The first mention of John Mark is in connection with his mother Mary. The home was in Jerusalem, and in her house many were gathered together praying at the time of Peter’s release from prison. Thus, John Mark was brought up in good spiritual circumstances. His mother was a sister of Barnabas, and therefore of the tribe of Levi. It seems he lived in a large house with at least one maid-servant. The home was open to the saints.
His Early Spiritual Experience. He would have witnessed, or known about, many of the early events in Jerusalem and was in fellowship in the assembly there by the time of the happenings of Acts chapter 12. Thus, about ten years after Pentecost, he would have been at the meetings when ‘prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God’ for Peter, v. 5. Also he would have shared the sorrow of the saints at the death of James, and would have witnessed the mighty sovereign power of God with men generally when the death of Herod took place.
His First View of another Assembly. It seems that Barnabas and Saul were in Jerusalem at that time also. Eventually, they returned to Antioch, taking John Mark with them. There were valuable lessons to be learned in this new assembly. The problems were different from those at Jerusalem. This assembly had been established in a different way and had many believers with a Gentile background. John Mark would have witnessed the increase in spiritual gift in the assembly there, and would have seen the variety of servants of God, no doubt benefiting from their ministry. For him this was a time of important preparation.
His First Journey in the Service of God. The call of Barnabas and Saul to the work whereunto God had called them was a momentous event in the life of the assembly at Antioch; it was revealed to the assembly as well as to the servants. All still waited upon God before commending them, but eventually they went forth, taking John Mark with them. The first sphere of service was Cyprus, and there Mark gave service to help; there was preaching and travelling throughout the island, and God was with them.
