New Testament History

The martyrdom of Mark

Mark was bishop of Alexandria.[1] A.C.E. does not mention Mark at the reunion at the death of the Holy Virgin in August 54 AD. He died earlier. Mark was seized and tortured on the first day of the week, on the day of the Easter Festival, on 29 Barmudah, and on the feast of Serapis. He was imprisoned during the night, brought out of the prison in the morning, martyred, and buried on that same day, which was the last day of Barmudah (30 Barmudah),[2] the 8th day before the Calends of May, and 24 Nisan.[3] The liturgical feast of Mark is 25 April,[4] which date corresponds to 30 Barmudah in the calendar of Alexandria.[5] Mark died and was buried on Sunday 25 March after sunrise (after which the Egyptian day of 30 Barmudah began).[6] He was seized on the evening of Saturday 24 April, at which time the first day of the week and the Easter Festival began (at sunset, with the Easter Vigil).[7] The 8th day before the Calends of May is 24 April.[8] In the year 51 AD, Saturday 24 April coincided with 24 Nisan (Reingold and Dershowitz, and Parker and Dubberstein; the New Moon occurred on Tuesday 30 March at 18:32 UT).[9] Mark was martyred in that year. At the close of 24 Nisan, still on Saturday 24 April (which date lasted until the midnight of Saturday/Sunday), Mark was seized. Tradition connected his death rather than his arrest with 24 April and 24 Nisan.[10]