Elijah Mark's Home 

The value of Elijah and Mary Mark’s home is that they brought Jesus in, literally and figuratively.

Elijah and Mary welcomed Jesus, his apostles and followers into their house. It became a second home, meeting place, sanctuary, and location of multiple key events in the ministry of Jesus. The apostles were mostly found in the Mark home from the time of the crucifixion to the outpouring of the promised Spirit of Truth at Pentecost.

Elijah and Mary welcomed Jesus in the way that they raised their family. Jesus told John Mark, their son, that he would become a “mighty messenger of the kingdom,” because of the way that his parents brought him up, and the family life that he enjoyed.

The Marks lived in Jerusalem, and although well-to-do, they utilized their wealth wisely, sending their children to the neighborhood schools, and helping others, especially committing themselves to the causes of Jesus. Their house had an upstairs with a large and commodious room ideal for gatherings. There was a long, U-shaped table, surrounded by thirteen reclining couches, just such as would be provided for the celebration of the Passover in a well-to-do Jewish household. The opening in the U shape made serving each person and washing of their feet easier for servants. The Marks also had an outdoor garden with a patio.

The son of Elijah and Mary Mark, John Mark, wished he was old enough to be an apostle and spent every chance he could with them (he was described as a young lad). Jesus had several personal talks with John and told him that his parents showed sagacity in raising their children, comparing their methods to his own parents. Jesus explained to John that he will prove loyal to the gospel since his faith and love were part of his early training, for he had parents that showed each other a sincere affection.

Jesus explained that his parents possessed wisdom and love; and it was wisdom which led them to withhold most forms of indulgence and many luxuries which wealth could buy while they sent their children to the synagogue school along with their neighborhood playfellows.

They also encouraged John to learn how to live in this world by permitting him to have original experience. When John came over to the Jordan River, where the apostles preached and John’s disciples baptized, along with his young friend Amos, both desired to go with Jesus. When John returned to Jerusalem, his parents consented; Amos’s parents refused. Wise parents, such as John’s, see to it that their children can develop independence and enjoy invigorating liberty when they have grown up to his age.

Jesus informed John that his whole afterlife will be happier and more dependable because he spent his first eight years in a normal and well-regulated home. He possessed a strong and well-knit character because he grew up in a home where love prevailed and wisdom reigned.

All these events brought the apostles and others to the Mark House:

The Last Supper

• The Mark family had a large upstairs chamber for Jesus to share his last supper with his apostles on Thursday evening, April 6, 30 CE.

Crucifixion

• After the death of the Master just before three o’clock on Friday, April 7, John sent the women to the home of Elijah Mark, where they tarried over the Sabbath day.

Resurrection Sunday

• Ten apostles spent the larger part of the day, April 9, in the upper chamber behind barred doors. When the five women witnessed the empty tomb, they hastened back to the city and to the home of Elijah Mark, where they told the ten apostles all that had happened to them. Mary Magdalene hurried back a second time to the Mark home and told the apostles she had again talked with Jesus.

First Appearance to the Apostles

• Jesus appeared to Simon Peter in the garden of the Mark home at half past eight o’clock on Sunday evening, April 9, 30 CE. That evening, after the departure of Cleopas and Jacob, as the ten apostles were assembled in the upper chamber with all the doors bolted for fear of arrest, the Master suddenly appeared in the midst of them.

Second Appearance to the Apostles

• As they thus sat at supper, and while the doors were securely shut and barred, the resurrected Master suddenly appeared inside the curvature of the table and, standing directly in front of Thomas, spoke to his disbelief.

Last Appearance

• As the eleven apostles were about to sit down to breakfast in the upper chamber of Mary Mark’s home, Jesus appeared to them early Thursday morning, May 18.

Meeting after the Ascension

• The leading disciples were called together at the home of Mary Mark. By ten thirty on the morning of May 18, one hundred and twenty of the foremost disciples of Jesus living in Jerusalem had gathered to hear the report of the farewell message of the Master and to learn of his ascension. Among this company was Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Pentecost

• About one o’clock on May 18, as one hundred and twenty believers were engaged in prayer, they all became aware of a strange presence in the upper room as Peter realized the Spirit of Truth had been bestowed which the Master had promised them. At the same time, these disciples all became conscious of a new and profound sense of spiritual joy, security, and confidence.