Customer Reviews

Mark for Everyone

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4 star:		(3)
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Tom Wright has scored perfect on his interpretation of Mark's gospel. He follows the thought from beginning to the end and does so with no anachronistic readings of the text. I know this was meant to be a commentary for everyone to read, but Wright has actually crafted something that deserves to be looked at by scholars as well as everyone. The anecdotes found throughout the series are excellent and help draw the reader into the discussion and meaning of the text of Mark.

The glossary at the end is helpful and also very helpful and refreshing is Wright's translation of the text itself. As a pastor I would recomment Wright's Everyone series about every other commentary series on the market. His writing style is lucid, clear, and engaging.

Wright recognizes the metanarrative and expectations of the Jewish world of the first century and correctly sees the actions of Jesus as being the reconstitution of Israel in the son of David who is Israel's true representative. His interpretation of the Temple shows that Jesus did not come to simply cleanse the Temple, but to declare it bankrupt and to announce its coming destruction. Wright handles well OT allusions and quotations, picking up on a quotes entire context and avoids assuming that Mark glossed over or handled glibbly his quotes without picking up on the overall story that Jesus himself is bringing to fulfillment. One such example is Mark 13, which speaks of the coming of the Son of Man. Wright maintains that this allusion to Daniel 7 shows the Son of Man coming to the ancient of days and therefore when used by Jesus is more a reference to the ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father and not to the second coming of Jesus from Heaven back to earth. If you only buy one commentary out of the Everyone Series you cannot go wrong with Mark.

This is a book which should find wide appeal. Tom Wright gives us a highly readable and quite enjoyable introduction to the gospel of Mark, informed by both his deep New Testament scholarship and his wide pastoral experience and perspective. This is Mark, truly for everyone. While there won't be much here that is new for those well-acquainted with current NT research, Wright plainly illuminates Mark's themes and places them properly in the context of the times. Wright's own translations of the original text are clear and contemporary to the right degree. For his intended audience - the general educated reader - Wright is on target. This would be a good pick for a teen or adult NT study group. Read it, and your faith will be even better secured on a firm foundation of understanding. Wright knows how to go after the very core, the kernel, of faith.

Reading it, it is easy to hear Tom Wright's baritone voice in his adept prose; he is so effortless to read that it is easy to overlook how good a writer he in fact is. The medium is properly transparent and subordinate to the message.

This series reminds me of the one authored years ago by William Barclay; each author has his own strengths and appeal and both could be read with profit by the Christian wishing to better understand the New Testament. If I had to recommend just one, it would be Wright, without question. But that would be to ignore the often top-notch pastoral sermon aspects - albeit old-fashioned- of Barclay's writings.

Tom Wright has done exactly what is needed: given us a look at the gospels that is both deep and accessible. This book is easy to read, quite thought-provoking, and informed by both scholarship and faith. Wright knows and uses the latest academic information, but in a delightful manner.
By far the best thing of its kind.

Tom or N.T. Wright captures the shocking and revolutionary nature of the Gospel in his translation and commentary on Mark. Following Christ is signing up to be subversive of so much that is taken for granted by the world then and now: might is power, always take care of No. 1. Wright takes the Gospel at face value, puts it in the Old Testament context, and gives us the flavor of how astonishing and riveting hearing Jesus in Palestine must have been. He captures the excitement that is still relevant today without compromising on scholarship. This is a great book for Bible study groups. As a Catholic, I would give only one caveat, namely, that Wright does not present the inherent ambiguity of references to Jesus' "brothers and sisters" in a Semitic context--but that is a relatively minor point and Wright is not seeking to attack Catholic belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary (see pp. 67-68). That's pretty good coming from an evangelical Protestant scholar. With that sole caveat in mind for Catholics, buy the book!

This guide really does what it sets out to do: Make the gospel accessible to all. Wright's prose is easily read and his analogies move the Word into a modern context. At the same time, he correctly points out that Mark was recording what was occuring before a first century audience. As such, it is just as important to be aware of their perspective.

This book has proven to be a briliant study guide for our men's group and church community. I recommend you start here and move on to other works as your community sees fit.

This book was tailor-made for a bible study group. I used it in law school for an inter-denominational group that included Catholics, Baptists, LDS and various other protestants. We all got a lot out of it. The book is divided by short passages from Mark interspersed with longer commentary (usually 2-3 pages) from Tom Wright. I can sincerely say this helped me on my faith journey and deepened my knowledge of Jesus and the New Testament, particularly the Gospel of Mark. For beginner and intermediate-level bible students, I highly recommend it for group-study.

Just to give you a few of my credentials, which are not many. I have a Bachelor's Degree in ministries. I am almost finished with my master's degree in theology at Liberty University. I have been involved in the ministry for many years. I also own many complete series of commentaries. If there is a series I try to own it in book form, including "Adam Clarke Commentary," "Beacon Bible Commentary," "The Daily Study Bible Series," and others.

The book is very conversational and really easy to read. Matter-of-fact, almost too easy. A young child could read this and understand it for the most part. It gives many down-to-earth illustrations that are up to date. To really grasp my meaning it would be beneficial to read as long of a section before buying. This will really illuminate what I am trying to tell you. The only downfall is there it does seem to stray away from theology and the harder issues. The major strength, due to the readability, would have to be the ability for the reader to grasp the basics of what the scripture means, for the most part. These books are almost perfect for "the average Joe" and for those people I would probably rate it a 4 to 4.5 star rating. The lower rating is because of the lack of theology and avoidance of the hard issues. This book would be a great resource for the average Joe who wants to delve more into the scriptures, Sunday School teachers, laymen and women, or anyone without a theology degree.

For the theologian, that wants to really delve more into the scriptures and study word meanings, theology, or anything in depth, this is probably not the book or books for you. There are some great illustrations that one might be able to use at the pulpit, though. For the pastor, or anyone who has went to seminary, this is probably not the set of books that you want to invest the money to buy. However, it would not be bad if you get asked a lot of times to let someone borrow a book this might be good to purchase for that purpose. If you fall into this category I would have to give this a rating of about 1.5 of 5 stars.

For those unfamiliar with Wright's "______ for Everyone" series, they are a series of commentaries on the New Testament books by Bishop Wright based on his extensive historical scholarship. He provides his own translation (based on his extensive knowledge and study of the source languages) which is a very engaging paraphrase. The text of Mark is divided up into chronological topic-based segments, followed by a 2-3 page sermonette/commentary based on that section. I found it very interesting and learned some new insights (such as the inner meaning of John/James' request to "sit and your right and left when you come into your glory" and Jesus' response that this was not his to grant (Wright says this is a reference to the two bandits crucified with Jesus.)) The book helps to provide a wide-range view of the events occurring in Mark's gospel account, providing an understanding of the overall theme of Jesus' advent and unfolding revelation as the King and Messiah that the Hebrew people do not recognize.

Wright's writing style is very engaging and refreshing, as is reflected in his more scholarly works of deep theology.

I found the book very interesting and plan to work my way through the series. It would be ideal for individual daily Bible study, devotions, and/or group study, as well as material for teaching.

This book is being used as the basis for a men's bible study on the Gospel of Mark. All of the men in this group are very pleased with the way the author paraphrases the sections of the gospel to be covered as well as the way he provides some insight to the cultural and historical background of the various times and regions. Tom Wright provides a very thoughtful and original commentary on the Gospel of Mark without being so bold as to insinuate that his opinion is the only correct interpretation of the text. I am looking forward to reading other bible commentaries from this author.

I found this devotional commentary to be a refreshing personal devotion resource as well as a comptetent commentary on the uniqueness of Mark's gospel. You will find it easy to read and a very helpful resource for prompting small group discussion if used in that setting. You need not be anywhere near a scholar to benefit.