Mark (Harper's Library of Spiritual Wisdom)

This insightful commentary, which first appeared some years ago in the Good News Commentary series, is now recast in the NIV and a clear new format for greater accessibility. Hurtado displays an uncommon appreciation for the entire Gospel of Mark and its original audience, making their concerns understandable to modern readers. He masterfully highlights Marks unique emphases, such as the messianic secrecy and the portrayal of the seemingly obtuse disciples who become an object lesson. Both Bible students and scholars will find this commentary engaging.

Expert help for understanding the Bible

Each volume in the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series breaks down the barriers between the ancient and modern worlds so that the power and meaning of the biblical texts become transparent to contemporary readers. They present a careful section-by-section exposition of the biblical books with key terms and phrases highlighted and all Greek transliterated. Notes at the close of each chapter provide additional textual and technical comments for those who want to dig deeper. A bibliography as well as Scripture and subject indexes are also included. Pastors, students, and Bible teachers will find in this series a commitment to accessibility without sacrificing serious scholarship.

This volume transports modern readers back to the days of Mark's original audience and helps us to understand and apply his unique writing and challenges to the church. Very possibly the oldest written account of the ministry of Jesus that we possess, the Gospel of Mark is a vivid and fast-paced narrative of the Good News about Jesus.

Larry W. Hurtado is professor of New Testament language, literature, and theology at the University of Edinburgh. He is the founding director of the Centre for the Study of Christian Origins in the University of Edinburgh. He has published influential studies in New Testament textual criticism, early Christian worship, the importance of early Christian manuscripts as artifacts, and the Gospel of Mark.