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Since the beginning of the Gospel tradition Mark has been viewed as an inferior, abridged version of the book of Matthew.

Augustine's statement that "Mark imitated Matthew like a lackey and is regarded as his abbrevitor" was the prevailing line of thinking until about the first half of the nineteenth century.

As a result of scholarly investigation of the first three Gospels, it was determined that Mark was actually the first Gospel.

What do we know about the book of Mark?

It might surprise you to find that there has been some controversy regarding the authorship of the book called "The Gospel according to Mark". Much like the writers of the other Gospels, the writer does not identify himself. He does not declare the occasion for its writing as do Luke (1:1-4) and John (20:30-31).

The titles for all four Gospels were given by the church sometime during the first half of the second century. The standard naming convention for a Gospel was "The Gospel according to ..." .

Usually an Apostle like Matthew, John or a major figure such as Luke, is used to name a Gospel. Mark was not considered a prominent figure Biblically, nor does he appear often in the text. Let's examine the references containing Mark that the Bible does provide.

Acts 12:11-12 tells us a bit about Mark's family.

Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating." When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

1) What was happening in these two verses?
Peter was released from jail by an Angel.
He took refuge at Mary mother of Mark's house.
People were worshiping and praying at Mary's house.

2) What was Peter's first action when he realized he been set free?
He sought refuge there at a sister in Christ's house.

3) What do these verses say about Mark's mother?
She was a devoted Christian.

4) What lessons can we learn from these verses?

a. Tradition tells us the author of this Gospel was a Jewish Christian named John Marcus.
b. The Roman name of Marcus may indicate Roman citizenship.
c. It is thought that the Last Supper took place took place in Mary's house.

When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and

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