A certain man AKA John Mark, the writer of the book Mark.
A certain man AKA John Mark, the writer of the book Mark.
This story of a man getting caught by his linen cloth is only told in the Gospel of Mark. This makes the scholars believe that the man in the linen cloth is John Mark. Matthew did not know about this story for he may have gone north. Luke was not there! John may have gone south. And Peter and John also had clothes by the time they made it to the temple.
”Meanwhile, Simon Peter was following Jesus, as was another disciple. That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. But Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper and brought Peter in.“
John 18:15-16 HCSB
So what else do we know about John Mark?
”When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many had assembled and were praying.“
The first mention of Mark is when Peter gets released from prison by an angel he heads straight to Mark’s mom’s house where the early church was praying for him. Just a guess but Mark may have been there being a follower of Jesus.
”After they had completed their relief mission, Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, taking along John who is called Mark.“
Paul and Barnabas were given food to take to Jerusalem to support the church there through a famine. Upon arrival, they drop off the food and grab Mark to head out to Antioch. They left Antioch under the direction of The Holy Spirit and they took Mark along.
”After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers in every town where we have preached the message of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul did not think it appropriate to take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.“
Acts 15:36-38 HCSB
Sometime later Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia. Barnabas wanted to take him on a second journey, but Paul did not want to. Paul set out with Silas and Barnabas set out with Mark.
”Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),“
Colossians 4:10 HCSB
”Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.“
”Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.“
Philemon 1:23-24 HCSB
Paul and Mark must have mended their friendship. Paul began to see that Mark was being used by God and so he also became useful in Paul’s life.
So the certain man became Mark who is useful to me! All of us have growing to do and over the years I hope that we grow from a new convert following Jesus to a mature Christian who is useful by Jesus.
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