8. _Date of St. Mark:_ "The Gospel was, according to Iraneaus, composed by Mark after the death of Peter and Paul. It was probably written after the year 62, when Mary appears only as a relative of Barnabas (see Col. iv: 10), and before the destruction of Jerusalem, and is alleged to have been written in Rome. The language, however, in which it was written was Greek, and not Latin, as some have supposed." (Bagster Bible Helps, p. 61.) 9. _Literary Character of St. Mark:_ "The presence in this Gospel of Latin terms and also of Aramaic words, which are translated into Greek, points to a Gentile circle of readers, probably in Rome, as is generally held. It exhibits Christ in his power, as a worker of miracles, producing amazement and fear.. The discourses are reported very briefly; events are noted in their exact sequence; many vivid details of gesture and action are introduced. All these peculiarities suggest that an eye-witness was the source of information. From the days of Papias it has been believed that St. Peter was this source, and internal phenomena favor this view. No direct supervision by that Apostle can be affirmed, though Eusebius asserts, on the authority of Clement of Alexandria, that it was submitted to him for approval. This Gospel contains few passages (two miracles, one parable, and the story of the young man near Gethsemane) peculiar to itself, but many details are mentioned which are not found elsewhere. Our Lord's gestures are noted; prominence is given to his power over evil spirits; the withdrawals are more frequently indicated. The style is vivacious; the present tense is often used in narrative; the word "straight way" (variously rendered in the authorized version) occurs more than forty times. This Gospel could not have been an abridgement of that of St. Matthew, since it bears all the marks of originality." (Bible Treasury, p. 125.) 10. _Book of St. Luke:_ "Luke was probably of Gentile extraction (Col. iv: 10-14), born at Antioch, and a faithful colleague of Paul. His superior education is proved by the philological excellence of his writings (viz. the Gospel and Acts of Apostles, which are but two volumes of one work). His preface, in pure Greek, implies previous careful study of documentary and other evidence. He speaks of 'other attempts' to write a Life of Christ, which were unsatisfactory. Though it is the same Gospel, it is narrated with peculiar independence, containing additional matter, more accuracy in preserving the chronological order of events, and complying with the requirements of history. He tested tradition by documentary records (e. g., i: 5; ii: 2; iii: 1); by comparing the oral testimony of living witnesses (i: 2, 3); and only when he had 'perfect understanding of all things from the very first,' ventured to compile a 'Life of Christ' as a perfect man, restoring human nature, and offering himself a sacrifice for all mankind." (Oxford Helps, p. 26.)