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John Mark

The young man who quit a mission trip, got a second chance, and became "profitable" to Paul.

New Testament · 1st century · Acts, Colossians, 2 Timothy, Philemon, 1 Peter · Also known as Mark, Marcus

About John Mark

John Mark grew up in Jerusalem; when Peter escaped from prison, he went "to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying." His cousin Barnabas and Paul took him on their first mission, but at Perga "John departing from them returned to Jerusalem." When Barnabas wanted to take him again, Paul refused, "and the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other": "Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus." Years later Paul wrote, "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry," and Peter called him "Marcus my son." Early Christians said he wrote the Gospel of Mark from Peter’s preaching.

Mark has no recorded words, so this guide speaks about him. "John" was his Jewish name and "Mark" (Marcus) his Roman one. The Gospel of Mark doesn’t name its author, but writers from the early second century said Mark wrote it, drawing on Peter. Some think the young man who fled at Jesus’ arrest in Mark 14 was Mark himself.

The story

Where many were gathered together praying

When an angel freed Peter from prison, "he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying." Barnabas and Saul later returned from Jerusalem, "and took with them John, whose surname was Mark."

Acts 12:12, 25

Returned to Jerusalem

On the first mission journey "they had also John to their minister." But when they sailed from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia, "John departing from them returned to Jerusalem." Scripture doesn’t say why.

Acts 13:4-5, 13

The contention was so sharp

Planning a second journey, "Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia." "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."

Acts 15:36-39

Profitable to me for the ministry

Years later Paul sent greetings from "Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas," and from prison wrote to Timothy, "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry." Peter wrote of "Marcus my son."

Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11; 1 Peter 5:13

Key moments

Questions about John Mark

Why did Mark leave Paul and Barnabas?

Acts says only, "John departing from them returned to Jerusalem." People have guessed homesickness, fear of the hard road inland, illness, or unease that Paul was taking the lead from his cousin Barnabas. Scripture doesn’t say. It does show Paul took it seriously: he called it departing "from them from Pamphylia," and "went not with them to the work."

Did Paul forgive Mark?

Yes. Paul and Barnabas once split over him, but years later Paul sent greetings from "Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas," telling the Colossians "if he come unto you, receive him," and near the end of his life wrote, "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry." Barnabas’ second chance had paid off, and Paul was big enough to say so.

Did Mark write the Gospel of Mark?

The Gospel doesn’t name its author. But from the early second century, Christian writers said Mark wrote it, recording Peter’s preaching. That fits Peter calling him "Marcus my son." Some also wonder if Mark is the young man in a linen cloth who fled when Jesus was arrested, a detail only his Gospel mentions.

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Read it yourself

Start with Acts 12:12, 25; 13:13; 15:36-39; 2 Timothy 4:11.

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