The Gospel of Mark (New International Greek Testament Commentary) [Hardcover]

R. T. France (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 2002 | Series: New International Greek Testament Commentary

Drawing on many years of Marcan studies, world-class scholar R. T. France has produced an exegetical commentary on the Greek text of Mark that does what the best of recent Greek commentaries have done but in France's own inimitable, reader-friendly way.

This work is a commentary on Mark itself, not a commentary on commentaries of Mark. It deals immediately and directly with matters that France himself regards as important. Working from his own translation of the Greek text and culling from helpful research into the world of first-century Palestine, France provides an extensive introduction to Mark's Gospel, followed by insightful section and verse commentary.

France sees the structure of Mark's Gospel as an effective "drama in three acts." Act 1 takes up Jesus' public ministry in Galilee. Act 2 covers Jesus' journey to Jerusalem with his disciples. Act 3 focuses on Jesus' public ministry in Jerusalem, including his confrontation with the Jewish leaders, his explanatory discourse on the future, and his passion, death, and resurrection. France carefully unpacks for modern readers the two central themes of this powerful narrative of Jesus' life -- the nature of Christ and the role of discipleship.

Supported by careful argumentation and impressive in its sensitivity to Mark's structure, context, and use of the Old Testament, France's study of the second Gospel is without peer.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 757 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (February 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802824463
• ISBN-13: 978-0802824462
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.8 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #256,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Commentary on Mark March 10, 2007

By Brian G Hedges

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an excellent commentary, one of the best, in fact, I've ever seen, and definitely THE best on the Gospel of Mark (out of the eighteen or twenty that I'm regularly dipping into). It is a commentary on the Greek text, and the Greek is not transliterated or translated, but it is still amazingly readable, lucid, and engaging. France's introduction to the Gospel of Mark is the best intro I've read, and alone worth the price of the book. He views Mark's gospel as a narrative - a drama in three acts; yet he resists imposing superficial structures on the book. He writes with a desire to hear Mark's text afresh, and tends to focus in his comments on the unfolding theological narrative itself. Yet he is obviously well-read and conversant with both the primary ancient documents themselves and the relevant literature on Mark (commentaries, monographs, essays in journals, etc.) and engages them frequently when helpful. His theology is generally conservative, with a high Christology. He is cautious with overly novel interpretations. He articulates a partial-preterist position on Mark 13. France would probably be a bit too technical for the purposes of a lay-person, but preachers can hardly afford to be without him. I would recommend reading him along side the commentaries by James Edwards (Pillar), William Lane (NICNT), and David Garland (NIVAC). Excellent!

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A model of tempered scholarship April 24, 2006

By John Nordin

Format:Hardcover

The NIGTC series positions itself as intending to be somewhat conservative, to deal in detail with the Greek text as well as to focus on the theology of the book. France is in that mold. He considers Mark as a storyteller, even as a "raconteur." Thus he is doing very much a literary critical approach to the text. There isn't much here on history of interpretation, form criticism, etc. He focuses on Mark as Mark, not as a defective first draft of a gospel.

A couple of examples. He take the two-stage healing in 8:22-26 as a bridge passage, linking both what came before and what followed and sees this unique story as referencing the disciples inability to clearly "see" who Jesus is. In discussing the ending he takes the view that 16:8 isn't likely to be the real end of the text. While ending at 16:8 excites us moderns due to its existential, open, daring character, he thinks it very unlikely that Mark or his culture would see it that way. He thinks the real ending has likely been lost and 16:9-20 was written later to replace what was lost. While he defends what is a minority view, his discussion of the topic is sober, presents other points of view fairly and he definitely has reasons for his view.

That is typical of the entire commentary. Albert Lukaszewki in a review for SBL called the book a "model of tempered scholarship." I agree. Even if you disagree with a specific conclusion, you will find much to appreciate in his careful, reasonable, and intellectually honest presentation.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply outstanding...but you need to know a little greek December 16, 2004

By Richard Smith

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have begun to learn Greek and decided to test the waters with this volume on Mark. What I found was one of the most outstanding commentaries I have ever read. This book is incredibly well organized, well written, thoughtful and thought provoking as well. France writes with an easy lucid style that is as entertaining as it is informative. This book will give you a great insight into the life of Christ as well the gospel of Mark. France does not deal with other synoptics very often, but sticks to the story as told by Mark. I highly reccommend this volume especially if you are beginning to study the gospels.

As far as the greek goes, you need a good command of the alphabet and pronunciation. It would help to understand verb forms and tenses, but you can get by without that knowledge. I read the commentary with an indexed Greek new testament and I had no problems following the text. Actually, I felt like I was reaching closer into Mark's mind, and also in a way into that of Jesus, by reading and studying the Greek.