture.
What Is John Mark Known For?
Most Christians are probably familiar with the name Mark, the name attributed to the second book of the New Testament. One of four accounts detailing the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the gospel according to Mark is believed to have been the oldest of the four gospels. It also happens to be the shortest in length.
Church historians believe the gospel of Mark was penned by a man named John Mark, Mark being the surname of his common Hebrew name John. Given the number of Johns present in the New Testament, not to mention the first century and early church, it makes sense why many would choose to refer to John Mark by his Latin surname Mark, or Markus, to distinguish him from others of the same name.
Although Mark’s gospel is the second book of the New Testament, John Mark is first mentioned as a character in the fifth book of the New Testament, the book of Acts, which chronicles the acts of the apostles following the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His ascension into heaven.
Here, John Mark is first listed in association with his mother, a wealthy woman living in Jerusalem named Mary, who had opened her home to the apostles (see Acts 12:12).
In fact, many believers had gathered for prayer at the house of Mary and John Mark after James, the son of Zebedee and an original disciple of Jesus, had been put to death by Herod Agrippa I with Simon Peter being arrested and imprisoned shortly after (see Acts 12:1-19).
The author of Acts records, however, that Peter would eventually be delivered from prison by the direct intervention of God’s angels. Shortly after, he would make his way to the house of Mary and John Mark, where other believers had gathered.
It is not a stretch to conclude, therefore, that a young John Mark would have already been a believer in Jesus Christ at this time.
Peter would leave Jerusalem following his escape from prison and would continue his ministry throughout the region (Acts 12:17). John Mark, however, would be referenced again in Acts 12 when Barnabas, his cousin (see Colossians 4:10), returned from Antioch on his famine-relief mission with his companion, a surprising new convert named Saul, also known as Paul (see Acts 11:19-30).
Having completed their mission to Antioch, Paul and Barnabas committed to preach the gospel throughout the cities of Asia Minor, their first missionary journey (see Acts 13-14), and decided to take John Mark with them (Acts 12:25).
Along the way, Mark served as Paul’s “ministry assistant” (see Acts 13:5), providing administrative support to Paul and Barnabas, making arrangements for food, travel, and lodging. He may have even done some teaching along the way. However, as a young minister, Mark was ideally situated to be mentored by Paul and Barnabas, learning from the example of more mature believers while imitating their faith, inasmuch as they imitated Christ (see 1 Corinthians 11:1).
What Happened Between John Mark and Paul?
At the conclusion of their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas returned to Jerusalem and participated in the Council of Jerusalem, also attended by Simon Peter, James, the half-brother of Jesus, and other respected leaders of the early church (Acts 15:1-35). At the conclusion of the Council of Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch. There, Paul informed Barnabas that he wished to revisit the churches they had ministered to on their first journey to see how they were faring.
As before, Barnabas wanted to take his cousin John Mark with them. Paul’s opinion of Mark, however, had changed. According to the book of Acts, “Paul did not think it wise to take him (John Mark), because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.” (Acts 15:38)
We don’t know the reason Mark had abandoned Paul and Barnabas on their previous journey. The Bible does not tell us. This act, however, apparently did not sit well with Paul, who remained in “sharp disagreement” with Barnabas over the inclusion of John Mark on future missions.
Unable to come to an agreement, Paul and Barnabas decided to go their separate ways.
Barnabas would take John Mark and sail to Cyprus; Paul would choose Silas, who traveled with him to encourage and strengthen the churches throughout Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:39-40).
It is believed this split occurred around A.D. 49-50.
John Mark would not be mentioned again in Scripture until roughly ten years later.
What Happened to John Mark in the Bible?
In his letter to the Colossians, one of four letters written from prison, the apostle Paul called on the believers in Colossae to welcome John Mark, who he regarded as a “fellow worker” and “encouragement” in his ministry (Colossians 4:10-11; see also Philemon 1:24). Towards the end of his life, Paul would also ask his “spiritual son” Timothy to bring John Mark with him to Rome, “for he is helpful to me in my ministry,” Paul would write (2 Timothy 4:11).
It is clear, therefore, that whatever differences or disagreements they may have had, Paul and Mark had reconciled and mended their relationship in the decade that followed. However, since we don’t know the motivation behind John Mark leaving Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia in the first place, we cannot conclude that Paul held any ill will towards John Mark. The author of Acts does not weigh in or encourage readers to pick sides. He just describes the event as it happened.
It is entirely possible that Paul felt John Mark lacked the experience, maturity, or resilience to accompany them on future missions. The rigors and trials of ministry may have also proven too much for the young believer to handle at that time. We don’t know.
In any case, by the time Paul wrote to Timothy and the Colossians regarding John Mark, Mark had matured into a full-fledged minister of the gospel and was no longer seen as just an assistant of the apostles.
While in Rome, the apostle Peter would also speak favorably about John Mark, referring to him as “my son” in the faith (1 Peter 5:13).
In John Mark, therefore, we find a minister of the gospel who had grown and matured in faith under the leadership of both Paul and Peter, two pillars of the early church. By the end of their lives, both apostles regarded John Mark as a friend and fellow worker in Christ.
But what happened to John Mark after the events described in Acts?
Historians such as Papias (A.D. 60-130) and Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 150-215) record that John Mark would serve as Peter’s interpreter in Rome and go on to found a thriving church in the city of Alexandria in Egypt. There, Eusebius (A.D. 325) writes that John Mark would eventually be martyred for his faith, being dragged by his feet through the city for two days before dying and having his body burned.
Additional information regarding John Mark’s life and ministry beyond what is recorded in the New Testament is dependent on church tradition.
What Is Unique about Mark’s Gospel?
Almost all references to John Mark in the New Testament associate him with other prominent spiritual leaders such as Barnabas, Paul, or Simon Peter. In fact, his relationship with the latter may have inspired his most significant contribution to the church and the future of Christianity.
It is widely accepted that John Mark was the one who penned the first account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, relying on Peter as his primary source of information when writing his gospel.
Was John Mark a direct eyewitness to any of the events described in his gospel? We don’t know.
Some have speculated that John Mark could have been the unnamed “certain young man” who had attempted to follow Jesus and the mob on the night the Lord was arrested before His crucifixion (see Mark 15:51-52). This same “young man” ultimately fled into the night and was never referenced again.
Could this have been John Mark, the author of the book of Mark? Again, we do not know. In any case, it seemed Mark relied heavily on Peter’s testimony when writing his gospel, suggesting he was not present for the events related to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as provided in the gospels.
We also do not know when exactly Mark wrote his gospel. Historians are divided, placing the completion of Mark’s gospel sometime between the mid-50s A.D. and 68 A.D.
There is also some disagreement as to whether or not the gospel according to Mark was written before or after Peter’s death in 64 A.D.
It is widely accepted that Mark’s gospel was written before the other Synoptic Gospels, Matthew and Luke, who used Mark as a source for their respective books. Since Luke’s gospel was believed to have been written before 64 A.D., it is probable that Mark wrote his gospel sometime in the mid-50s A.D.
If true, John Mark’s falling out with the apostle Paul may have led to his eventual collaboration with Simon Peter, whom he relied on for eyewitness testimony and details regarding the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Over the years, some have even noted Peter’s style and manner of expression throughout the gospel of Mark, which is fitting given the apostle’s influence over Mark’s writing.
In any case, Mark’s ultimate legacy is his writing.
Writing primarily to a Roman audience, Mark’s gospel is considered a gospel of action. In fact, the word “immediately” is used 42 times in the book of Mark, supporting Mark’s portrayal of Jesus Christ as a man of action and servant who was always in motion, preaching, healing, and ultimately dying for the sins of the world.
Unlike other gospels, Mark’s gospel also spends more time describing the events of Jesus’ life, especially His miracles, which would have been of more interest to his Gentile audience than any genealogy or teaching that connected Jesus to Old Testament, Jewish prophecy. Furthermore, over 40 percent of Mark’s gospel is devoted to the final week of Jesus’ life, culminating with His death and resurrection.
In the end, John Mark proved to be a faithful servant, minister, and imitator of Jesus Christ throughout his life, growing in faith and learning from the example of other great leaders of the church while always pointing others to the person of Jesus Christ.
Today, the world is blessed by Mark’s account of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and like all true servants, John Mark’s true legacy is Jesus Christ and a life well-lived in service of His kingdom and His glory.
Additional Resources:
What Do We Know about Mark in the Bible?
Who was Saint Mark the Apostle? What Led to His Gospel in the Bible?
5 Surprising Facts About the Apostle Mark
What Do We Know about the Gospel Writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
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