, John is dated not earlier than 69 C.E., and often as late as 90 C.E. (Henry, 1089).
Secondly, the Gospel of Mark bears the unmistakable personality of Peter "on almost every page. Like him it is quick in movement, active, impulsive" (Earle, 1025). Indeed, the Gospel concludes, following the Ascension, with the statement: "And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions . . ." (Mark 16:21, NASB; others, 16:8). Despite being the shortest of the Gospels, it presents vivid details of the activity of Jesus which are not repeated in either Matthew or Luke--the two other "Synoptic" Gospels--and which are highly indicative of a first-hand, inner-circle, biographical recitation, something highly probable if, indeed, Peter is the major source of Mark's narrative.
According to Earle, Mark concentrates on the activity of Jesus rather than his words: "(He) records eighteen of the miracles of Jesus, but only four of His parables" (1026). If Mark writes at Rome, for a primarily Roman audience, the more frequent "Latinisms" and fewer references to the Hebrew Scriptures is more easily explained.
The Gospel of John is one of God revealed. Indeed, the stated purpose of the Gospel concludes the twentieth chapter: "Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that belie
...