Believing that the needs of beleaguered Christian communities in turbulent times would be best met by resourcing the life of Jesus, Mark wrote a Gospel that was at once plain and subtle, fast-paced and yet profound. The essence of being a follower of Jesus was therefore clarified, so that such communities might differentiate the essential from the trivial and be fortified in their testimony to the one, true gospel. This commentary attempts to expound the artistry of Mark in achieving all this in its original setting, by focusing on the larger picture of themes and thrusts, paragraphs and plot, but without dodging important issues of interpretation. Following in the footsteps of this groundbreaking Gospel, this commentary also attempts to bridge the horizons of the then and the now, and show how it may still be a powerful resource for being a disciple of Jesus today. Sermonic suggestions are offered where appropriate, so that harried pastors may find a quick and effective way of sharing Mark with their congregations.Clear and accessible, engaged with relevant scholarship, wise and balanced in judgments, offering both analysis of the text of Mark and cogent suggestions about continuing meaning for today, this new commentary is recommended, especially for busy ministers and students.--Larry W. Hurtado, Emeritus Professor of New Testament Language, Literature & Theology, School of Divinity, New College, University of EdinburghTan has produced an exceptionally fine and delightfully written commentary on the Gospel of Mark, which will be appreciated by a wide range of readers, from seasoned interpreters of Mark to new students of the Gospel. This is one of the most helpful and reliable commentaries on Mark's Gospel presently available.--Edward Adams, Professor of New Testament Studies, Senior Tutor, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, King's College LondonThis commentary on Mark is exceptionally informative, incisive and inviting. Tan tackles exegetical issues with razor-sharp precision, engages with critical scholarship judiciously, and articulates the meaning of the Gospel with crystal clarity. A master teacher, he makes Mark's text alive, its social and symbolic worlds transparent, and its urgent messages hard to miss . . . A major contribution, indeed.--John Yieh, Molly Laird Downs Chair Professor of New Testament, Virginia Theological SeminaryIt is a delight to welcome this exegetically informed and sensitive exposition of Mark's Gospel. Unlike so many ineffectual gestures towards globalization in biblical studies, this commentary adds to its series a learned, critically and theologically invested interpretation that is composed in a non-Western setting but seeks to engage its text for a global Christian readership. Tan and [the] editors deserve our thanks for this valuable contribution to a much-needed widening of the conversation.--Markus Bockmuehl, Dean Ireland's Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, University of OxfordKim Huat Tan is Chen Su Lan Professor of New Testament and Academic Dean at Trinity Theological College, Singapore. He is author of The Zion Traditions and the Aims of Jesus (1997).
