The writer of the second book of the New Testament was named John Mark. He did not tell anything about himself, as the only mention is in the title, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Mark.” He was not one of the twelve apostles.
In another book, Acts, his full name is given. There we learn that he lived in Jerusalem and that many people who loved the Lord met at night in his mother’s house to pray. It was a time of great danger for those who believed in Jesus, because the leaders of the temple had killed some of them, and Peter had been put in prison.
But while they were praying, Peter came to the house and told them how an angel had come to the prison and led him out. Mark probably was a young man when he heard the earnest prayers and the words of Peter telling how he had been freed by the angel.
Mark loved the Lord Jesus. Not long after that night, he went with Paul and Barnabas to other lands and was their servant, or helper, while they told people of Jesus as Saviour. After a time Mark went back to Jerusalem, and then he again journeyed with one of the men. Later Paul wrote for him to come to Rome, saying, “He is profitable to me for the ministry.”
Meaning of Ministry
The word “ministry” or “minister” in the Bible did not mean what it does now: It meant service, or serving others. It was not a high place, but a humble one, as Jesus told His disciples, “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
It is not written what Mark did as a servant to Paul or others, but in some way he helped so that the gospel, the good tidings of Jesus, was told to many. Perhaps the greatest work which the servant Mark did for others was writing the gospel of the Lord Jesus, which presents Him as the holy Servant for God. It is the shortest of the Gospels.
Background Reading
Read these verses about Mark:
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode. And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark (Acts 12:12-25).
And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John [Mark] to their minister (Acts 13:5).
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 15:39).
Further Meditation
1. What men wrote of themselves as “servants”? (See Romans 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1; Revelation 1:1).
2. Consider consulting Manners and Customs of the Bible by J. M. Freeman for more on what was expected of servants in the time of John Mark.