Who Was Mark, the Evangelist?

Bibliaon Team

Created and reviewed by our editors

Mark was a follower of Jesus and the author of the Gospel of Mark, one of the four gospels in the Bible. He was an assistant to the apostles Peter and Paul, and he recounted the life, miracles, and teachings of Jesus. His story appears in Acts and in the letters of the New Testament. Mark’s life is a great example of faith and dedication to the gospel.

Mark the Evangelist, also known as John Mark, was a significant figure in the New Testament. His name appears mainly in the book of Acts of the Apostles and in some of Paul’s letters. He was Jewish, the nephew of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), and part of the first generation of Christians. His mother, Mary, owned a house in Jerusalem where Christians gathered to pray, indicating that Mark grew up in an environment of faith.

Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on a missionary journey, but he ended up returning home before it was completed, which caused a disagreement between the two apostles. Later, however, Paul restored his trust in Mark and called him useful for ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).

Mark also had a close relationship with the apostle Peter. This is confirmed in 1 Peter 5:13, where the apostle calls Mark “son.” Historians affirm that Mark wrote his gospel based on Peter’s accounts and teachings, making it the first of the four gospels to be written. The Gospel of Mark is direct and practical, portraying Jesus as servant and Savior, and emphasizing His miracles and actions.

An illustrative representation of Mark (the Evangelist)

Mark’s mission was to record the life of Jesus clearly for non-Jews, known as Gentiles, showing that the kingdom of God is for everyone. His writing uses simple, straightforward language that is easy to understand.

Mark’s legacy is found in his Gospel, which serves as an essential guide to who Jesus is. His life teaches us about repentance, reconciliation, and how God can use even those who have faltered for great purposes. It shows us that serving with humility and faithfulness is part of the Christian calling.

Key Events in the Life of Mark

Son of Mary, a follower of Jesus: Mark first appears in Acts 12:12 as the son of Mary, who owned a house in Jerusalem where Christians gathered to pray.
Accompanied Paul and Barnabas on missions: In Acts 12:25 and 13:5, John Mark accompanies Paul and Barnabas as an assistant on a missionary journey.
Abandoned the mission and returned home: In Acts 13:13, Mark leaves the mission midway and returns to Jerusalem, which later caused a conflict with Paul.
Cause of divergence between Paul and Barnabas: In Acts 15:37-39, Barnabas wants to take Mark again, but Paul disagrees. They part ways, with Barnabas continuing to Cyprus with Mark.
Reconciliation with Paul: Years later, in 2 Timothy 4:11, Paul says that Mark is useful for ministry, showing that forgiveness and restoration occurred.
Relationship with Peter: In 1 Peter 5:13, the apostle Peter calls Mark “my son,” indicating a strong personal and spiritual bond between them.
Author of the Gospel of Mark: Although the Bible does not explicitly state it, Christian tradition recognizes John Mark as the author of the Gospel of Mark, written based on the testimony of the apostle Peter.

Read the The Calling of the Apostles.

Bible Study on Mark, the Evangelist

Did Mark know Jesus personally?

The Bible does not explicitly say that Mark knew Jesus personally, but there are indications that this may have been possible. He was young during Jesus’ time and lived in Jerusalem with his mother, Mary, whose house served as a gathering place for early Christians. After Peter was released from prison, he went to her house (Acts 12:12). It is possible that Mark had contact with Jesus, especially since he was close to the early Christian community from the beginning.

Some scholars believe that Mark might have been the young man mentioned anonymously in Mark 14:51-52, who fled naked during Jesus’ arrest, a detail that could suggest the author was present and wanted to discreetly recount his own experience.

Nevertheless, there is no explicit confirmation that Mark personally knew Jesus. What is certain is that he was a close disciple of Peter and wrote his Gospel, the first chronologically based on Peter’s memories and teachings.

What was Mark’s profession?

The Bible does not mention Mark’s profession. However, we know that he was an active follower of Jesus and of the early Church leaders, such as Peter and Paul. He was the son of Mary, a Christian woman who offered her house in Jerusalem as a meeting place, which may indicate that his family was relatively well-off.

Although no specific profession is recorded, Mark stood out as a missionary and the writer of the Gospel of Mark. His main occupation recorded in Scripture was serving and supporting the ministry of the apostles.

How did Mark die?

The Bible does not describe how Mark died; his death is not mentioned in any biblical book. However, according to early Church tradition, Mark is believed to have died as a martyr in the city of Alexandria, Egypt, where he served as a Christian leader and evangelist.

According to tradition, he was dragged through the streets with ropes tied to his body until he died, because of his faith in Jesus and for preaching the gospel. While this information is not in Scripture, it is widely accepted by scholars and historical Church records.

Even though the Bible does not provide details of his death, tradition indicates that Mark died faithful to his mission, giving his life for Christ.

What does Mark’s life teach us?

Mark’s life teaches us that God uses ordinary people, with flaws and insecurities, to accomplish great purposes. Mark began his Christian journey surrounded by leaders like Paul, Barnabas, and Peter.

Even while doing God’s will, Mark made mistakes, such as leaving a missionary journey (Acts 13:13). This caused a conflict between Paul and Barnabas. Yet John Mark was not discarded. Over time, he matured, reconciled with Paul (2 Timothy 4:11), and became an important collaborator in ministry.

His closeness to Peter was essential. He wrote the Gospel of Mark based on Peter’s preaching. This shows us how God can transform failures into powerful testimonies.

Mark also inspires us to serve with humility, to be willing to learn from experienced mentors, and to persevere even after setbacks. He became an example of restoration, spiritual growth, and faithfulness to the mission of proclaiming the gospel.

Lessons we can learn from Mark’s life:

God uses imperfect people to fulfill His Word
Everyone deserves a second chance, and in Christ, we can start anew
Failure does not define the future
Humility opens doors for growth
Serving God faithfully leaves an eternal legacy