Bible Characters
Who Was Mark in the Bible? John Mark, Missionary and Gospel Writer
Mark, also called John Mark, was an early Christian from Jerusalem whose mother's house was a meeting place for believers (Acts 12:12). He traveled with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, left partway, and later became a trusted helper to both Paul and Peter (Acts 13:13; 2 Timothy 4:11; 1 Peter 5:13). Early church tradition identifies him as the author of the Gospel of Mark.
The New Testament mentions him ten times across Acts and four letters. He was the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10).
Mark at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | John (Hebrew name) Mark (Latin name, Marcus); called by either or both (Acts 12:12; 13:5; 15:39) |
| Testament | New Testament |
| Key books | Acts, Colossians, Philemon, 2 Timothy, 1 Peter; the Gospel of Mark (by tradition) |
| Time period | About AD 40s-60s (traditional dating) |
| Family | Mother Mary of Jerusalem; cousin Barnabas |
| Known for | Leaving the first missionary journey, later restoration, writing the second Gospel |
Mark's Family and Home in Jerusalem
Mark first appears when Peter escaped from prison. An angel led Peter out, and he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying (Acts 12:12). A servant girl named Rhoda answered the door and was so excited to hear Peter's voice that she ran back without opening it (Acts 12:13-14).
The house was large enough for a group to gather, and it had a servant. This indicates the family had some means. Paul later identified Mark as the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus who had sold a field and given the money to the apostles (Acts 4:36-37).
The First Missionary Journey
Barnabas and Saul (Paul) brought famine relief to Jerusalem and then returned to Antioch, taking John Mark with them (Acts 11:29-30; 12:25). When the church in Antioch sent Barnabas and Saul out, John went along as their helper (Acts 13:2-5).
They traveled to Cyprus and preached in the synagogues of Salamis and then across the island to Paphos (Acts 13:4-6). From Paphos they sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, on the southern coast of modern Turkey. There John left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Acts does not say why he left.
The Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
Some time after the Jerusalem Council, Paul proposed returning to visit the churches from their first trip (Acts 15:36). Barnabas wanted to take John Mark. Paul did not think it wise, because Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work (Acts 15:37-38).
They had such a sharp disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, and Paul chose Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:39-41). Acts does not record Barnabas again after this point. For Paul's side of the story, see our profile of Paul in the Bible.
Mark's Restoration with Paul
Later letters show that the relationship between Paul and Mark was repaired. While Paul was in prison, Mark was with him and sent greetings.
- In Colossians, Paul passes on greetings from Mark and tells the church that if Mark comes to them, they should welcome him (Colossians 4:10).
- Paul lists Mark among the Jewish believers who had worked with him for the kingdom of God and had been a comfort to him (Colossians 4:10-11).
- In Philemon, Paul names Mark as one of his fellow workers (Philemon 24).
In his last letter, written near the end of his life, Paul told Timothy that only Luke was with him. He asked Timothy to get Mark and bring him along, because Mark was helpful to him in his ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).
The same man whom Paul had refused to take on a journey was now someone Paul specifically asked for. Luke, named in the same verse, also worked with Mark during Paul's imprisonment (Colossians 4:10, 14; Philemon 24).
Mark and Peter
Peter closes his first letter with greetings from the church in Babylon and from my son Mark (1 Peter 5:13). Peter likely meant Mark was a son in the faith, the same way Paul referred to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2). Many interpreters understand Babylon here as a reference to Rome.
The connection between Mark and Peter goes back at least to Acts 12, when Peter went straight to Mark's mother's house after his escape (Acts 12:12). For more on the apostle, see our profile of Peter in the Bible.
Did Mark Write the Gospel of Mark?
The Gospel of Mark does not name its author. The attribution to Mark comes from early church tradition. Papias, a bishop writing in the early second century, reported that Mark had been Peter's interpreter and wrote down accurately what he remembered of Peter's teaching about what the Lord said and did. Later writers, including Irenaeus, repeated this connection.
The Gospel fits several features of that tradition. It explains Jewish customs for readers who may not have known them (Mark 7:3-4). It translates Aramaic phrases into Greek (Mark 5:41; 15:34). Peter appears prominently, including his failures, such as his denial of Jesus (Mark 14:66-72).
Conservative scholars generally date the Gospel of Mark to the 50s or 60s AD. It is the shortest of the four Gospels, with 16 chapters, and moves quickly from one event to the next. It centers on Jesus as the Son of God (Mark 1:1) and summarizes his mission this way:
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, NIV)
The Young Man Who Fled
Only Mark records that when Jesus was arrested, a young man wearing nothing but a linen garment was following him. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving the garment behind (Mark 14:51-52). Some have suggested this young man was Mark himself, because the detail appears in no other Gospel. The text does not identify him, so this is a suggestion, not a fact from Scripture.
The Ending of Mark
The earliest and most reliable manuscripts of Mark end at Mark 16:8. Most modern translations, including the NIV, include verses 9-20 with a note saying these verses are not in the earliest manuscripts.
Lessons from Mark's Life
- An early failure does not have to be final. Mark left the work in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13) and was later called helpful by the same apostle who had refused him (2 Timothy 4:11).
- Encouragement makes a difference. Barnabas gave his cousin another opportunity (Acts 15:39).
- Relationships can be repaired. Paul later welcomed Mark as a fellow worker and a comfort (Colossians 4:10-11; Philemon 24).
- Serving others is the pattern of Jesus. Mark's Gospel presents Jesus as one who came to serve and give his life (Mark 10:45).
Where Mark Appears in the Bible
- Acts 12:12, 25
- Acts 13:5, 13
- Acts 15:37-39
- Colossians 4:10
- Philemon 24
- 2 Timothy 4:11
- 1 Peter 5:13
- The Gospel of Mark (authorship by early church tradition)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is John Mark the same person as Mark?
Yes. Acts calls him John, also called Mark (Acts 12:12, 25; 15:37). John was a Hebrew name and Mark (Marcus) a Latin one, and the New Testament uses either name for the same man.
Why did Mark leave Paul and Barnabas?
Acts records that John left them at Perga in Pamphylia and returned to Jerusalem, but it does not give a reason (Acts 13:13). Paul later described it as deserting them (Acts 15:38).
Who was Mark related to?
Mark was the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10). His mother was named Mary, and her house in Jerusalem was a gathering place for the church (Acts 12:12).
Was Mark one of the twelve apostles?
No. Mark does not appear in any list of the twelve (Mark 3:16-19; Acts 1:13). He was a later companion of Paul, Barnabas, and Peter.
Did Mark write the Gospel of Mark?
The Gospel does not name its author. Early church tradition, beginning with Papias in the second century, attributes it to Mark and says he recorded Peter's teaching.