Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: John Mark, often referred to simply as Mark, is a significant figure in the New Testament, known for his close associations with key apostles and his contribution to the early Christian Church. He is traditionally credited as the author of the Gospel of Mark, one of the four canonical Gospels. Family Background: John Mark was the son of Mary, a prominent woman in the early Jerusalem church. Her home served as a meeting place for believers, as noted in Acts 12:12: "When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying." This indicates that Mark was raised in a devout Jewish-Christian household, which likely influenced his early involvement in the Christian community. Missionary Journeys: John Mark's early missionary work is documented in the Book of Acts. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, as recorded in Acts 13:5: "When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper." However, Mark's departure from the mission in Pamphylia (Acts 13:13) led to a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, resulting in their separation. Barnabas took Mark with him to Cyprus (Acts 15:39), demonstrating Barnabas's continued support and belief in Mark's potential. Reconciliation with Paul: Despite the earlier conflict, Mark later reconciled with Paul. In Colossians 4:10, Paul refers to Mark as a fellow worker: "Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas." This indicates that Mark was not only restored to Paul's favor but also became a trusted companion in ministry. Furthermore, in 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul writes, "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry," underscoring Mark's valued role in Paul's later work. Association with Peter: Mark is also closely associated with the Apostle Peter. In 1 Peter 5:13, Peter refers to Mark as "my son," suggesting a spiritual father-son relationship and indicating that Mark may have been a disciple or interpreter for Peter. This connection is significant, as early church tradition holds that Mark's Gospel is based on Peter's teachings and eyewitness accounts of Jesus' life and ministry. Authorship of the Gospel of Mark: The Gospel of Mark is traditionally attributed to John Mark. It is considered the earliest of the four Gospels and is characterized by its concise and action-oriented narrative. The Gospel emphasizes the deeds of Jesus, portraying Him as the suffering servant and Son of God. Mark's Gospel has been a foundational text for Christian doctrine and has influenced the synoptic Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Legacy: John Mark's legacy is multifaceted. As a missionary, he played a crucial role in the spread of the Gospel in the early church. His reconciliation with Paul highlights themes of forgiveness and restoration within the Christian community. As the author of the Gospel of Mark, he provided a vital account of Jesus' life and ministry, which continues to be a cornerstone of Christian faith and teaching. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia John MarkJOHN MARK See MARK, JOHN. Greek 2491. Ioannes -- John, the name of several Israelites ... Ioannes Phonetic Spelling: (ee-o-an'-nace) Short Definition: John Definition: John: the Baptist, the apostle, a member of the Sanhedrin, or John Mark. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2491.htm - 6k 921. Barnabas -- Barnabas, an Israelite companion of Paul 3137. Maria -- Mary, the name of several Christian women 4498. Rhode -- Rhoda, a servant girl 3138. Markos -- Mark, a Christian 993. Boanerges -- Boanerges, an epithet applied to the two sons of ... Library John Mark Concerning the Monks of Thebais: Apollos, Dorotheus; Concerning ... Foreword The Water-Mark of John's Gospel. Jesus of Nazareth - A Biography Second Missionary Journey First Missionary Journey Scripture Christ Walks Upon the Waters. (John, vi. , 16; Matt. , xiv. , 2 ... Of the Concord Between Matthew, Mark, and John in their Notices of ... Of the Question Whether There is any Contradiction Between Matthew ... Resources What does it mean that believers do not continue to sin (1 John 3:6; 5:18)? | GotQuestions.orgIn what way was John the Baptist the greatest (Matthew 11:11)? | GotQuestions.org Questions about John | GotQuestions.org John: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics John: A Relative of Annas the High Priest John: Affected Probably by the Doctrines of the Stoics John: Herod Antipas Falsely Supposes Jesus to Be John: His Influence Upon the Public Mind John: His Ministry not Attested by Miracles John: Reproves Herod Antipas on Account of his Incest; Herod Imprisons Him, and Beheads Him John: Sends Two Disciples to Jesus John: Teaches his Disciples to Fast John: Teaches his Disciples to Pray John: Testifies to the Messiahship of Jesus John: The Apostle is Intrusted With the Care of Mary, Mother of Jesus John: The Apostle is Present With Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane John: The Apostle: A Pillar of the Ekklesia (Body of Christ) John: The Apostle: Civil Ambitions of John: The Apostle: Imprisoned by the Rulers of the Jews John: The Apostle: Intimately Associated With Jesus John: The Apostle: Intolerance of John: The Apostle: Lives in Jerusalem John: The Apostle: Prepares the Passover Meal John: The Apostle: Present at the Crucifixion John: The Apostle: Present at the Gravesite of Jesus John: The Apostle: Present at the Trial of Jesus Which Took Place in Front of the High Priest John: The Apostle: Present when Jesus Revealed Himself at the Lake Galilee John: The Apostle: Present With Peter in the Temple Courtyard John: The Apostle: Prophecy Concerning John: The Apostle: Sent by the Jerusalem Congregation With the Commission to Samaria John: The Apostle: The Epistles of John John: The Apostle: The healing of Peter's mother-in-law John: The Apostle: The raising of the daughter of Jairus John: The Apostle: The transfiguration John: The Apostle: The two catches of fish John: The Apostle: Writes his Apocalyptic Vision from Patmos Island John: The Baptist: Prophecies Concerning John: The Testimony of Jesus Concerning (See Below, Jesus Discourses Upon) Related Terms |