[Timeline of the New Testament]
The gospel writer Mark is also called "John whose surname was Mark" (Acts 12:12, 25, 15:37) or John Mark. He is additionally reference as Marcus (Colossians 4:10, Philemon 1:24, 1Peter 5:13) in the King James Bible as well as John in Acts 13:13. He is mentioned by name a total of nine times in nine New Testament verses.
The name Mark (Strong's Concordance #G3138) means "a defense" (Thayer's Greek Definitions).
c. 12 A.D.
Mark is Born
The Bible is silent about when Mark, a Jew from the tribe of Levi, began his life. That said, he was highly likely the "young man" who ran away naked in Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested in 30 A.D. (Mark 14:51 - 52). He was probably a teenager, living in Jerusalem, at the time of the incident (Holy Bible, a Faithful Version, Chpt. 6).
[Where Is Gethsemane Located?]
Although we know that Mary is the mother of Mark (Acts 12:12), we do not know the name of his father. He was likely dead when the events recorded in Acts 12:12 took place in 44 A.D.
Mark's family was financially prosperous as the Bible states Mary owned a house in Jerusalem spacious enough to host a large home church. She also had at least one servant (Acts 12:12 - 13).
Famous Relative
Colossians 4:10 reveals the relationship between Mark and Barnabas. It says, in the King James, that "Marcus, (was) sister's son to Barnabas . . .".
The Greek word translated "sister's son" in the KJV is anepsios (Strong's #G431), a word that should be translated as "cousin" (Thayer's Greek Definitions). This means that Mark and Barnabas were cousins.
[Does Bible Allow Cousins to Marry?]
April 5, 30 A.D. (Wednesday)
A Hidden Appearance?
Mark's gospel, the only one to do so, mentions an unnamed young man who ran away naked during Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane.
Now a certain young man was following Him, having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body; and the young men (likely soldiers who aided Jesus' arrest) seized him, but he escaped, leaving the linen cloth behind, and ran from them naked (Mark 14:51 - 52, HBFV throughout).
[Timeline of Jesus' Last Days!]
It is highly likely Mark wrote of himself in the above verse (see our article entitled "Did Mark Flee Naked from Jesus?" for more info on this fascinating subject!).
38 to 42 A.D.
Conversion
Peter, after the conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10), travels back to Jerusalem (11:2). He stays in the city from 38 to 44 A.D. (HBFV, Chronology V). During this time Mark was also residing in the city.
Peter was possibly the catalyst for the conversion of Mark, as the apostle would later call him "my son" which means his son in the faith (1Peter 5:13). Peter's close relationship with Mark and his family will soon be further revealed as he will travel to their house after being miraculously freed from prison (Acts 12).
42 A.D.
Gospel Written
Mark writes his gospel when he is roughly thirty years old. Since He was not an eyewitness to the vast majority of Jesus' ministry, his book is primarily based on the testimony of the Apostle Peter.
[Symbols of the Gospel Writers]
[Why Are There Only Four Gospels?]
"The early Church believed that St. Mark's Gospel was in reality the Gospel of St. Peter, and that Mark simply put down the words and memories of his master and friend the Apostle Peter." (Popular Commentary on the New Testament).
"Papias reports from the presbyter John [Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 3.39], that Mark was interpreter of Peter, recording in his Gospel the facts related to him by Peter." (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary).
Mark's gospel, created when the Apostle John also wrote most of his, is one of the earliest books included in the New Testament.
44 A.D.
Early Spring
At Home in Jerusalem
The Apostle Peter stays in Jerusalem until 44 A.D. when he is arrested and thrown in prison by Herod Agrippa I during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (sunset April 1 to sunset April 8). After the church fervently prays for him he is miraculously released from jail by an angel.
Peter, upon being freed, walks to the house owned by Mary where Mark is currently residing.
And as he was pondering this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying (Acts 12:12).
Spring
Food Relief, Travel to Antioch
Barnabas and Paul escort needed food relief from Syrian Antioch to Judea due to a prophesied famine (Acts 11:27 - 30). After their delivery is completed they travel from Jerusalem back to Antioch and take Mark with them (Acts 12:25).
[Greatest Famines in the Bible!]
Late Spring
Paul's First Missionary Journey
The Apostle Paul begins his first missionary journey from Syrian Antioch (Acts 13:4 - 14:25). Accompanying him on his travels are Barnabas and Mark. The group sails to the island of Cyprus and evangelizes it before taking a ship to the Asia Minor port of Perga. It is in Perga that Mark leaves and returns to Jerusalem.
[Map of Paul's First Missionary Journey]
Then Paul and his company sailed away from Paphos and came to Perga of Pamphylia; but John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).
49 A.D.
Late Autumn
Splitting Up
Paul, while in Syrian Antioch, tells Barnabas the time has come to revisit some of the areas evangelized during their first missionary journey. Barnabas, wanting to give his cousin Mark a second chance, wants to take him on the trip. The apostle, however, refuses to take him since he abandoned them in Perga.
[Paul's Life and Missionary Journeys]
The sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas results in the pair splitting up. The apostle takes Silas through Syria and Cilicia while Barnabas takes Mark and travels to Cyprus.
[Was a Church Started on Cyprus?]
As a result, such a sharp contention arose between them that they parted from one another. And Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; But Paul chose Silas and departed . . . (Acts 15:39 - 40).
61 to 63 A.D.
Visiting Paul in Prison
The Apostle Paul is a prisoner in Rome awaiting his trial before Caesar. While incarcerated he writes several letters known as the prison epistles. These letters are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.
[How Many Times Was Paul Arrested?]
Colossians 4 states Mark is one of the people with Paul in Rome.
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, salutes you and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you received instructions . . . (Colossians 4:10).
Paul's letter to his friend Philemon also mentions Mark being with him in the Roman capital.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, salutes you; As do also Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers (Philemon 1:23 - 24).
Mark, during this period, was likely one of the people who acted as Paul's secretary for one or more of his prison writings.
[Who Wrote Apostle Paul's Books?]
64 to 65 A.D.
Peter writes 1Peter from the ancient city of Babylon to fellow Christians in Asia Minor. Near the end of his epistle He mentions that Mark is also with him in the city.
The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, as does Mark, my son (1Peter 5:13).
Even though Mark at one time refused to evangelize Asia Minor (Acts 13:13), his later efforts made him familiar to many of its churches.
[Was There a Church in Babylon?]
68 A.D.
In late 67 A.D. Paul is arrested and thrown back in prison a second time. Sensing that his life will soon end, he writes in early 68 to his dear friend Timothy admitting his fate was fast approaching.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith (2Timothy 4:6 - 7).
Paul, who had Luke with him, wanted Timothy to come to him quickly and bring with him Mark.
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is profitable to me for the ministry of the Word . . . When you come, bring the chest that I left in Troas with Carpus, and the books - especially the parchments (2Timothy 4:11, 13).
Paul's impending death motivates him to seek the help needed to finalize his writings for inclusion in the Bible (see 2Peter 3:15 - 16).
"Knowing he would soon be martyred, Paul urgently began to complete the canonization of his Epistles. At this time, Luke was with Paul and could assist in this all-important task. However, in order for Paul to complete his work, he needed Timothy - and Mark. Paul summoned Timothy, specifically requesting that he bring Mark as well." (HBFV, chapter 9, page 69)
Conclusion
The date and circumstances surrounding the ending of the life of Mark is unknown. Catholic tradition, as well as Foxe's Book of Martyrs, speculates that he died in Alexandria after being dragged through the streets.