Mark the writer...

Historians tell us that Mark was a ministry companion to Peter, and early church tradition even records that his main role was to help Peter as an interpreter. Papias, one of the earliest church fathers (as quoted by Eusebius in Church History 3.39), wrote that Mark “became Peter’s interpreter” and wrote down what he remembered of the things Peter preached. Some understand this to mean he literally translated Peter’s words into Greek, while others take it to mean he captured and explained Peter’s sermons in writing.

In essence, the Gospel could almost be called the Gospel according to Peter, but since he never bothered to write, Mark gets the applause. You can however tell that this is Peter’s story by how Peter stands out. His name was changed, his speeches captured, his actions clearly told and his personality well articulated. Peter himself even refers to Mark affectionately as “my son” (1 Peter 5:13), showing just how close their relationship was.

One of the best ways to get the mood and the message of this writing is to read it aloud. Why aloud? Because that’s how Mark got it first—he was hearing Peter preach and was basically transcribing. Many preachers tend to speak jumping around as the story gets exciting and they remember another detail, then another and another. The translator can sometimes get lost, but when you read aloud, it helps clarify the gaps we see in the stories told. This can also be called Peter’s sermon notes.

Mark was that brother who simply wrote, not knowing that his writings would turn out to be canonical. What’s the small or little thing you’re doing for the body of Christ? Please keep at it. God sees and will use it to raise a mighty work across the world for His glory. Amen?