Mark - About the Author

FIRST, lets ask WHY do we even need to learn about the Author if the Bible is actually inspired by the Holy Spirit?
 
   - Writers of the Bible were inspired to write the truth, but it is still theirs.  The Gospels are a great example of the
       same inspired story being written from four different points of view.  Each author brings a different view of the
       life and death of Jesus to us.  God is so wise that He blessed inspired men to help tell us not only the facts, but
       the whole story.
 
   - Also, we learn about the life of men who, like us, try to live like God wants them to live. 
       Bible Authors were not perfect.  They are examples to us of how to overcome our imperfections.
 
 
   - Mark does not introduce himself in his Gospel, but early Christians and historians all believe him to be the writer
       of the book.  He is still an interesting study for us here.
 
 
So, WHO is MARK? and HOW can we learn from knowing him better?
 
   - His full name, that we know of, is John Mark.  John seems to be a popular name in New Testament times,
       so it seems that this author goes by Mark
 
   - Mark's mother had a home large enough to let the church gather there for prayers.  She was also wealthy enough
       to have servants.  Acts 12:12-13
 
   - Mark's cousin was Barnabas, Colossians 4:10 the man of encouragement that helped Paul transition from being
       a persecutor of the church to being a missionary and the writer of most of the New Testament.
 
 
   - Mark went on a mission trip with Paul & Barnabas.  Acts 12:25  He (Mark, called John in this verse) was called
       their 'helper'.  Acts 13:5
 
   - Later, Mark (called John) left the mission trip to go back home to Jerusalem.  Acts 13:13 
 
   - We do not know for sure why he left, but we see later that Paul did not agree with that action.
 
   - Because Mark had deserted Paul, when he got ready to go on another mission trip with Barnabas, he refused to
       take Mark.  Acts 15:36-41  Barnabas wanted to take Mark, so the two missionaries decided they could not work
       together and went their separate ways.  Barnabas took Mark with him and Paul got a new partner named Silas.
 
   - About 12 years later, we see that Paul's opinion of Mark seems to have changed.  Mark is again working with Paul
       and he sends greeting from Mark to the Colossian Christians Colossians 4:10 and to Philemon. Philemon 1:24
 
   - Five years later, Paul asks Timothy to bring Mark to see him.  Paul tells Timothy, and us, that Mark has gone
       from being a deserter of the work to being helpful in Paul's ministry  2 Timothy 4:11 while others have left Paul.
 
   - Finally, we know that John Mark must have turned out to be a great worker for God.  He was not only a help to Paul,
       but was seen like a son to the Apostle Peter.  1 Peter 5:13
 
   - History shows that Mark was very close to Peter and that he recorded many of Peters actions and words (in the book
       of Mark) that were later used by others in their writings.
 
 
So... WHAT can we learn from MARK?
 
Mark started off as a rich young man that might have been weak in his faith, driving him back home from the good work
that Paul and Barnabas were doing.  Because of the encouragement from his cousin Barnabas, and from his 'father-figure'
Peter, Mark grew to be a helpful worker for the Lord.
 
We should never give up trying to be better at our work for the Lord, no matter how hard it seems or how many times we
make mistakes or even just give up and go home.  There is hope that we, too, can grow to be helpful.
 
We can also learn from Mark's story from those around him.  As we grow in our faith, we need to be encouraging others
to do the same.
 
 
Take a QUIZ about Mark to see how much you have learned.                                        Return to MARK Bible-Man Page



"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." "And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda."
"And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark."
"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."
"Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem."
"And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do." "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." "And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches."


"Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)"
"Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers."
"Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry."


"Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)"


"The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son."



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