Mark
Mark was the traveling companion of both Paul and Peter, and wrote this Gospel from the Roman perspective. He was a seasoned veteran of the Christian walk, well versed in apostolic teaching, and had extensive missionary experience under wise guides. He was the cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10) and participated in early stages of Paul's first missionary journey. For some reason he did not finish the journey, but went back to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Later on, Paul would not have Mark on his mission team because of this desertion (Acts 15:38). Yet in later years he and Paul were reconciled (Col 4:10; Philem 24). Paul regarded him as one of the few who were faithful to his ministry to the end (2 Tim 4:11). There is good evidence that this gospel reflects Peter's contributions, and that they had close ties (1 Pet 5:13). Tradition holds that Mark wrote primarily for a largely Gentile audience resident in Rome, as he seeks to encourage them to follow and keep following Jesus Christ.