St. Mark The Evangelist

Mark the Evangelist wrote the shortest of the four Gospels. It is also thought to have been the earliest written. Many Scripture scholars think that Mark was the John Mark mentioned in Acts (12:12). John Mark’s mother was prominent in the Church of Jerusalem. St. Peter came to her house after he had miraculously escaped from prison (Acts 12:12-13). John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on St. Paul’s first missionary journey, but turned back at Perga, for unknown reasons. This angered Paul and caused a dispute between him and Barnabas for John Mark was the cousin of Barnabas. Mark is also mentioned by St. Peter as his son (1 Peter 5:13), meaning that he was likely a disciple of the Apostle. Mark’s Gospel is thought to have been based on the preaching of Peter. Papias around 130 or before states the Mark wrote down the teachings of Peter, although not in chronological order. A later tradition states the Mark was the founder of the Church of Alexandria, Egypt. Some sources say that Mark was martyred for the Faith by being dragged through the streets of Alexandria, but it is not known for certain if Mark died a martyr’s death. The date of his death is also uncertain. St. Mark the Evangelist is represented in art by a lion. His feast is April 25.