Μάρκος (Markos)
Markos
Mark
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Markos, rendered as Mark in English, appears eight times in the New Testament, primarily within the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline epistles. It identifies a specific individual known by his Latin surname, while his Jewish name was John. The lexicon notes that this person was the cousin of Barnabas and served as a companion to Paul during parts of his missionary journeys.
Scripture records him at key moments in early church history, including his presence with Peter in Babylon (1 Peter 5:13) and his role in the events surrounding Jerusalem’s destruction (Acts 12:12). Although he is not named as the author of a gospel within these specific verses, tradition and the weight of his association with both Peter and Paul have long linked him to the second canonical gospel. The name itself derives from Latin, meaning "a defense" or related to Mars, reflecting its Roman origin in a predominantly Jewish context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mark appears eight times in the New Testament, identifying a man whose life was deeply woven into the fabric of the early church. He was the cousin of Barnabas and served as a companion to both Paul and Peter during their missionary journeys. His story is not one of perfection but of growth, showing how God uses imperfect people for faithful service.
Scripture records moments where Mark’s reliability was questioned, yet it also highlights his eventual usefulness to Paul, who wrote in 2 Timothy that Mark was helpful for ministry. This progression from a young assistant to a trusted co-worker reminds us that our past failures do not define our future potential in God’s eyes.
For your faith, this name offers encouragement that community is essential to spiritual maturity. Mark’s life shows how relationships with mentors like Barnabas and Paul can shape a believer’s character. It invites you to trust that God can redeem even difficult seasons of service, turning them into opportunities for lasting impact within the body of Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Mark4×
- [as do] Mark,1×
- Mark;1×
- Mark.1×
- Mark,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Μᾶρκος2×
- Μᾶρκον2×
- Μᾶρκος,1×
- Μᾶρκον·1×
- Μᾶρκον.¶1×
- Μάρκου,1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
Paul explicitly calls Mark useful for ministry here, showing a restored relationship and confirming his growth from earlier failures.
-
Acts 12:12
Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
This verse identifies the home of Mary, mother of John called Mark, as a central place of prayer and gathering for the early church.
-
Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”),
Paul instructs the Colossians to receive Mark warmly, highlighting Barnabas’s cousin and his importance in Paul’s circle.
-
Acts 15:39
Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
This passage marks a turning point where Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus after a sharp disagreement with Paul over taking him along.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is John called Mark in the Bible?
Why did Paul and Barnabas separate over Mark?
Is Mark the author of the Gospel of Mark?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 5 books)
Acts 4 verses
Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered…
Acts 12:25Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John who was…
Acts 15:37Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.
Acts 15:39Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to…