Mark

Mark, also known as John Mark, was the author of the second Gospel, the Gospel of Mark. Written in Greek for a Christian audience, and using terms that were meaningless to non-believers, Mark’s Gospel is a mixture of theology and history. It is written in a simple, forceful style.

Mark himself accompanied Paul and Barnabas, his cousin, on their missionary journey. Mark’s unexplained departure from that trip at Perga caused a later split between Paul and Barnabas, when Paul refused to take Mark on the second mission. Barnabas, in loyalty to his cousin Mark, broke off his relationship with Paul and traveled with Mark instead to Cyprus. Later Paul and Mark were reunited and went on an additional trip together.

Mark was close to the older Peter, who once described Mark as "my son.". Mark likely acted as an interpreter for Peter and the Gospel According to Mark is often considered to be Peter’s Gospel as transcribed by Mark.