From the New Testament we learn that he was sister’s son to Barnabas Col 4:10; and that his mother’s name was Mary, a pious woman in Jerusalem, at whose house the apostles and primitive Christians often assembled, Act 12:12.

His Hebrew name was John Act 12:12, and it is probable that he adopted a name better known or more familiar when he visited the Gentiles, a practice not uncommon in that age. He was at first the companion of Paul and Barnabas in their journeys to propagate Christianity, Act 12:25; Act 13:5; Act 15:37. He chose not to attend them through their whole journey, but left them in Pamphylia, and probably returned to Jerusalem, Act 15:38. Probably at this time he was the companion of Peter, and traveled with him to Babylon, 1Pe 5:13. Afterward he went with Barnabas to Cyprus, Act 15:39. Subsequently he went to Rome, at the express desire of Paul, in company with Timothy, 2Ti 4:11. He remained at Rome while Paul was a captive there, but how long is uncertain, Col 4:10; Phm 1:24. From Eusebius, Epiphanius, and Jerome we hear that Mark went from Rome to Alexandria, in Egypt, where he planted a church, and died in the eighth year of the reign of Nero, 64 ad