While Matthew was penning his gospel for the Jews, Mark was preparing
his, chiefly for the converts among the Gentiles. This Mark was not
an apostle and had not been an eye-witness to the life and deeds of
our Lord. But he was a native of Jerusalem and an intimate friend of
the apostles. He accompanied Paul on some of his journeys and attended
Peter for a considerable period, and during this time he no doubt wrote
the gospel that bears his name, according to the dictates of Peter.
Some have called this the "Gospel According to St. Peter," and Peter
himself, in his second epistle, refers, perhaps, to this gospel when he
says: "We make known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ."