Early church · from Jerusalem around AD 44 to Paul’s imprisonment around AD 60-67
Mark in the Bible
The coworker who got a second chance. Name meaning: John (“the LORD is gracious”) is his Hebrew name; Mark, of Latin origin, is the surname that eventually came to identify him alone (Acts 12:12; 15:39)
John, whose surname was Mark, is the son of Mary, whose house in Jerusalem serves as a place of prayer (Acts 12:12). He sets out as an assistant to his cousin Barnabas and to Saul, but leaves them at Perga to return to Jerusalem (Acts 13:5, 13). This departure leads to such a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas that they part ways (Acts 15:37-39). Yet Paul will end up writing, “Take Mark… for he is useful to me for the ministry” (2 Tim 4:11).
Key moments
- Peter knocks at the door of his mother’s house Acts 12:12
- Barnabas and Saul take him with them Acts 12:25
- He is their helper at Salamis Acts 13:5
- He leaves them at Perga and returns to Jerusalem Acts 13:13
- Paul and Barnabas part ways because of him Acts 15:39
- Paul asks the Colossians to welcome him Colossians 4:10
- Peter calls him “Marcus my son” 1 Peter 5:13
- Paul: “he is useful to me for the ministry” 2 Timothy 4:11
Strengths
- Servant’s heart
- Perseverance
- Faithfulness regained
- Usefulness in ministry
Weaknesses
On the first journey, John leaves Paul and Barnabas at Perga and returns to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Later, Paul thinks it wrong to take him again, since he “went not with them to the work” (Acts 15:38). The text doesn’t say why he left.
Lessons for today
- Failure is not the end: Mark leaves the work at Perga (Acts 13:13), but Paul will later call him “useful to me for the ministry” (2 Tim 4:11).
- Brothers can disagree without ceasing to serve: Paul and Barnabas part ways, and both teams go out to strengthen the churches (Acts 15:39-41).
- An open home serves the church: Mary’s house gathers those praying for Peter (Acts 12:12).
- An encourager changes a life: Barnabas insists on taking Mark with him again (Acts 15:37, 39).
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
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;
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
People around Mark
- Barnabas — His cousin, who takes him to Cyprus after the split
- Paul — Refuses to take him again, then asks for him as “useful for the ministry”
- Peter — Calls him “Marcus my son”
- Mary — His mother, whose house in Jerusalem serves as a place of prayer
- Silas — The man Paul chose after refusing to take Mark
- Luke — Named with him among Paul’s fellowlabourers
Stories with Mark
Quiz: how well do you know Mark?
What was the name of the mother of John, whose surname was Mark?
Peter went to “the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.” Acts 12:12
How was Mark related to Barnabas?
Paul writes to the Colossians that “Aristarchus… saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas.” Colossians 4:10
Who took Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus after the disagreement with Paul?
“Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus.” Paul, for his part, chose Silas. Acts 15:39–40
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.