Mark Introduction

Mark - called John Mark and Marcus, was a Jerusalem Jew whose mother, Mary, owned property in the city and sheltered many Christians in time of need. Mark was also a relative of Barnabas. He went with Barnabas and Paul on their first Missionary Journey but for some reason returned without completing the journey and earned the dislike of Paul. Later Paul and Mark became great friends as Mark earned for himself the honor of becoming an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

Peter refered to Mark as "my son" probably because he was instrumental in leading Mark to Christ.

Mark, being well educated, acted as interpreter and attendant to both Paul and Peter and was a constant companion of Peter during his ministry to the Gentiles. Mark is believed to have been the founder of the Christian Church at Alexandria, where he is believed to have died and was buried. Mark's remains is said to have been removed from Alexandria in 832 AD and to have been buried beneath the alter of St. Marks Cathedral in Venice.

The Lion is the symbol of this Evangelist, who, once weak and unstable, was by God's grace made strong.

Mark's Gospel, believed to have been the first written, is the shortest and simplest. Historically, it is the most important for it is the basis of Matthew and Luke and underlies much of John. It was written after the death of Peter and Paul which is believed to have occured about 64 or 65 AD. It was used by Matthew and Luke to aid them in their work sometime before the end of the century. The fall of Jerusalem is not mentioned and this occured about the year 70 AD so we can say it was written sometime between 65 and 70 AD.

It was written primarily for the Greek Christian in the popular spoken Greek of that day. His references, which are few, to the Old Testament are from the Greek translation.

It is interesting to note a portion of an old church history (Eusebius) which says, "Mark, having become the interpreter for Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever things he remembered Peter saying concerning the sayings and deeds of Jesus, for he neither heard nor followed the Lord, but afterwards, as I said, followed Peter."

Mark lends to these remembrances and to other sources his own crisp and vigorous style and a sense of the dramatic. The original manuscript is believed to have ended with the 8th. verse of chapter 16 with the remaining 22 verses being added at a later date.

Note Mark's purpose in writing this Gospel:

  1. It was written for those who already believed in Christ.
  2. It was designed to give unity and meaning to their lives.
  3. He selected information that he believed gave practical religious value for the reader.
  4. He stressed the origin and significance of the chief Christian rites, i.e. baptism, communion, crucifixion.
  5. He portrayed Christ by His deeds more than by His words.
  6. He emphasized the human as well as the devine side of Christ.


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