Peter, Paul, Mark, and Rome

In 2nd Timothy in the New Testament, we find Paul’s final known recorded letter. It was written while he was under house arrest in Rome for two years before his death. Why was he given this time before he was executed? It is known that during that time period, Roman citizens sentenced to be executed were granted a period of time in which to set their affairs in order. As Paul was a Roman citizen, it is very plausible that he was granted this same opportunity by right.

In this letter, he requests that Timothy come to Rome to see him as swiftly as possible. He also requests that Timothy bring Mark with him, as he feels him to be a profitable servant of the Lord. This, then, establishes for close readers a connection between Paul, Mark, and Rome. All three came into contact in the time preceding Paul’s death.

In this same epistle, Paul also requests that Timothy bring the “books.” Greek translation tells us this could refer to “notebooks,” possibly referencing the records Paul kept through his ministry. These records would have included things such as copies of the epistles he had sent and received. Mark then would have had access to Paul’s account of Christ, as well as the accounts he received from others. Through my reading of the New Testament, I have found Mark had many sources to draw from when he wrote his account of the Savior’s life. It is also of little wonder to me that his is thought to have been the first account.

Mark, Rome, and obviously Paul also have a direct connection to Peter. From Peter’s epistle in 1st and 2nd Peter, we learn that Peter was in Babylon. This is of course used as a euphemism for corrupt societies. Peter is using the term as code to refer to Rome. We also learn that Mark is there in Rome with Peter. Textual clues indicate that Mark was Peter’s executive secretary and so would have written down this epistle for Peter. Mark ends up writing the Gospel of Mark at about the time of Peter’s death. Mark served alongside both Peter and Paul through the course of their ministries.