3rd Quarter 2024, Lesson 01 - The beginning of the Gospel

Who wrote the Gospel of Mark, and why was it written? No Gospel lists the name of the author. The one that comes the closest is John, with reference to the beloved disciple (see John 21:20; John 21:24).

However, from early times, each of the canonical Gospels has been associated with either an apostle (Matthew, John) or with a companion of an apostle. For example, the Gospel of Luke is linked with Paul (see Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24). The Gospel of Mark is linked with Peter (see 1 Peter 5:13).

Though the author of Mark never gives his name in the text, early church tradition indicates that the author of the Gospel of Mark was John Mark, a sometime traveling companion of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2; Acts 13:5) and later an associate of Peter (1 Peter 5:13).

The first step this week will be to learn about Mark as reported in Scripture, to see his early failure and eventual recovery. Then the study will turn to the opening section of Mark with a look forward to where the story is headed and a look backward at why a failed and then restored missionary would write such a text.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 6.