Mark the Evangelist

Evangelist · Apostle · Hierarch · Martyr · 12–68 · Cyrene, Alexandria, Cyprus, Rome

Life events

  1. Born — 12

    Mark was born in Cyrene, a city in the Pentapolis region of North Africa (present-day Libya), according to Coptic tradition.

  2. Other — 43

    Mark served as travel companion and interpreter to Peter on his journey from Antioch through Asia Minor to Rome, and composed the Gospel of Mark by writing down Peter's sermons before departing for Alexandria in the third year of Emperor Claudius (AD 43), according to Eusebius of Caesarea.

  3. Wrote — 43

    Mark composed the Gospel bearing his name, traditionally understood as a written record of Peter's eyewitness preaching. Most modern critical scholars regard the gospel as anonymous, though the traditional attribution to Mark remains debated.

  4. Pilgrimage

    Following the Council of Jerusalem, Mark traveled to Cyprus with Barnabas (Acts 15:39). He also spent several years in Pentapolis before making his way to Alexandria.

  5. Consecrated — 49

    In AD 49, approximately 16 years after the Ascension of Jesus, Mark travelled to Alexandria and founded the Church of Alexandria, becoming its first bishop. The Coptic Orthodox Church, the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, and the Coptic Catholic Church all trace their origins to this founding community.

  6. Other — 62

    Mark was succeeded as bishop of Alexandria by Anianus in the eighth year of Nero (AD 62/63), according to Eusebius — possibly in anticipation of his coming death.

  7. Martyred — 68

    In AD 68, pagans in Alexandria who resented Mark's missionary activity placed a rope around his neck and dragged him through the streets until he died, according to Coptic tradition.

Numbered pins trace the chronological journey from 5places; the line connects events in order of year.

Relationships

Relationships (1)
Relationship ego graph (1-hop) for Mark the Evangelist Related to Saint Barnabas Related to Saint Barnabas Saint Barnabas Mark the Evangelist

Documented claims

  • Hippolytus of Rome and Coptic tradition identify Mark as one of the Seventy Disciples sent out by Jesus (Luke 10:1), distinct from both the Twelve Apostles and from Mark the cousin of Barnabas. (plausible)
  • Mark's traditional symbol is the winged lion, associated in Christian iconography with the Resurrection: lions were believed to sleep with open eyes, analogous to Christ in the tomb. (likely)
  • Aspects of the Coptic liturgy are traced back to Mark himself; the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Greek Orthodox Church of Alexandria, and the Coptic Catholic Church all claim descent from the Alexandrian community he founded. (plausible)
  • The earliest external witness to Markan authorship of the Gospel is Papias of Hierapolis (c. 60–130 AD), whose testimony scholars of the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School consider 'almost certain' to refer to John Mark, though modern mainstream scholars find his evidence difficult to interpret. (disputed)
  • Mark's feast is kept on April 25 by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches; Coptic churches observe it on Parmouti 30 of the Coptic calendar, which aligns with May 8 on the Gregorian calendar through 2099. (certain)