John Mark is named in the Acts of the Apostles as an assistant accompanying Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys. Traditionally he is regarded as identical with Mark the Evangelist.

Biblical account

Several times the Acts of the Apostles mentions a certain "John, who was also called Mark" or simply "John":

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, bringing with them John whose other name was Mark.

When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.

Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem; but they passed on from Perga and came to Antioch of Pisidia.

And Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

John Mark (16 August 1925 – 8 December 1991) was a British athlete, best known for lighting the Olympic flame at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.

Biography

John Mark was educated at Cranleigh School where he excelled at athletics, and won a place to study at the University of Cambridge. Whilst at Cambridge he was a noted athlete and rugby forward, though missed out on achieving his Blue due to injury. He served as President of the Cambridge University Athletic Club.

In 1947 Mark finished fourth in the AAA 440 yards and was selected to represent the United Kingdom in the 400 metres in Paris. He also won two AAA silver medals in the relay.

In late 1947, he was already on the British shortlist for selection for the 400 metres at the forthcoming London Olympics, when his Olympian good looks led to his being chosen to light the Olympic flame at the opening of the games. Thus on 29 July 1948 he carried the heavy Olympic torch on the final leg of its journey into Wembley Stadium and lit the flame in its specially-designed bowl.

John Mark, a character in the Bible.

John Mark may also refer to:

See also