How did that happen?
Unlike Matthew and John, Mark was not an eyewitness to most of the scenes he described, in fact there is only circumstantial evidence that he was present at any of them. He was not an apostle, and he isn’t associated as one of the “big” followers of Jesus, but he does appear in Scripture.
John Mark, our author, was the son of a well-known woman named Mary, who was a leading follower of Jesus at the time of death of James. Her home in Jerusalem was an early gathering place for the disciples there, and is the place Peter returned to when he was released from prison in Acts 12:12 ff. where “John who is also called Mark” is mentioned. Mary was also the sister of Barnabas of the Jerusalem church. (Col. 4:10; Acts 4:5-6, 37; 9:26-27; 11:22-24) Thus, from the earliest days of the church, and maybe before that, John Mark would have frequently found himself in the company of the apostles who had been closely associated with Jesus during His earthly ministry. Can you imagine being a youth hanging out with the apostles day after day in your own home?
As the years went by, John Mark was closely associated as the assistant for Paul and Barnabas (Acts 12:25; 13:5; 15:37-39) and later with Peter (1 Peter 5:13) and again with Paul (Col. 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11). Certainly, then, Mark had every opportunity to have heard the eyewitness accounts of the apostles, and showed that he was far from a casual believer.
Some more recent scholars have suggested that Mark couldn’t have written an inspired account of the life of Jesus. I’m sure these scholars are much smarter than I am, because I can’t see the point of such speculations, unless Mark hasn’t reported something in a way that it fits nicely into a particular scholar’s theological conclusions, and if that is the reason, then it’s a bad reason. It also strikes me as odd that a “Christian” scholar can’t see that God can use anyone for his purposes, as though one must go to the “right” school to be taken seriously. Luke wasn’t an eyewitness either, but few, if any, question his gospel, since Luke was with Paul. John Mark was with all of the apostles and spent years with both Paul and Peter. In fact, many believe he wrote this account with Peter’s oversight.
You are free to think what you will of course, but as for me, Mark is as valid an account as Matthew, Luke or John, and is well worth our careful attention and study.
Life Project Blog 
There are some that suggestion Mark 14:51-52 talks about Mark. Why is that passage in the book? How would Mark know about it? The last supper was probably at Mark’s place, so it does make sense.
Well Nate, that’s an interesting idea. We’ll have to take a look at it in due course… Thanks for mentioning it!
I appreciate your openness and attention to detail in your articles… I feel like you state the facts, but leave the holy spirit to move our soul for us to come to conclusions yet express what is guided in your soul by the Spirit. Of course some may not completely open up and have their own agendas, but instead of arguing with them ,I pray for them that God reveals the truth to all of us (myself included). thanks again
Thanks Wade! That is the idea here and I really appreciate your comments!
This is fascinating, thank you for this “overview”.
G’morning Don!
I love Mark’s Gospel, and from time to time have spent some serious quality time in its pages. It is only in recent years that I have come to associate this Mark with the John Mark of Paul’s writings and travels. But I’ll never forget the introductory words of a teacher assigning me some research in Mark…
“The Gospel of Mark is sometimes called the ‘Travel Log of Jesus’. There’s this wonderful sense of breathlessness about it, as it moves at a fast pace through a vast number of encounters. It’s like Mark is constantly saying… “And then we went there… and there we did this… and there we saw these… and then He said this… and then we went there… and then we met them… and then we did this…”
My friend was right, and there is that wonderful sense of “motion” to this Gospel. Considering the traveling Mark did, maybe he is wired as a “travel log writer person”. Maybe he was a tyro for Paul in their travels together, and this Gospel is perfectly consistent with Mark’s own style of perceiving and reporting.
So glad yer doing this series!
Grace — LM
Thanks Lm
Yep, he is almost at a frantic pace in places; I get a little frustrated with him. “So Mark, buddy, take a breath, slow down and tell us something: Why did I need to know that?”
🙂
Lol. I almost get the sense that perhaps he is/was a tyro. A recordkeeper, like for a ship, merchant, traveller, caravan master… something. Where this kind of recording had critical importance.
Perhaps you’ll address, but amazing how many times he notes Jesus’ NOT wanting His role/nature revealed publicly. He’s the one author who seems to make note of the “downside” of notoriety.
Grace — LM
Yes he is, and that is an interesting point to ponder, so many theories, so little text…
Mark is not my favorite Gospel only because the writing style puts me off. It always seems disjointed. Regarding the sentence about the young guy doing the streak, Mark also mentions that Simon of Cyrene (the guy who carried Jesus’ cross) had two sons called Alexander and Rufus. Now why would Mark even mention this? My guess is that the streaker and Simon’s sons gives a historical record to Mark’s account. Some people in those times would have known of these events and validated the Gospel.
I think you’re probably right about that Steve, it would certainly make sense. As for the writing style, I agree with you on that as well. Mark’s style isn’t my favorite either, yet I must admit that it has its value; it’s still a fun one to revisit periodically.
Reblogged this on kdramaostersheet.
The bible also said that every Scripture is inspired by God, and I’m sure that as He was writing the Spirit led him too. The bible didn’t say everything is God-inspired except for Mark, but it said everything.
It’s really quite interesting how many scholars overlook that point on a regular basis
Yes, God never said that Mark was ‘excluded from the Scripture’!
2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.