Mark the Evangelist
Mark the Evangelist[a] (Koinē Greek: Μᾶρκος, romanized: Mârkos), also known as John Mark (Koinē Greek: Ἰωάννης Μάρκος, romanized: Iōannēs Mârkos; Aramaic: ܝܘܚܢܢ, romanized: Yōḥannān) or Saint Mark, is the person who is traditionally ascribed to be the author of the Gospel of Mark. Modern Bible scholars have concluded that the Gospel of Mark was written by an anonymous author rather than an identifiable historical figure. According to Church tradition, Mark founded the episcopal see of Alexandria, which was one of the five most important sees of early Christianity. His feast day is celebrated on April 25, and his symbol is the winged lion.[5]
"Saint Mark" redirects here. For other uses, see Saint Mark (disambiguation).
Mark the Evangelist
c. 12 AD
Cyrene, Crete and Cyrenaica, Roman Empire
(according to Coptic tradition)[1]
c. 68 AD (aged c. 56)
Alexandria, Egypt, Roman Empire
All Christian churches that venerate saints
- 25 April (Catholic, Anglican Church, and Eastern Orthodox Julian calendar date)
- 30 Parmouti or 8 May (Coptic Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox Gregorian calendar date)
Gospel of Mark (attributed)
Biblical and traditional information[edit]
Evidence for Mark the Evangelist's authorship of the Gospel of Mark that bears his name originates with Papias (c. 60 – c. 130 AD).[42][43][44] Scholars of the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School are "almost certain" that Papias is referencing John Mark.[45] Modern mainstream Bible scholars find Papias's information difficult to interpret.[46]
The Coptic Church accords with identifying Mark the Evangelist with John Mark, as well as that he was one of the Seventy Disciples sent out by Jesus (Luke 10:1),[13] as Hippolytus confirmed.[47] Coptic tradition also holds that Mark the Evangelist hosted the disciples in his house after Jesus's death, that the resurrected Jesus came to Mark's house (John 20), and that the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples at Pentecost in the same house.[47] Furthermore, Mark is also believed to have been among the servants at the Marriage at Cana who poured out the water that Jesus turned to wine (John 2:1–11).[48][47]
According to the Coptic tradition, Mark was born in Cyrene, a city in the Pentapolis of North Africa (now Libya). This tradition adds that Mark returned to Pentapolis later in life, after being sent by Paul to Colossae (Colossians 4:10;[10] Philemon 24.)[49] Some, however, think these actually refer to Mark the Cousin of Barnabas), and serving with him in Rome (2 Timothy 4:11);[8] from Pentapolis he made his way to Alexandria.[50][51] When Mark returned to Alexandria, the pagans of the city resented his efforts to turn the Alexandrians away from the worship of their traditional gods.[52] In AD 68, they placed a rope around his neck and dragged him through the streets until he was dead.[52]
Venetian merchants with the help of two Greek monks take Mark the Evangelist's body to Venice, by Tintoretto
Mark the Evangelist listening to the winged lion, Mark; image 21 of the Codex Aureus of Lorsch or Lorsch Gospels
Mark the Evangelist looking at the lion, c. 823
The martyrdom of Saint Mark. Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry (Musée Condé, Chantilly), c. 1412 and 1416.
Mark the Evangelist with the lion, 1524
Saint Mark on a 17th-century naive painting by unknown artist in the choir of St Mary church (Sankta Maria kyrka) in Åhus, Sweden
St. Mark writes his Evangelium at the dictation of St. Peter, by Pasquale Ottino, 17th century, Beaux-Arts, Bordeaux
Saint Mark the Evangelist Icon from the royal gates of the central iconostasis of the Kazan Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, 1804
Mark the Evangelist is most often depicted writing or holding his gospel.[54] In Christian tradition, Mark the Evangelist is symbolized by a winged lion.[55]
Mark the Evangelist attributes are the lion in the desert; he can be depicted as a bishop on a throne decorated with lions; as a man helping Venetian sailors. He is often depicted holding a book with pax tibi Marce written on it or holding a palm and book. Other depictions of Mark show him as a man with a book or scroll, accompanied by a winged lion. The lion might also be associated with Jesus' Resurrection because lions were believed to sleep with open eyes, thus a comparison with Christ in his tomb, and Christ as king.
Mark the Evangelist can be depicted as a man with a halter around his neck and as rescuing Christian slaves from Saracens.