Who is mark according to the bible?

Answer 1

John Mark was a native of Western Libya. He was born in the city of Cyrene in Pentapolis. Mark was born of Jewish parents three years after the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His given name was יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan) meaning "YAHWEH is gracious". John is the Greek transliteration of that name. His surname was Mark which is a Latin or Roman name meaning warlike or smashing hammer:

Bible verse that reveal Mark's two names are as follows

Acts 12:11,12 When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

Act 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Act 15:37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.

His parents, Aristopolos his father and Mary his mother, moved to Palestine shortly after the birth of Mark due to the Berber attacks in their home area. They lived in Cana of Galilee. A few years later Mark's father died and Peter Simon (Cephas), who was married to a relative of Mark's father took care of Mark and considered him a son:

1 Peter 5:13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
'Mark' was actually his Roman surname. His real name was John. (Acts 12:25) Perhaps he was given this name by some Roman soldiers who saw little John playing; and thought he was so cute, they called him 'Mark'; and then it stuck with some people. Who knows how he got the surname? It means: "dedicated to Mars'. At least that's how the Romans named him. He probably got the name before John met Jesus, and before he became a Christian.

(It might by like today, seeing a little bright eyed girl playing; and someone calls her 'sunshine'. Everyone knows she's not really from the sun.)

His real name 'John' is of Hebrew origin; it means 'Jehovah has been gracious'; or 'Jehovah has shown favor.'

In Acts he is called just plain 'John' (Acts 13:13; Acts 15:39; Philemon 25) But other times it calls him 'John' -- and then mentions his Roman surname that some might know him by; and to differentiate him from the many other 'Johns'.
evangelist

Answer 2

Mark was the cousin of Barnabas from The Bible, we can read of him in he book of COL, chapter 4 verse 10. Also in the book of Acts chapter13 verse 5.