The Gospel According to Mark

by Edwards, James R., Jr.

• ISBN13: 9780802837349
• ISBN10: 0802837344
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-11-08
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co

Summary

This new Pillar volume offers exceptional commentary on Mark that clearly shows the second Gospel -- though it was a product of the earliest Christian community -- to be both relevant and sorely needed in today's church.

Written by a biblical scholar who has devoted thirty years to the study of the second Gospel, this commentary aims primarily to interpret the Gosepl of Mark according to its theological intentions and purposes, especially as they relate to the life and ministry of Jesus and the call to faith and discipleship. Unique features of James Edwards's approach include clear descriptions of key terms used by Mark and revealing discussion of the Gospel's literary features, including Marks use of the "sandwich" technique and of imagistic motifs and irony. Edwards also proposes a new paradigm for interpreting the difficult "Little Apocalypse" of chapter 13, and he argues for a new understanding of Mark's controversial ending.

Author Biography

James R. Edwards is professor of religion at Whitworth College, Spokane, Washington. He has written numerous articles in scholarly and popular journals and is a contributing editor of Christianity Today

Table of Contents

Series Preface	x
Author's Preface	xii
Abbreviations	xv
Frequently Cited Works	xxv
Introduction	1	(1)
History of the Interpretation of Mark	1	(2)
Authorship and Place of Composition	3	(3)
Date	6	(4)
Historical Context	10	(1)
Distinctive Literary Characteristics	10	(2)
Style	10	(1)
Sandwich Technique	11	(1)
Irony	12	(1)
Jesus in the Gospel of Mark	12	(4)
The Authority of Jesus	13	(1)
Servant of the Lord	14	(1)
Son of God	15	(1)
Distinctive Themes	16	(4)
Discipleship	16	(1)
Faith	17	(1)
Insiders and Outsiders	17	(1)
Gentiles	18	(1)
Command to Silence	18	(1)
Journey	19	(1)
Narrative Structure	20	(3)
COMMENTARY ON MARK	23	(490)
The Gospel Appears in Person (1:1-13)	23	(20)
Beginnings of the Galilean Ministry (1:14-45)	43	(30)
Excursus: The Secrecy Motif and Jesus' Messianic Self-Consciousness (1:34)	63	(10)
Trouble With the Authorities (2:1-3:12)	73	(37)
Excursus: Son of Man (2:12)	79	(26)
Excursus: Divine Man (3:12)	105	(5)
Insiders and Outsiders (3:13-4:34)	110	(37)
``'Who Then is This?''' (4:35-6:6a)	147	(29)
Witness to Jews (6:6b-7:23)	176	(39)
Witness to Gentiles (7:24-8:9)	215	(18)
Removing the Veil (8:10-9:29)	233	(49)
Excursus: Christ (8:31)	249	(20)
Excursus: How Should the Transfiguration Be Understood? (9:8)	269	(13)
Mere Discipleship (9:30-50)	282	(15)
``On the Way'' Through Judea (10:1-52)	297	(35)
The Barren Temple (11:1-26)	332	(17)
Jesus and the Sanhedrin (11:27-12:44)	349	(34)
Watchfulness in Tribulation and Triumph (13:1-37)	383	(27)
The Abandonment of Jesus (14:1-72)	410	(43)
Excursus: Women in the Gospel of Mark (14:9)	417	(36)
The Cross and the Empty Tomb (15:1-16:8)	453	(44)
Excursus: Pontius Pilate (15:1)	454	(27)
Excursus: The Son of God (15:39)	481	(16)
The Longer Ending of Mark (16:9-20)	497	(16)
Appendix: The Secret Gospel of Mark	509	(4)
INDEXES	513	(31)
Modern Authors	513	(6)
Subjects	519	(2)
Scripture References	521	(23)
Extrabiblical Literature	544