Day 1128: Whose other name was Mark – Acts 12 vs 11 - 25

11-13 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 14 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16-17 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

18-19 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there. 20-21 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22-23 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. 24-25 But the word of God increased and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark. Acts 12:11-25 English Standard Version

Luke introduces us to another man who was influential in the early Church, named John, 'whose other name was Mark'. He was the son of a woman named Mary, and from Colossians 4:10 we learn that he was a cousin of Barnabas. “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions — if he comes to you, welcome him)” (Colossians 4:10) He must have witnessed the almost funny scene of Peter arriving at his mother's house, and being kept waiting after Rhoda forget to let him in! The mention of the servant girl's name is another example of Luke's attention to detail. The disciples had been praying earnestly for Peter, but did not realize how their prayers would be so quickly answered. What a lesson for the Church today!

Peter tells them of his miraculous escape from prison, and departs for a safer region. Miracles don't mean that Christians should not use common sense. Herod had put a price on the heads of the apostles and it was wise for them to be cautious. Verses 18-23 tell us what Herod's final outcome was. Having executed Peter's guards, there came a day when he delivered an oration which was enthusiastically applauded by the crowd. But because of his vanity, he was immediately struck down by an angel of the Lord. Romans 12:19 says: “Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay', says the Lord.”

Acts 11 ended by telling how the disciples at Antioch had determined to send relief to the brothers living in Judea, and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. We read today that Barnabas and Saul completed this task, and now returned to Antioch, taking with them John, whose other name was Mark. Meanwhile, the word of God increased and multiplied. Herod passes out of the narative, but for John Mark there was a future. There's always a future for those who belong to Christ.