Biblical Streets: Mark deh a Heaven and upset yah now

The influence of the Christian culture on Kingston is not confined to the many churches that adorn the well-laid-out capital.

In fact, many of the streets in the nation's chief town bear the name of disciples of Jesus Christ. This week, THE STAR continues its series on these 'biblical streets.'

"He would be pleased because we are not a violent set anymore. Him probably would a just vex say no bag a church no 'round here and that everybody a no Christian, but we heart good round here," Travis Brown said of how he thinks Mark, one of Jesus' disciples, would view his community.

In his mid-20s, Brown has been living in the Mark Lane area for most of life. He stated that the west Kingston community was not always a bed of roses and was frequently involved in gang wars with neighbouring areas.

He said most of the gunslingers are either dead or behind bars.

"We no have the best a everything, but it feel good when a man can walk the road and nah look back a him. One time all duppy use to 'fraid, and as bad as Mark the disciple was, me sure him wouldn't trod round ya," he said.

Another resident, who gave her name as Cindy, shared similar sentiments, but added that she was uncertain that Mark, the follower of Jesus Christ, would be pleased with the current state of Mark Lane.

"Dem man deh ting did clean and a palace setting dem did go, because no a some 'genna' use to par with Christ, and them man deh use to ensure say dem people alright. A bare broken-down house 'round here and no opportunity fi di yute dem', and me sure Mark deh a Heaven and upset ya now," she said.

Mark was much younger than the other New Testament writers. His mother was a prominent follower of Jesus Christ.

After the resurrection, as Christ's message was beginning to spread, Mark travelled with the Apostle Paul.

He then accompanied Peter to Rome and stayed by him while he was in prison. Mark is known as Peter's interpreter, both in speech and in writing.