Where was the Gospel of Mark written?

• A. Antioch
• B. Alexandria
• C. Rome
• D. Jerusalem

Answer: (C)

Rome is where Mark’s gospel is traditionally understood to have been written. This conclusion rests on early Christian testimony that Mark recorded what Peter preached while they were in Rome, with Papias noted by later historians as confirming this connection. Irenaeus and Eusebius preserve that line of tradition as well. In terms of the text itself, it reads with a sense of urgency and a focus on action that seems tailored to a Roman audience, including scenes involving Roman officials and the broader Gentile world, rather than being centered on Jerusalem alone. While some scholars have suggested other locations like Antioch or Alexandria, the strongest case comes from these early testimonies and the thematic fit with a Roman audience.