Shbc Bible Commentary: Mark (Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary Series)

Mark has been at the center of debate about the nature of the Gospels and their relationships to one another. The history of Markan scholarship therefore offers a good overview of basic issues in the study of the Gospels. It also provides an orientation to different perspectives on the basic introductory questions: who wrote the Gospel, when, where, and why? Mark highlights Markan themes and makes numerous cross-references between related passages. The Gospel, moreover, remains one of the pillars of the Christian faith and tradition, one that is endlessly fascinating, inspiring, and pivotal for our understanding of Jesus.
-Publisher.

Publisher Description

This is a large book in many respects. It is large in conception -- it includes a large fund of relevant material drawn from ancient primary sources as well as more modern secondary sources. It is large in scope -- it covers the message of Mark from its meaning in its own time to the way modern interpreters can go about making that message their own. It is large in execution -- it begins with an introduction that is an excellent survey of Markan scholarship, and contains a multitude of side-bars that provide helpful cultural, geographic, and theological information. It is, in sum, an excellent commentary on the first Gospel that will richly reward the careful reader: preacher, scholar, and student alike.
??-- Paul J. Achtemeier
?Union Theological Seminary and?Presbyterian School of Christian Education

When it comes to literary or narratological analysis of the Gospels, Alan Culpepper has few peers and no masters. Here in his Gospel of Mark commentary we find the ripe fruit of that sort of literary reading of a Gospel. Eloquently written, fully in touch with the latest scholarship on Mark, and unfailingly fair to various points of view, Professor Culpepper is a sure guide through the complexities of our earliest Gospel.??The usual helpful sidebars and supplementary resources on the CD-ROM also help make this a very helpful tool for pastors and teachers who want accessible and useable material for their teaching and sermonic preparation. Highly recommended.
?-- Ben Witherington, III?Asbury Theological Seminary

Alan Culpepper's commentary on Mark is creative, innovative, and user-friendly. In short, it is outstanding. It belongs in the library of every pastor, student, and scholar. I recommend it highly.
?-- Craig A. Evans?Acadia Divinity College

Alan Culpepper's offering on Mark is a major contribution to the estimable Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary. Here we benefit from the author's recognized gifts as biblical exegete: literary creativity and theological insight, appreciation of Scripture's historical grounding and history of interpretation, admirable clarity and level-headedness. The book's abundant maps, photographs, charts, and illustrations add elegance while fulfilling this series' promise of an intelligent user-friendliness. Upon publication Culpepper's Mark should rise to the highest rank of serious biblical commentaries for the widest audience imaginable. I applaud its achievement.
?-- C. Clifton Black?Princeton Theological Seminary?