Where did Mark get his information about the life and work of Jesus?

As said before, we know that his home was from the beginning a Christian center of Jerusalem. He must have heard many times about Jesus from fellow Christians. Most likely, he had a source of information without an authority.

Towards the end of the 2^nd century there was a man named Papias who liked to obtain and transmit information about Jesus in the early days of the Church. Papias tells us that Mark wrote what he heard from the preaching of Peter, the greatest of the apostles. Certainly, Mark stood so close to Peter, and so near to his heart, that Peter called him his own son (1 Peter 5:13).

the historical Jesus

After many years, Mark re-emerges in a surprising way. It was learned that when Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians from prison in Rome Mark is there with him (Colossians 4:10). In another prison letter, to Philemon, Paul numbers Mark among his fellow-laborers. Whatever happened, Mark redeemed himself, he was the one Paul wanted at the end.

For many years, there was no news about the whereabouts of Mark. Tradition has it that he went down to Egypt and founded the church of Alexandria there. True or not, no one knows. 



posted by fr everet corvera

Mark went home and left the expedition because he was scared to face the dangers of the most dangerous road in the world, a road haunted by bandits. But some commentators say that perhaps he went home because he wanted to see his mother. Others say that he did not approve of the work of Paul.

Paul and Barnabas eventually succeeded on their journey together. Barnabas the uncle was anxious to take Mark with them again. So serious was the difference between them that Paul and Barnabas split company. As far as we know, they never worked together again.

posted by Fr Everet Corvera

Who is Mark, the Gospel writer?

From the very start Mark was brought up in the very center of the Christian faith. He was the son of well-to-do lady named Mary, and whose place was the meeting place of the early church (Acts 12:12).

Mark was also the nephew of Barnabas. When Paul and Barnabas set out on their first mission they took Mark with them to be their writer and attendant. This journey was a most unfortunate one for Mark because when they reached Perga, Paul proposed to strike inland up to the central plateau; and for some reason Mark left and went home (Acts 13:13).

posted by Everet Corvera

INTRODUCTION to the Chronicles

It is Jesus' last day as a human being, and a young boy named Mark is about to witness firsthand some of the most significant events in all Christian and human history: the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, Peter's denial of his Master, and Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection as the Easter Christ.
In the years following, in the footsteps of his mentor and friend St Peter, Mark becomes the ardent follower of Jesus and a devoted disciple of Christianity, spreading the Word of God even outside the boundaries of Jerusalem and to the rest of the world. Mark intently listened to the stories from Peter's accounts of Jesus - His messages, His teachings, His lasting miracles, His promises about everlasting life, His beloved people, and compiled them into writing which became the Gospel of Mark.


posted by Everet Corvera