Mark
Author: Mark, son of Peter
Note my view is advocated by only a small minority. Most scholars say the author is Mark, known as John Mark, who is mentioned in the Bible.
(Please see Reflection #2 below for my thesis regarding the author of the book of Mark.)
Date: 64 A.D., or before! (1)
Language: It is uncertain, though many say Greek.
Place: Rome most likely. Eusebius stated, "But Peter made mention of Mark in the first epistle, which he is also said to have composed at the same city of Rome, and that he showed by this fact, by calling the city by an unusual figure of speech, Babylon..." (Book 2, Chapter 15). (2)
That "figure of speech" implied a city of decadence.
Purpose: To proclaim the gospel, that people would believe in Jesus and follow Him (Mark 1:1 and Mark 8:35-36).
Mark's actions of likewise making an oral proclamation are noted by Eusebius: "The same Mark, they also say, being the first sent to Egypt, proclaimed the gospel there which he had written and first established churches at the city of Alexandria. So great a multitude of believers, both of men and women, were collected there at the very outset, that in consequence of their extreme philosophical discipline and austerity, Philo considered their pursuits..." (Book 2, Chapter 16). (3)
What kind of book?: Ancient historical biography.
Reflection #1: Numerous scholars in numerous seminaries are advocating that Mark was the first gospel written, and that Matthew copied his writing. Yet this is not what a number of early Christian writers stated. Early Christian writers are being flat out ignored in this day and age by numerous "scholars."
Reflection #2: I add a special reflection here, since in 2006 I considered that the author of the book of Mark could be different than the author that most scholars advocated. This all started due to an intense study of the book of I Peter. The result was I got excited and even talked with a scholar who is a friend. I started thinking it would make a great thesis if I started studying for a graduate degree, which was a small dream, yet a dream which persisted. But I changed my mind, because the topic is so narrow. Yet I consider it a blessing that I can share the outline to my "thesis" right now. I do so in order for anyone to see my evidence for such a wild choice for the author of Mark:
Thesis Outline of Hunter Irvine
Copyright 2008 by Hunter Irvine
Introduction: On January 20, 2006, I was near the completion of a personal study of the book of I Peter. After reading I Peter 5:13, I considered that Peter was referring to his physical son named Mark. I recalled a statement from a book that I treasure, In Search of the Twelve Apostles by Dr. William McBirnie, that there was a statement by an early Christian who said Peter was married. Yet then I recalled reading claims by people who advocated that the author of the book of Mark was John called Mark, the cousin of Barnabas.
That weekend, I went to a Christian bookstore which had numerous commentaries, and I started reading commentaries one by one regarding this issue. Every single commentary I read stated the book of Mark was written by John called Mark. However, no commentary author gave a single piece of historical evidence to support his firm statement. Thus began the development of my "thesis," Further studies led to my conviction.
Thesis Statement: Historical evidence from within two hundred and fifty years of the physical birth of Jesus supports my conviction that Peter had a physical son named Mark, who is mentioned by Peter at the conclusion of his Epistle, I Peter 5:13, and Peter's son was the author of the biblical book of Mark.
1.) Historical evidence
a.) Eusebius recorded a statement by Origen: "The second is according to Mark, who composed it, as Peter explained it to him, whom he also acknowledges as his son in his general Epistle, saying, "The elect church in Babylon salutes you, as also Mark my son" (Book 6, Chapter 25, Verse 5). (4)
b.) Eusebius recorded a statement by Clement of Alexandria (not to be mistaken with Clement, the Bishop of Rome): "... another of Palestine, a Hebrew by descent. The last that I met with was the first in excellence. Him I found concealed in Egypt; and, meeting him there, I ceased to extend my search beyond him, as one who had no superior in abilities. These, indeed, preserved the true tradition of the salutary doctrine, which, as given by Peter and James, John and Paul, had descended from father to son. Though there are few like their fathers, they have, by the favor of God, also come down to use to plant that ancient and apostolic seed likewise in our minds" (Book 5, Chapter 11, Verse 4-5). (5)
c.) Eusebius gave another statement by Clement of Alexandria: "Peter and Philip, indeed, had children" (Book 3, Chapter 30, Verse 1). (6)
2.) No ancient historical statements to the contrary
a.) Clement, Bishop of Rome, referred to Mark simply as a "companion" of Peter in his discussion of the book of Mark, as recorded by Eusebius (Book 2, Chapter 15, Verse 1). (7) However, he gave no statements that I have read regarding the specific identity of Mark.
b.) Papias stated that Mark had neither heard nor followed the Lord, yet that he was the "interpreter" of Peter, as recorded by Eusebius (Book 3, Chapter 39, Verse 15). (8) And he gave no statements I have read regarding the specific identity of Mark.
c.) Irenaeus stated that Mark was "the disciple and interpreter of Peter," as recorded by Eusebius (Book 5, Chapter 8, Verse 3). (9) Yet he gave no statements I have read regarding the specific identity of Mark.
There you have it. My big "thesis" which all started from an interest in the final greeting by Peter in his first epistle.
:)
Hunter Irvine
Scripture Love Blog
(1) Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 1993), 132.
(2) Eusebius, Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History: Complete and Unabridged, trans. C.F. Cruse (1955; repr., Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998), 50.
(3) Ibid., 50.
(4) Ibid., 215.
(5) Ibid., 167.
(6) Ibid., 95.
(7) Ibid., 50.
(8) Ibid., 105.
(9) Ibid., 164.
