Scripture commentator George Martin leaves no stone uncovered in his fascinating exploration of the Gospel of Mark. His verse-by-verse explanations are easy to understand and always begin and end with the premise that God has something to say to his people through his word. The book features interesting details relating to the history, geography, and culture of Palestine, along with definitions of the root meaning of words used by Mark and references to parallel passages in the Old and New Testaments. Reflection questions provide plenty of opportunity for going deeper with God in prayer. This commentary is sound and well-researched, but not overly academic, so it allows readers to study the Scriptures and pray through them at the same time. (Formerly published as The Gospel According to Mark: Meaning and Message.)
The two disciples who walked with the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus exclaimed afterward, "Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32).
We too would like the Scriptures opened to us so that we could understand their meaning, their significance, their message. No book can duplicate what Jesus did for the two disciples on the road to Emmaus or replace the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But a book can explore what meaning the words of Scripture had for their first readers and what message an inspired author conveys by his words. The aim of this book is bring the Gospel of Mark to life for its readers. This can be understood in two ways. The words of the Gospel come to life for us when, as twentyfirst century Christians, we gain insight into their original first-century meaning and context. Then, as followers of the risen Jesus, we can be inspired to apply that gospel message to our lives today.
While this book has some features of a commentary, it is not a scholarly commentary. Many issues and questions that are of legitimate interest to scholars are passed over. The focus of this book is on what Mark's words meant when he wrote them, with an eye toward their meaning for readers today. This book is intended for men and women who want to read and understand Mark's Gospel as Scripture, as God's word conveyed in human words.
Reading a Gospel as Scripture is like having a conversation. Conversing requires listening. Good listening means paying close attention to what another person is saying; it can also mean noting what is implied and what may be left unsaid. This book will closely examine the text of Mark's Gospel, sometimes commenting on the meaning of the words the author uses, sometimes drawing out an implication, . . .
