Mark the Evangelist
Companion of Paul and Barnabas, then 'interpreter' of Peter at Rome (per Papias). Traditional author of the Gospel of Mark and founder of the church of Alexandria.
Why Mark the Evangelist matters
Mark wrote the first Gospel, and Matthew and Luke both used it as their main source. The whole genre of 'Gospel' — narrative biography of Jesus structured around the cross — is his invention. The early church said he wrote down Peter's preaching in Rome, and the Gospel reads that way: terse, fast, full of small concrete details (the cushion in the boat, the green grass) that someone remembered. Tradition says he founded the church in Alexandria and was martyred there. Pick him up and read it in one sitting; it takes ninety minutes and it's the foundation of three of the four Gospels.
Chain to Jesus
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Common questions
- Who was Mark the Evangelist?
- Mark the Evangelist (5–68) — Companion of Paul and Barnabas, then 'interpreter' of Peter at Rome (per Papias). Traditional author of the Gospel of Mark and founder of the church of Alexandria.
- Who taught Mark the Evangelist?
- Peter.
- Who did Mark the Evangelist meet?
- Paul of Tarsus.
Sources for biography
- 1 Peter 5:13 primary
- Papias in Eusebius HE 3.39.15 primary
- Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 2.16 primary
documented connections(2)
- met (incoming) Paul of TarsusMark accompanied Paul and Barnabas, then split (Acts 13:13; 15:37-39). Later reconciled (Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11).Acts 13:13; 15:37-39 · Colossians 4:10
- knew of (incoming) Papias of HierapolisPapias preserves the earliest tradition about Mark's authorship and method.Papias in Eusebius HE 3.39.15
tradition connections(1)
- taught by PeterPapias (c. 110-130) reports Mark was Peter's interpreter and recorded Peter's preaching as the Gospel of Mark — but Papias' testimony itself survives only via Eusebius. 1 Peter 5:13 mentions 'Mark my son' but does not establish discipleship.Papias in Eusebius HE 3.39.15 · 1 Peter 5:13 · Irenaeus, Adv. Haer. 3.1.1