Please use your browsers back button to return to the Sermon's page

John Mark

Mark, for whom the gospel is named, was a close companion of the apostle Peter.  In the Bible we discover that Mark’s full name is John Mark.  His home was a meeting place for the first disciples of Jesus.  Peter went there directly after his first release from prison.  Along with his cousin, Barnabas, Mark accompanied the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey.  However, Mark quit in the middle of the journey with Paul and went home.  Maybe because of his young age, he did not have the courage to continue with the trip.  Because of Mark’s indecisiveness, Paul refused to allow Mark to travel with him on his second missionary trip.  Barnabas took Mark with him and Paul took Silas, splitting the missionary team.  Mark dropped out of sight for years.  Eventually, Mark’s earlier uncertainty gave way to great maturity and in time he proved himself to the apostle Paul.  For, near the end of his life, Paul writes these words about Mark, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry” (II Timothy 4:11).

John Mark’s restoration to ministry may have been due to the ministry of Peter.  Peter’s close relationship with Mark is evident from his description of him as “Mark, my son (I Peter 5:13).  Peter, of course, was no stranger to failure himself, denying the Lord three times.  His influence on young Mark was no doubt instrumental in helping him regain confidence and strength for the work called him to do--to write the gospel of Mark.

Mark was the first of the four gospels that was written.  Many believe that Peter is in the background, giving Mark information on the life of Jesus for us to read.   Mark is the secretary and Peter is recalling his life with Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit.