Communion With the Christ:: Elementary Notes About the Gospels: St. Mark.

The Oldest Synoptic Gospel

Among the Synoptic Gospels, St. Mark’s account is generally believed to be the earliest written. It may have originally existed in note form before being fully compiled around the mid-50s AD—although some scholars place it as late as 68–70 AD.

The Gospel of St. Mark is traditionally attributed to John Mark, who is mentioned in:

Acts 12:12, 25
Acts 15:37

John Mark was from Jerusalem, and his mother’s name was Mary. He was a relative of the Apostle Barnabas, one of St. Paul’s missionary companions during evangelistic tours to plant churches.

John Mark’s Departure & Apostolic Dispute

During one of Saints Paul and Barnabas’ missionary journeys, John Mark left under unknown circumstances, causing a dispute between the two Apostles and disrupting their partnership for a time:

"Barnabas wanted to bring John called Mark along with them too, but Paul insisted that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. They had a sharp disagreement, so that they parted company. Barnabas took along Mark."
—Acts 15:38-39

Despite this conflict, Mark later rejoined the missionary efforts and remained a key figure in the early Church.

St. Peter’s Influence on St. Mark’s Gospel

It is widely believed that St. Mark gathered much of his Gospel’s content through his relationship with St. Peter.

St. Peter refers to St. Mark in 1 Peter 5:13, calling him “my son”—suggesting a close mentor-student relationship.

Many scholars believe that Mark’s Gospel largely reflects St. Peter’s perspective, with Mark acting as his scribe.

Symbolism of St. Mark’s Gospel

In early Christian symbolism, Mark’s Gospel is represented by a winged lion—a reference to Israel’s history.

The lion was the tribal banner of Judah, the tribe from which Israel’s kings arose—and from which Jesus Himself descended.

During Israel’s journey through the wilderness, the lion banner was positioned on the north side of the tabernacle, symbolizing leadership and strength—qualities reflected in Christ’s life and ministry.

St. Mark’s Account & Its Influence

The full Greek name of Mark’s Gospel is:
"κατὰ Μᾶρκον εὐαγγέλιον" ("to euangelion kata Markon")

Some scholars believe Mark’s account served as a reference source for Matthew and Luke, as their Gospels share similarities in structure and content.

It is also evident that Mark used the Greek translation of the Old Testament—the Septuagint—when quoting Scripture.

Was St. Mark Present During Jesus’ Arrest?

John Mark was not one of the original Apostles, yet he may have had close contact with Jesus and His disciples.

His Gospel is the only one to include an unusual reference to a “young man” fleeing naked during Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane:

"A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind."
—Mark 15:51-52

Some believe this young man was John Mark himself, subtly inserting his firsthand presence at this critical moment as evidence of his credibility.

The Action-Oriented Gospel

St. Mark’s Gospel is brief yet powerful, focusing heavily on Jesus’ actions rather than long theological discourse.

St. Mark portrays Christ as the suffering servant, determined to complete His mission. This approach may reflect St. Peter’s nature, as Peter was known for acting before thinking.

This action-driven style would have resonated with Roman audiences, who favored direct, practical narratives over excessive details.

At times, St. Mark’s writing is descriptive and lively, carefully explaining Jewish customs to accommodate readers unfamiliar with them.

More than any other Gospel, Mark emphasizes:

Jesus’ miracles
Jesus’ divine power
Jesus' authority over nature and spiritual forces

The Ending of Mark’s Gospel

There has been debate over the final verses of St. Mark’s Gospel (Mark 16:9-20).

Some historians believe these verses were added later, as an editorial note. The style and wording differ from the rest of the Gospel, leading Eusebius and Jerome to conclude that these passages were absent in earlier manuscripts.

Nonetheless, the content of these verses remains consistent with the overarching message of the Gospel narrative.

St. Mark’s Gospel remains a foundational account, offering a direct, dynamic portrayal of Jesus as the suffering servant and miracle-worker.

Its emphasis on action, power, and purpose ensures its enduring significance for generations of believers.

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Son of Man

St. Mark’s Gospel leaves the details of Jesus’ birth and early life in Galilee to the other Gospel writers. Instead, Mark presents Jesus’ role in history as self-evident, introducing Him directly onto the scene—coming out of Galilee with the message of salvation.

St. Mark carefully emphasizes Jesus as “the Son of Man”—the title most frequently used by Jesus to describe Himself. This title reflects His love and identification with all humanity.

Throughout the Gospel accounts, Jesus refers to Himself as "the Son of Man" over 80 times—with Mark giving particular attention to its usage. In doing so, Mark highlights that Jesus’ humanity is just as important as His deity.

Jesus' Emotions in St. Mark’s Gospel

One unique feature of St. Mark’s Gospel is its focus on Jesus’ emotions—St. Mark describes His feelings and reactions to those around Him more than any other Gospel writer.

A Call to Discipleship

The Roman world understood duty, but Mark’s message goes beyond duty—calling people to true discipleship and all that it entails.

Romans would have grasped this concept well, as many had served as legionnaires, experiencing long-term commitments of 20+ years in military service.

Mark’s Gospel calls believers to lifelong dedication to Jesus Christ—a commitment that could lead to unforeseen trials, rejection, or even death.

Yet, for some in the Roman world, this call to full devotion was a powerful attraction to Christianity.

St. Mark’s Personal Journey of Redemption

St. Mark’s theme of rejection and redemption may stem from his own experience.

After leaving St. Paul and St. Barnabas’ evangelistic tour, St. Mark faced rejection from St. Paul, causing tension between the two Apostles:

However, St. Mark was later restored in St. Paul’s eyes. Writing to Pastor St. Timothy, St. Paul acknowledges Mark’s value in ministry:

"Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry."
—2 Timothy 4:11

Despite his earlier struggles, St. Mark ultimately found redemption—demonstrating how failure is not the end and that God’s calling remains.

Conclusion

Even in its brevity, St. Mark’s Gospel holds profound significance—depicting Jesus as:

The Servant of Almighty God
A figure of power and authority
A suffering Savior who conquered death and rose again

Benediction

May we each and all give glory to our Lord Jesus, who as the Son of Man has taken every necessary action for us if we will but believe—today, tomorrow, and forevermore. Amen.