The Gospel According to Mark: A Commentary

Synopsis: The world to which the Gospel of Mark introduces its reader is a world of conflicts and suspense enigmas and secrets questions and overturning of evidence irony and surprise. Its principal actor Jesus is perplexing in the extreme. He is evidently so for the religious authorities who oppose him but also for his disciples who shift from incomprehension to opposition and flight. Questions of meaning life and death good and evil are continually broached. This narrative is a subtle invitation to enter into a new world that of the coming Reign of God in which the first are last and whoever wants to save his life must lose it. This commentary on the Gospel of Mark has been enthusiastically reviewed in the French edition as one of the best current commentaries on Mark. As a narrative critical commentary it favors an interpretation of the Gospel that tries to grasp the dynamic of the text taken as a whole. Even if the technical vocabulary of narrative analysis is not used and the main results of the historical-critical criticism particularly those of redaction criticism are not neglected as the notes will reveal it is narrative criticism that guides the proceedings. Endorsements: It is a delight to see Camille Focants masterful commentary on the Gospel of Mark appear in English ably translated by Leslie Keylock and beautifully typeset by Pickwick Publications. Focant skillfully navigates the seemingly endless scholarship concerned with Mark. His introduction strikes the right balance judiciously focusing on the critical questions and consistently reaching prudent conclusions. Each passage is interpreted with great care. Students busy clergy and seasoned scholars will benefit greatly from this well-written commentary. --Craig A. Evans Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament Acadia Divinity College Author Biography: Camille Focant is a well-known Belgian New Testament scholar and professor emeritus in the faculty of theology at the Catholic University of Louvain (Louvain-la-Neuve) in Belgium. He is one of the editors of the French series of New Testament commentaries in which this volume appears. He is the author of Marc un évangile étonnant (2006).