Becker Bible Studies
King James Bible chapter index
Mark
Mark was the traveling companion of both Paul and Peter, and wrote
this Gospel from the Roman perspective. He was a seasoned veteran
of the Christian walk, well versed in apostolic teaching, and had
extensive missionary experience under wise guides. He was the
cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10) and participated in early stages of
Paul's first missionary journey. For some reason he did not finish
the journey, but went back to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Later on, Paul
would not have Mark on his mission team because of this desertion (Acts
15:38). Yet in later years he and Paul were reconciled (Col 4:10; Philem
24). Paul regarded him as one of the few who were faithful to his
ministry to the end (2 Tim 4:11). There is good evidence that this
gospel reflects Peter's contributions, and that they had close ties (1
Pet 5:13). Tradition holds that Mark wrote primarily for a largely
Gentile audience resident in Rome, as he seeks to encourage them
to follow and keep following Jesus Christ.
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