Heath Rogers

John Mark appears in the New Testament only in association with more prominent personalities and events. However, a careful study of his life provides us with important information and needed lessons. Mark was a travel companion of the apostle Paul and was Barnabas’ cousin (Col. 4:10). Peter calls him “my son” (1 Pet. 5:13) which may indicate Peter was responsible for Mark’s conversion.

Mark is introduced in Acts 12:12; “So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.” John was his Jewish name. Mark was his Roman or Latin name. “Here we have our first certain introduction to one who was to play an important part in Christian history over the next thirty years” (F.F. Bruce 251). We know nothing about his father, but his mother’s name was Mary. Her house was large enough to allow many Christians to gather together to pray at a time when Herod was trying to kill church leaders. This tells us that Mary had some wealth, a strong faith, and a hospitable heart.

Mark traveled to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas when they returned from Jerusalem (Acts 12:25) and joined them on their first preaching journey (13:5). However, for an unstated reason, Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem (v. 13). Paul held this against Mark when Barnabas wanted to take him on a second journey. “But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work” (15:38). Barnabas parted from Paul, taking Mark and sailing to Cyprus, while Paul traveled with Silas. In writing the book of Acts, Luke focuses on Paul’s efforts, providing no information about the work done by Barnabas and Mark. These men simply disappear from Luke’s account.

About eleven years later, we learn that Paul has changed his mind about Mark. He is included in the list of men who are working with Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome (Phile. 24). In fact, Paul commends Mark to the Colossians; “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him)” (Col. 4:10).

The greatest complement to Mark is found in Paul’s final letter. In calling Timothy to come to his side in Rome, Paul’s request is, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11). This simple statement brings a happy ending to a troubled thread in the New Testament. There was a time when Paul was not willing to work with Mark because he did not believe he was reliable. However, after time proving himself, Paul finds him useful (dependable and helpful) in doing the Lord’s work.

Mark’s story lets us know that moments of failure don’t have to be the defining moments of our lives. Mark didn’t give up on his service to the Lord. With the help of Barnabas, he was able to establish a proven track record that would later convince his greatest critic. The disappointment of our failures is only compounded when we lose the confidence of our brethren. However, when we repent, we need to put ourselves back into the Lord’s service, striving to please Him as our Master. Faithful service will be rewarded by the Lord, but it will also be noticed by others. Mark’s “redemption” in the eyes of Paul is a message of hope to many Christians who struggled and stumbled in their past.

Mark’s greatest impact on Christianity was being the author of the second gospel. Eusebius (lived in the Third and Fourth Centuries, and wrote extensively of the history of the church) records the agreed statements of Papias, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and others, that Mark was a close associate of the apostle Peter, serving as his interpreter in Rome, and that he wrote his gospel from Peter’s remembrances. Eusebius also writes that Mark later traveled to Egypt, founded the church in Alexandria, and died by martyrdom.