Mark is a key figure in the New Testament era and the author of the Gospel of Mark, the first recorded Gospel. Mark is a Greek name, and his Hebrew name is John. The Bible uses the expression 'John, also called Mark.' His mother, Mary, was a wealthy woman who provided her upper room as a place of prayer for believers.
Acts 12:12When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
Acts 12:25Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John who was called Mark.
Acts 13:5When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar Jesus,
Acts 13:13But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.
사도행전 15장에서는 자세한 내용은 나오지 않으나 전도 여행 과정에서 이탈하는 일이 있었고 이로인하여 바나바와 바울이 다투는 일이 발생하기도 하였다.
Acts 15:35After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”Acts 15:36Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.Acts 15:37But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work.Acts 15:38Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,Acts 15:39but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
골로새서에 보면 마가는 바나바의 조카임이 기록되어있다.
Colossians 4:10and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
2 Timothy 4:11But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
Philemon 1:24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
또, 베드로와는 매우 사이가 가까운 것으로 나타나는데, 베드로전서에서 베드로는 마가를 '아들'이라고 표현하기도 하였다.
1 Peter 5:13Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to all of you who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.