Who wrote the book of Mark?
John Mark wrote the book of Mark. He was closely linked with the Apostle Barnabas and was his cousin.
If you recall in Scripture John Mark ran away when times in ministry were tough, and this caused a divide between the Apostles Paul and Barnabas.
But in the latter end of The Apostle Paul's ministry he requested that Mark be sent for, because he was "needful".
He was also connected very closely to the Apostle Peter who probably knew him from the time before he allegedly (not conclusively) ran away naked at the time of the arrest and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus.
This illustrates the redemptive power of God for all of us, for we are changed to be more like God as we yield to His Holy Spirit.
Can A Man Be Shirtlesss? Find out
Church Fathers on John Mark
| Church Father | Quotation or Summary | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Papias of Hierapolis (early 2nd century AD) Source: Fragments preserved in Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. 3.39 | “Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately everything that he remembered, without however recording in order what was either said or done by Christ… He took special care not to omit anything he heard, nor to include any false statement.” | The earliest surviving testimony: identifies Mark as Peter’s interpreter and the Gospel of Mark as based on Peter’s preaching. |
| Irenaeus of Lyon (c. 180 AD) Source: Against Heresies III.1.1 | “After their departure [of Peter and Paul], Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, did also hand down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter.” | Asserts apostolic authorship of the four Gospels; affirms the Papian tradition linking Mark to Peter. |
| Clement of Alexandria (late 2nd – early 3rd century AD) Source: Hypotyposeis (fragment in Eusebius Hist. Eccl. 6.14.6–7) | “When Peter had publicly preached the word at Rome, and by the Spirit proclaimed the Gospel, those present, who were many, exhorted Mark, as one who had followed him for a long time and remembered what he had said, to write down what had been spoken; and he composed the Gospel and handed it to those who asked him.” | Describes Mark’s Gospel as a faithful record of Peter’s preaching, written in Rome at the request of Peter’s hearers. |
| Tertullian (c. 200 AD) Source: Against Marcion IV.5 | “That which Mark published may be affirmed to be Peter’s, whose interpreter Mark was.” | Lists the four canonical Gospels and ties Mark’s to Peter’s authority. |
| Origen of Alexandria (c. 230 AD) Source: Commentary on Matthew (I.1, quoted in Eusebius Hist. Eccl. 6.25.5) | “The second [Gospel] is by Mark, who wrote it according to the instructions of Peter, who also acknowledged him as a son in his Epistle.” | Confirms the same Petrine link and authorship sequence among the four Gospels. |
| Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 325 AD) Source: Ecclesiastical History 2.15–16 | Repeats Papias and Clement, adding that Peter approved the reading of Mark’s Gospel in the churches and that Mark founded the church in Alexandria. | Consolidates earlier traditions and connects Mark with both Rome and Alexandria. |
| Jerome (c. 392 AD) Source: De Viris Illustribus 8 | “Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, wrote a short Gospel at the request of the brethren at Rome, relating what he had heard Peter narrate. When Peter heard it, he approved it and gave it to be read in the churches. He also took the Gospel to Egypt and first preached Christ at Alexandria.” | Combines earlier testimonies, presenting the standard Western view: Mark as Peter’s interpreter and founder of the Alexandrian church. |
| Augustine of Hippo (early 5th century AD) Source: De Consensu Evangelistarum I.2.4 | “Mark follows him [Matthew] closely, as it were his attendant and abbreviator.” | Accepts Mark’s Gospel as canonical but views it as a condensed version of Matthew’s; continues traditional authorship line. |
| Theophylact of Ohrid (11th century AD) Source: Prologue to the Gospel of Mark | Repeats that Mark wrote his Gospel in Rome from Peter’s teaching and later preached in Alexandria, where he suffered martyrdom. | Byzantine continuation of the same apostolic tradition. |
Let's look other scriptures on John Mark or John who is called Mark below:
Acts 15:36-41
36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being [n]commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.Bible Verses About Not Giving Up (Powerful)
What Next? Read our Bible Verses About Friendship and Brotherhood
How Tall Was Jesus - Get The Answer
Watch Video For Something Spiritually Empowering For You On Your Walk with God. Click to turn on the sound!
Here's a great quiz from Alive Christians for to try out!
Get More Answers From The Bible
Want More Biblical content? Click below.
