Faith & Reason Nexus

AUTHOR: John Mark (Acts 15:37)

TIME WRITTEN: Possibly between 58-68 A.D.

POSITION IN THE BIBLE:

• 41st Book in the Bible
• 2nd Book in the New Testament
• HOLY BIBLE
• 2nd of 4 Books of Biography (Matthew – John)

CHAPTERS: 16

VERSES: 578

WORDS: 17,171

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT MARK:

• The writer, John Mark, was associated with a significant house church in Jerusalem, hosted by his mother.
• According to Acts 12:12, Barnabas and John Mark were cousins.
• It is suggested that Peter may have introduced Mark to Christianity, as indicated in 1 Peter 5:13: “Mark, my son.”
• Barnabas and Saul initially took John Mark on their first missionary journey, but Mark returned to Jerusalem from Phrygia in Pamphylia.
• Barnabas’s intention to bring Mark on the second missionary journey led to a disagreement with Paul. Consequently:
• Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus.
• Paul took Silas to Syria and Cilicia.
• Eventually, Paul reconciled with John Mark, as shown when Paul mentions Mark’s presence during his first Roman imprisonment and later requests Mark’s help in 2 Timothy 4:11: “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.”
• Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the four biographical books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).
• While Matthew was written for a Jewish audience, Mark appears to have been written for Roman readers.
• The Book of Mark emphasizes Jesus’ actions over His teachings:
• Includes only four parables.
• Records 19 miracles in quick succession.
• The book uses the Greek word for “immediately” 41 times, translated into various terms such as “anon,” “as soon as,” “shortly,” “forthwith,” “straightway,” and “by and by,” highlighting the rapid pace of events.
• Mark captures the reactions of amazement, fear, and awe experienced by people witnessing Jesus’ miracles.