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John Mark — the evangelist

John, also called Mark, of Jerusalem — cousin of Barnabas. He set out on the first journey but turned back, causing the later rift between Paul and Barnabas; the two were reconciled in the end. Tradition credits him with the second Gospel, drawn from Peter's preaching.

Role: Evangelist · companion

Also known as: Mark

Lived: 1st century AD

Belonged to: Evangelists

Born: Jerusalem

Death: Traditionally martyred at Alexandria

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 2 Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1 Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1

Origin & birthplace

BibleFrom Jerusalem.

Mark

↳ Jerusalem

Family & lineage

BibleSon of Mary.

Mark

↳ Mary (Act 12:12)

Life, role & deeds

Desconocido — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) Ancient writersPapias, about AD 110, reports that 'Mark, having become Peter's interpreter, wrote down accurately all that he remembered of the things said and done by the Lord' — the traditional origin of the Gospel of Mark.

Papias of Hierapolis, Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord (c. AD 110, now lost), quoted in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.39.15 (Papias, fragment 3); Greek text and trans. in M. W. Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007)

↳ Simon Peter

Death & legacy

ScholarlyLater tradition makes Mark the founder and first bishop of the church at Alexandria, but the claim appears only from the 4th century and cannot be verified.

Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 2.16; a late tradition

↳ Alexandria

Where in scripture

Mark Acts Colossians 2 Timothy Philemon 1 Peter

Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Acts 12:12

Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John who was called Mark.
Acts 12:25

When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. They had also John as their attendant.
Acts 13:5

Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
Acts 13:13 — Turns back at Perga

Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.
Acts 15:37

Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,
Acts 15:39

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to you, receive him”),
Colossians 4:10

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.

Mark Acts 12:12 Acts 12:25 Acts 13:5 Acts 13:13 Acts 15:37 Acts 15:39 Colossians 4:10 2 Timothy 4:11 Philemon 1:24 1 Peter 5:13