Mark is the surname of John Mark, one of Paul’s travelling companions on his first missionary journey.
It seems that Mark was from a well-to-do Jerusalem family, who had quite possibly been supporters of Jesus from an early stage in his ministry. Mark himself was a young man with a noted gift in languages.
It may well have been that first missionary journey which originally showed Mark the need for a Gospel. Mark accompanied Paul to the island of Cyprus where, possibly for the first time, Mark saw large numbers of people believing in Jesus who had not been eye-witnesses to his ministry.
Mark soon left Paul, in time becoming a valued helper of the apostles. From that unique standpoint, he witnessed the growth of the Christian church. And when he heard about the establishment of a church in Rome - then the capital of the world’s most powerful empire - Mark understood what its members would need. It was for their benefit that he prepared this extraordinary document.
Next part: Celebrity - Day 1 - Mark 1:1-13
From the series: Understanding Mark's Gospel
© 2019 K Simons