John, Whose Surname was Mark

2023-09-25

John Mark was the author of the second Gospel, who primarily received his research from the apostle Peter. Let us consider this man.

Mark’s mother Mary seems to also be a believer, as at her house people were praying for the deliverance from Peter from prison. “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:12). This suggests also that Peter was close to Mark and his family. “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son” (1 Peter 5:13). We can see how Mark, being close to Peter, would have easy access to a trove of information about the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ to write the Gospel.

Mark also went with Barnabas and Paul on their missionary journey for some of the time. “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark” (Acts 12:25). And again, “And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister” (Acts 13:5).

Eventually, Mark left Barnabas and Paul at Perga and went back home. “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem” (Acts 13:13).

Mark tried to join them again later. “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God” (Acts 15:37-40). Barnabas and Paul split ways over Mark. Paul likely saw Mark as a liability because he left them before on the previous journey. Barnabas was the “son of consolation,” likely wanting to give him another chance. Also, Barnabas and Mark were related, and that might have affected his bias. “Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)” (Colossians 4:10).

However, we see in this last verse that Mark was later accepted by Paul, as it was Paul who wrote this. He later became a faithful and reliable servant who stayed with Paul during his darkest time at the end of his life. Timothy was to bring Mark with him on his way to see Paul. “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).