Evangelist Mark (John Mark)
Acts and the Epistles name John Mark within the Jerusalem and missionary networks. The Church receives Mark as the Evangelist associated especially with Peter's apostolic preaching.
Tradition note
The Church's received tradition identifies John Mark with the author of the Gospel according to Mark and associates his Gospel with Peter's witness.
Scripture
- Acts 12:12, 25 — Believers gather at the house of Mary, Mark's mother; Mark later travels with Barnabas and Saul.
- Acts 13:5, 13 — John assists the mission and then returns to Jerusalem.
- Acts 15:36-39 — Paul and Barnabas disagree over taking Mark; Barnabas takes him to Cyprus.
- Colossians 4:10 — Mark is identified as Barnabas's cousin and commended to the church.
- 2 Timothy 4:11 — Paul asks for Mark because he is useful in ministry.
- 1 Peter 5:13 — Peter refers to Mark as his son.
Primary sources
Eusebius preserves Papias's report:
Papias, as quoted by Eusebius, reports that Mark wrote accurately as Peter's interpreter; this is reception evidence and does not identify John Mark within the Gospel itself.
Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not in order
Passage context and translation
The reported presbyter goes on to say Mark did not personally follow Jesus and that Peter's teaching was adapted to hearers. The fragment is a later witness about Gospel origins, not the Gospel's own authorship statement.
Before the excerpt
This also the presbyter said
After the excerpt
whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ