John Mark (Acts 12:12–17; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:1–5; Acts 13:13; Acts 15:36–41; Colossians 4:10–11; Philemon 1:23–24; 2 Timothy 4:9–13; 1 Peter 5:12–13)

Son of Mary of Jerusalem, Attendant to Barnabas and Saul

John whose surname was Mark, whose mother Mary had a house in Jerusalem where many were praying; taken by Barnabas and Saul, their attendant until he departed at Perga, and the cause of a sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas. A Mark is later named as useful to Paul for ministering.

He first appears in Acts through his mother: Peter, freed from prison, “came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying” (Acts 12:12). “Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark” (Acts 12:25).

On the first journey “they had also John as their attendant” (Acts 13:5), but at Perga “John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem” (Acts 13:13). Later Barnabas “was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark” (Acts 15:37); Paul “thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia” (Acts 15:38); and “there arose a sharp contention” (Acts 15:39). Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus.

Letters later name a Mark: “Mark, the cousin of Barnabas” (Colossians 4:10), a fellow-worker (Philemon 1:24), and one “useful to me for ministering” (2 Timothy 4:11). Reading these as the John Mark of Acts is the usual view; so, too, for “Mark my son” (1 Peter 5:13). The Gospel of Mark does not name its author; whether this Mark wrote it is a question Christians answer differently.

Strengths

• Attendance on others
• Usefulness in ministering

Weaknesses

• Departing mid-journey

Themes

• Service and attendance
• A sharp contention
• Barnabas and his circle
• Companions of Paul

The house of Mary, his mother (Acts 12:12–17)

Peter, brought out of prison, comes to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many are praying.

The house of Mary, his mother

“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 and were praying” (Acts 12:12).

The maid Rhoda ran in to tell that Peter stood at the gate; those inside said “Thou art mad” (Acts 12:15). When they opened the gate “they saw him, and were amazed” (Acts 12:16).

Taken with Barnabas and Saul (Acts 12:25)

Barnabas and Saul return from Jerusalem, taking John whose surname was Mark with them.

Their attendant on the first journey (Acts 13:1–5)

Sent out by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul go to Cyprus; they have John as their attendant.

He departs at Perga (Acts 13:13)

Paul and his company come to Perga in Pamphylia; John departs from them and returns to Jerusalem.

A sharp contention (Acts 15:36–41)

Barnabas would take John called Mark; Paul thinks it not good, since he withdrew from Pamphylia; they part, Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus and Paul choosing Silas.

A sharp contention

“And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark. But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work” (Acts 15:37–38).

“And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus; but Paul choose Silas” (Acts 15:39–40). Acts says nothing more of Mark in this passage.

Mark in Paul's letters (Colossians 4:10–11; Philemon 1:23–24)

Letters name Mark as the cousin of Barnabas, with a word to receive him if he comes, and among fellow-workers.

Useful for ministering (2 Timothy 4:9–13)

A letter to Timothy says: Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering.

Useful for ministering

“Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering” (2 Timothy 4:11).

Acts 15:38 tells of a John called Mark whom Paul thought not good to take. Reading the Mark of this letter as the same man is usual; the text does not say it.

Mark in Peter's letter (1 Peter 5:12–13)

At the end of a letter in Peter's name, a Mark is called my son; whether he is John Mark is a reading the text does not settle.

Mary (Acts 12:12)

His mother, whose house in Jerusalem was a place where many were praying.

Barnabas (Acts 12:25; Acts 15:37–39; Colossians 4:10)

Barnabas took him with him; a letter calls Mark the cousin of Barnabas.

Paul (Acts 13:5; Acts 15:38; 2 Timothy 4:11)

Took him with Barnabas as attendant; thought it not good to take him again; a later letter says he is useful for ministering.

Peter (Acts 12:11–12; 1 Peter 5:13)

Came to his mother's house after leaving prison; a letter in Peter's name calls Mark my son.

Silas (Acts 15:39–40)

Chosen by Paul when Barnabas took Mark.

Luke (Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11)

Named with Luke among Paul’s fellow-workers; Paul writes that only Luke is with him and asks that Mark be brought.

Major sections

• Acts 12:12–17
• Acts 13:1–13
• Acts 15:36–41
• Colossians 4:10
• 2 Timothy 4:11

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