Mark the Evangelist
Mark the Evangelist is a significant figure in early Christianity, recognized for his role as a disciple and the author of the Gospel of Mark. Believed to have been of Jewish descent, he is often identified as John Mark and is thought to have been closely associated with Jesus’s disciples, particularly Paul and Peter. Although it's unclear if he met Jesus during his lifetime, he traveled extensively with Paul and Barnabas on missionary journeys. Mark later settled in Rome, where he authored the Gospel that bears his name, which is considered the earliest and shortest of the four New Testament gospels.
His writings focus on the life and teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the message of Christianity. Following his time in Rome, Mark is said to have traveled to Alexandria, where he became the first bishop and played a crucial role in spreading Christianity in Egypt. His dedication ultimately led to martyrdom at the hands of pagan adversaries, and he is venerated as a saint in various Christian traditions, particularly on April 25. Mark's legacy endures, especially in Venice, where he is the patron saint, and his remains are housed in St. Mark's Basilica. The symbol often associated with him is a winged lion, reflecting his status and impact within the Christian faith.
Mark the Evangelist
Saint
- Born: Unknown
- Birthplace: Cyrene, Libya
- Died: c. 68 CE
- Place of death: Alexandria, Egypt
Also known as: John Mark, Saint Mark
Significance: Mark the Evangelist is a Christian saint and one of Jesus Christ's seventy disciples. Religious scholars credit him with writing one of the gospels of the New Testament. It is also believed that Mark was martyred in Alexandria, Egypt, around 68 CE. Today some Christians honor Mark on his saint day, April 25th, every year.
Background
Mark lived during the time of Jesus Christ. Jesus was the founder of Christianity. Christians consider Jesus to be the son of God. They believe he was sent to Earth to atone for humanity's sins. Jesus ministered to people and developed a following over time. Many of his followers believed that Jesus really was the son of God and that he could perform miracles. Jewish authorities viewed his following as a threat to their own religion. After one of Jesus's disciples betrayed and identified him, Jewish leaders turned Jesus over to Roman authorities, and they crucified him on a cross. Christians believe Jesus later rose from the dead and ascended to heaven.
Little is known about Mark's early life. Some religious experts contend that he was likely Jewish and that his full name may have been John Mark, with John being a Hebrew name and Mark being a Roman name. A John Mark and a John are mentioned in the Book of Acts. Scholars believe that these names both refer to Mark the Evangelist, whom Saint Paul and Saint Peter mentioned in their own writings.
Mark's mother, Mary, was an early follower of Jesus. Some experts think that Mary was a wealthy widow who allowed other Christians to gather at her home. Her house may have been the site of the Last Supper. This is the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before he was crucified. It is also where the tradition of the holy Eucharist was born. The faithful consume bread and wine in this custom. Both are blessed before consumption. Christians believe the bread is Jesus's body, and the wine is his blood.
It is not clear that Mark actually knew Jesus while he was alive. Experts disagree about this. However, he was close to several of Jesus's most trusted disciples. Mark himself was not one of Jesus's apostles, but he was one of his seventy disciples. Mark was the cousin of Saint Barnabas. Mark traveled with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Together, the three converted many people to Christianity. At some point, Mark and Paul had a falling out. Yet, the two later seemed to work out their differences. Mark is said to have witnessed Paul blinding Elymas, a sorcerer, in Cyprus. Some scholars suggest that Mark was with Paul when he died.
After working with Barnabas and Paul, Mark traveled to Rome to work with Peter. He became one of Peter's closest confidants. Historians believe that Mark served as Peter's interpreter in many situations, as Peter did not likely speak Greek. Mark stayed by Peter's side while he was imprisoned in Rome, Italy.
Gospel of Mark
While in Rome, Mark began writing his gospel. The word gospel means "good news," but Mark was the only gospel writer to use the word to refer specifically to the message of Christianity. Mark's gospel is thought to be the oldest of the four New Testament gospels, written sometime between 60 and 70 CE. It is also the shortest of all the gospels.
Using information about Jesus's actions and descriptions of people's reactions to him, Mark began to piece together the story of Christ's life. In the gospel, he explains Jesus's important message and describes how disciples can follow his teachings. Mark's gospel is not arranged in a particular order. Some passages can stand on their own.
One of the interesting moments mentioned in his gospel is when Jesus is captured before his crucifixion. Mark describes a young man wearing a cloth following Jesus into Gethsemane. Soldiers tried to capture the youth, but he escaped them. Some scholars suggest that this young man is actually Mark.
Some religious scholars take issue with the ending of Mark's gospel. They argue that it may not be original. However, others believe that the work is presented in its entirety.
Later Work
After writing his gospel, Mark is believed to have traveled to Africa. He founded a school in Alexandria, Egypt, before traveling to the inner parts of the continent to spread the good news about Christianity and covert pagans, or those who believe in more than one god. During his travels, he was inspired to return to Alexandria to convert more people in the city.
At some point, Mark is said to have healed a man's crippled hand and then baptized him. Many other residents of the city also decided to be baptized following this incident. Mark then became the first bishop of Alexandria.
However, some people did not want to see Christianity spread throughout city. As more people converted, members of the pagan population plotted to kill Mark. Mark learned of their plans and ordained some of his followers as leaders of the church to carry on the faith after his death. The pagans captured Mark, beat him, and threw him in jail. Christians believe Jesus appeared to Mark before his death to offer him strength to face what was to come. The pagans later dragged him through the streets and killed him. Mark became a martyr of the Christian faith.
Impact
The Catholic Church later recognized Mark as a saint. Every year on April 25, Christians of certain denominations honor his memory. In the ninth century, his remains were moved from Alexandria to Venice, Italy, and were placed in a cathedral now known as St. Mark's Basilica. Mark is considered the patron saint of Venice. Artists often use a winged lion as a symbol of Saint Mark.
Personal Life
Saint Mark never married or had a family. He devoted his life to spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Bibliography
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Houlden, Leslie. "The Synoptic Evangelists: Mark, Matthew, and Luke." The Student's Companion to the Theologians. Edited by Ian S. Markham, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013, pp. 119–27.
Maloney, Elliott C. "Understanding St. Mark." Our Sunday Visitor, 15 Mar. 2017, www.osv.com/TodaysIssues/Article/TabId/599/ArtMID/13753/ArticleID/21814/Understanding-St-Mark.aspx. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Miller, Don. "Saint Mark." Franciscan Media, www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-mark/. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Smith, D. Moody. "Mark the Evangelist." Encyclopedia of Religion. Vol. 8, 2nd ed., edited by Lindsay Jones. Macmillan Reference USA, 2005, pp. 5714–15.
Thomas, Janet. "Who Are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?" Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jan. 2007, www.lds.org/new-era/2007/01/who-are-matthew-mark-luke-and-john?lang=eng. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.