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In this new addition to the BECNT series, respected New Testament scholar Robert Stein offers a substantive yet highly accessible commentary on the Gospel of Mark. The commentary focuses primarily on the Markan understanding of the Jesus traditions as reflected in this key New Testament book. For each section in Mark, the author analyzes how it fits the immediate and larger context of the Gospel; offers verse-by-verse comments on the words, phrases, sentences, and themes found in the section; and explores what Mark is seeking to teach.
As with all BECNT volumes, Mark features the author's detailed interaction with the Greek text. It combines academic sophistication with pastoral sensitivity and accessibility to serve as a useful tool for pastors, church leaders, students, and teachers.
As with all BECNT volumes, Mark features the author's detailed interaction with the Greek text. It combines academic sophistication with pastoral sensitivity and accessibility to serve as a useful tool for pastors, church leaders, students, and teachers.
848 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 26, 2021
In a word, this commentary was disappointing.
I have been studying Mark for years, and I have purchased about 7 or 8 critical commentaries on Mark. This commentary is okay, but comes in at the bottom of my list. As often as not, I find that he comes to conclusions which don't take into account significant elements of the text itself. I gave up on this one because it wasn't worth my time compared to the others listed below (all available on Amazon for Kindle):
• James Edwards does a fantastic job of closely observing the text and relating individual passages to the message of Mark as a whole in the similarly priced Pillar Commentary.
• Mark Strauss also does excellent exegetical work in the less expensive but quality Zondervan Exegetical Commentary.
• Ronald Kernaghan's IVP NT Commentary also offers profound insights, adheres closely to the text, and shows a powerful grasp of the book of Mark as a whole.
• Ben Witherington III's Socio-Rhetorical Commentary is also top-notch as with all his commentaries, offering even more cultural background than most commentators.
• The much older (1971) work of William L. Lane in the New International NT Commentary surprised me with his close attention to detail and ability to listen to the text itself.
I also recommend Eugene Boring and R.T. France's commentaries, though I haven't read enough to say too much more. What I have read has been quite helpful.
For a much simpler read and commentary that works well for the average person, look at Mark For Everyone. I found the "For Everyone" series to be fantastic, OT and NT alike.
I have been studying Mark for years, and I have purchased about 7 or 8 critical commentaries on Mark. This commentary is okay, but comes in at the bottom of my list. As often as not, I find that he comes to conclusions which don't take into account significant elements of the text itself. I gave up on this one because it wasn't worth my time compared to the others listed below (all available on Amazon for Kindle):
• James Edwards does a fantastic job of closely observing the text and relating individual passages to the message of Mark as a whole in the similarly priced Pillar Commentary.
• Mark Strauss also does excellent exegetical work in the less expensive but quality Zondervan Exegetical Commentary.
• Ronald Kernaghan's IVP NT Commentary also offers profound insights, adheres closely to the text, and shows a powerful grasp of the book of Mark as a whole.
• Ben Witherington III's Socio-Rhetorical Commentary is also top-notch as with all his commentaries, offering even more cultural background than most commentators.
• The much older (1971) work of William L. Lane in the New International NT Commentary surprised me with his close attention to detail and ability to listen to the text itself.
I also recommend Eugene Boring and R.T. France's commentaries, though I haven't read enough to say too much more. What I have read has been quite helpful.
For a much simpler read and commentary that works well for the average person, look at Mark For Everyone. I found the "For Everyone" series to be fantastic, OT and NT alike.
May 3, 2018
Still using as a reference - have not read in entirety.
2.5 stars so far after reading introduction only.
The introduction is ok without being particularly piercing. Wastes too much time on issues like date and authorship for my liking. I would love to see a discussion about the literary character, form, & functions of the gospel here - would have added a lot more depth. No focused discussion of the purpose of Mark is a big let-down.
2.5 stars so far after reading introduction only.
The introduction is ok without being particularly piercing. Wastes too much time on issues like date and authorship for my liking. I would love to see a discussion about the literary character, form, & functions of the gospel here - would have added a lot more depth. No focused discussion of the purpose of Mark is a big let-down.
June 2, 2018
Quite good
August 8, 2025
EXCELLENT commentary on the book of Mark. Great sermon writing material and personal growth material as well.
July 25, 2014
You can find my review here: http://wp [.] me/p3JhRp-cB
http://spoiledmilks [.] wordpress [.] com/2014/06/02/mark-becnt/
"Jesus is too great to be hidden" [pg. 25].
Robert Stein pursues Mark's purpose in this excellent edition in the ongoing BECNT series. The research is scholarly, up to date, and well thought out. The exposition is solid, deep, and readable. You may not agree with everything Stein says, but you'll have your hands full looking to disagree with him.
(-) Stein excels in textual criticism. He really knows his information. And in an academic commentary like this, what better place to get to talk about it? However, it often takes up a lot of the conversation. Stein shows the understanding of Jesus traditions by Mark and how they have been interpreted (correctly or incorrectly) by others. But it was pure monotony to see what Mark said, ask if he really said it, look at what other interpreters have said for/against the text, only to then conclude that Mark really said what he said.
What the BECNT series accomplishes well is showing the forest through the trees. Stein doesn't let us down, although the RC discussions can easily bog you down in their details.
(+) Stein shows how each section fits with the one before it, after it, and often times in the context as a whole. There is detailed interaction with the Greek, covers problematic verses, and shows many of the themes and the purpose of Mark's gospel. You will have a pretty good grasp on Mark and how each section flows to the next.
Recommended?
This commentary is definitely recommended. Stein's insights were especially helpful, and the size of this commentary certainly helped. This was my go-to commentary this semester, and I believe this commentary will help fill whatever purpose you have, whether pastoral, teacher/instructor, leading a Bible study, etc. (FYI, This commentary does end at 16.8).
[Special thanks to Trinity at Baker Academic for sending me this book for review! I was not obligated to provide a positive review in exchange for this book.]
http://spoiledmilks [.] wordpress [.] com/2014/06/02/mark-becnt/
"Jesus is too great to be hidden" [pg. 25].
Robert Stein pursues Mark's purpose in this excellent edition in the ongoing BECNT series. The research is scholarly, up to date, and well thought out. The exposition is solid, deep, and readable. You may not agree with everything Stein says, but you'll have your hands full looking to disagree with him.
(-) Stein excels in textual criticism. He really knows his information. And in an academic commentary like this, what better place to get to talk about it? However, it often takes up a lot of the conversation. Stein shows the understanding of Jesus traditions by Mark and how they have been interpreted (correctly or incorrectly) by others. But it was pure monotony to see what Mark said, ask if he really said it, look at what other interpreters have said for/against the text, only to then conclude that Mark really said what he said.
What the BECNT series accomplishes well is showing the forest through the trees. Stein doesn't let us down, although the RC discussions can easily bog you down in their details.
(+) Stein shows how each section fits with the one before it, after it, and often times in the context as a whole. There is detailed interaction with the Greek, covers problematic verses, and shows many of the themes and the purpose of Mark's gospel. You will have a pretty good grasp on Mark and how each section flows to the next.
Recommended?
This commentary is definitely recommended. Stein's insights were especially helpful, and the size of this commentary certainly helped. This was my go-to commentary this semester, and I believe this commentary will help fill whatever purpose you have, whether pastoral, teacher/instructor, leading a Bible study, etc. (FYI, This commentary does end at 16.8).
[Special thanks to Trinity at Baker Academic for sending me this book for review! I was not obligated to provide a positive review in exchange for this book.]
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews