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The Gospel of Mark: A Beginner's Guide to the Good News
Discover the Good News in the Bible’s earliest Gospel
Walk through the Bible’s earliest source for the life of Jesus with scholar Amy-Jill Levine as she examines John the Baptizer, the Little Apocalypse, the Transfiguration, and several of Jesus's most notable stories and parables. The Good News of the gospel message comes alive in this book as readers see Jesus as divine and human, powerful and weak, approachable yet mysterious. The book features an in-depth study of select passages and illuminates the Gospel in its historical context and as a source for the other gospels.
Additional components for this 6-week study include a comprehensive Leader Guide and DVD/Video sessions featuring Amy-Jill Levine (with closed captioning).
Walk through the Bible’s earliest source for the life of Jesus with scholar Amy-Jill Levine as she examines John the Baptizer, the Little Apocalypse, the Transfiguration, and several of Jesus's most notable stories and parables. The Good News of the gospel message comes alive in this book as readers see Jesus as divine and human, powerful and weak, approachable yet mysterious. The book features an in-depth study of select passages and illuminates the Gospel in its historical context and as a source for the other gospels.
Additional components for this 6-week study include a comprehensive Leader Guide and DVD/Video sessions featuring Amy-Jill Levine (with closed captioning).
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2023
119 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Amy-Jill Levine
98 books314 followersAmy-Jill Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and Department of Jewish Studies. Her books include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus; Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi; four children's books (with Sandy Sasso); The Gospel of Luke (with Ben Witherington III); and The Jewish Annotated New Testament (co-edited with Marc Z. Brettler). Her most recent books are The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently (co-authored with Marc Z. Brettler), Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner's Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven; and The Kingdom of Heaven: 40 Devotionals. In 2019 she became the first Jew to teach New Testament at Rome's Pontifical Biblical Institute. Professor Levine, who has done over 300 programs for churches, clergy groups, and seminaries, has been awarded grants from the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Council of Learned Societies. Institutions granting her honorary degrees include Christian Theological Seminary and the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 15, 2025
This book was an enjoyable ride from start to finish. Levine gives a very brief overview of some of the most fascinating parts of Mark that allow us to ask better questions of what we are actually reading, just like Mark intended. Her Jewish perspective is a welcome one and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the gospel of Mark and what it can mean for us.
August 23, 2023
Great
AJ Levine is a wonderful scholar who writes not for the sake of academics but the average person. She helped me see my favorite gospel in a new light.
AJ Levine is a wonderful scholar who writes not for the sake of academics but the average person. She helped me see my favorite gospel in a new light.
February 6, 2025
Interesting, thought provoking, and frustrating at times. My Sunday School class has been studying this book for 3 months. I found a new appreciation for the Gospel of Mark through this book. There's a lot to think about packed into this small volume.
January 27, 2024
I am so grateful for Levine’s teaching of Jesus’ own faith. Her writing makes me a better preacher, more faithful to the context of the gospels.
November 7, 2024
Amy Jill-Levine’s The Gospel of Mark is far more than advertised (“A Beginner’s Guide”), for it is a reading/guide that emphatically embraces an “historicist” approach to Biblical “hermeneutics” (textual interpretation): When reading the New Testament, she states, “I also find the need…to reformulate traditions under new circumstances, the value of debate, and the importance of knowing how texts might have taken shape in historical context” (p. 42).
To this point, she importantly sets the selective reading of Mark within the dual-contexts of New Testament scholarship and the history of both the early Christian community responsible for and contributing to Mark’s reading and the vast and complex Jewish religious and historical traditions contributing to the text’s development, which also provides form and structure to its interpretive meaning – and this she accomplishes in an impressive manner.
Throughout, the author stresses the “difficulty” of interpreting Mark with any scholarly sense of certainty, and indeed demonstrates, as the reader is taken through her reading, that often even the most skilled interpreters are at a loss – reach a sense of interpretive “waywardness” – in the Greek – aporia – to provide answers to the questions that Mark often leaves open for readers.
Speaking of the Greek (Koine/New Testament Greek), she offers her own translations of passages from Mark that might shock a few readers, and she goes on to clarify how Greek terms contribute to a re-conceived understanding of the passages selected for analysis. For example, she differentiates “chronological time” from the unique Greek term “kairos,” which is indicative of the right or appropriate time to do something or perform an action. This relates to the notion that “the fated time [kairos], is near, repent before it is too late” (p. 93). Interestingly, this Greek term comes directly from Aristotle’s ethics – the “right time [kairos] of (virtuous) action!”
I just purchased her guidebook for the Gospel of John and am looking forward to reading it. Not only is she a learned scholar and prolific author, but she also has a warm and inviting writing style. Importantly, for me, what is stressed throughout her reading is the predominance of “mystery” within the Gospel – who precisely is the naked young man who flees at the time of Jesus’ arrest? The author admits that the Gospel text is recalcitrant, it refuses time and again to provide us with easy answers, and demands, as the author contends, repeated and ever-renewed readings and reinterpretations of those readings – “Mark leaves us the time, and the space, to make our own proclamations” (p. 154).
Dr. James M. Magrini
Former: Philosophy/College of Dupage
To this point, she importantly sets the selective reading of Mark within the dual-contexts of New Testament scholarship and the history of both the early Christian community responsible for and contributing to Mark’s reading and the vast and complex Jewish religious and historical traditions contributing to the text’s development, which also provides form and structure to its interpretive meaning – and this she accomplishes in an impressive manner.
Throughout, the author stresses the “difficulty” of interpreting Mark with any scholarly sense of certainty, and indeed demonstrates, as the reader is taken through her reading, that often even the most skilled interpreters are at a loss – reach a sense of interpretive “waywardness” – in the Greek – aporia – to provide answers to the questions that Mark often leaves open for readers.
Speaking of the Greek (Koine/New Testament Greek), she offers her own translations of passages from Mark that might shock a few readers, and she goes on to clarify how Greek terms contribute to a re-conceived understanding of the passages selected for analysis. For example, she differentiates “chronological time” from the unique Greek term “kairos,” which is indicative of the right or appropriate time to do something or perform an action. This relates to the notion that “the fated time [kairos], is near, repent before it is too late” (p. 93). Interestingly, this Greek term comes directly from Aristotle’s ethics – the “right time [kairos] of (virtuous) action!”
I just purchased her guidebook for the Gospel of John and am looking forward to reading it. Not only is she a learned scholar and prolific author, but she also has a warm and inviting writing style. Importantly, for me, what is stressed throughout her reading is the predominance of “mystery” within the Gospel – who precisely is the naked young man who flees at the time of Jesus’ arrest? The author admits that the Gospel text is recalcitrant, it refuses time and again to provide us with easy answers, and demands, as the author contends, repeated and ever-renewed readings and reinterpretations of those readings – “Mark leaves us the time, and the space, to make our own proclamations” (p. 154).
Dr. James M. Magrini
Former: Philosophy/College of Dupage
March 22, 2024
I have read several of her books and found them very enlightening. Although there was much good in what she said, this book seemed to lack the depth compared some of the others. She quibbled over things that weren’t of that much concern. However her comparisons of events in Jesus's time to how Judaism is practiced today don’t work.
She staunchly defended the high priests of the temple in Jesus’s day, saying they would never have done the things mentioned in Mark’s gospel. She seems to forget the prophet Isaiah was killed by the temple leaders of his time because they didn’t like what he had to say. Many of the other prophets rebelled against the temple leadership of their times for the same reasons Jesus pointed out problems in his day.
She wrote that the Temple leadership in Jesus’s time consisted mostly of high ranking people appointed by the Romans. Their first concern was to keep the peace—the perfect reason to get rid of this troublemaker from Galilee who had everyone stirred up. Jesus condemned many of the things they were doing just like previous prophets had and he, too, was punished for it.
That said, I always learn a great deal from her because of her scholarship of the time and place as well as Jewish texts and what they have to say about the Christian gospels and letters.
She staunchly defended the high priests of the temple in Jesus’s day, saying they would never have done the things mentioned in Mark’s gospel. She seems to forget the prophet Isaiah was killed by the temple leaders of his time because they didn’t like what he had to say. Many of the other prophets rebelled against the temple leadership of their times for the same reasons Jesus pointed out problems in his day.
She wrote that the Temple leadership in Jesus’s time consisted mostly of high ranking people appointed by the Romans. Their first concern was to keep the peace—the perfect reason to get rid of this troublemaker from Galilee who had everyone stirred up. Jesus condemned many of the things they were doing just like previous prophets had and he, too, was punished for it.
That said, I always learn a great deal from her because of her scholarship of the time and place as well as Jewish texts and what they have to say about the Christian gospels and letters.
May 27, 2024
Mostly pretty good. I like Levine's perspective on the Gospel and Jesus, as a Jewish scholar of the New Testament, but it's hard to overcome the basic problems of the text - all the miracles and marketing ploys (manipulations of earlier prophetic texts, the lifting up of faith, and the promise of eternal life) are rather disturbing if taken seriously. All the hoohah and hocus pocus seems to drown out the message about concern for the poor and the marginalized, about the divine mercy we are meant to enact through acts of compassionate generosity, about the need to be non-violent and to forgive everyone everything. Levine is scholarly and yet accessible, even conversational and personable, but the underlying text is problematic, like all the Gospels. Maybe three and a half stars. The good news is not so good, after two thousand years, sitting here today in the midst of an ugly and belligerent white christian nationalist insurgency. It isn't Levine's fault, but the Gospel is less spiritually appealing in Trump's America.
October 26, 2023
This little book could cause quite a big stir in a church. Amy Jill Levine is at it again with The Gospel of Mark: a Beginner's Guide to the Good News.
This may be a brief book, but do not underestimate it because of it. A wise Jedi master once said, "judge me by my size, do you?" This book is dense with a lot of material thrown at you that challenges you, comforts you, confounds you and may concern you.
In just a few pages, the reader will receive a whirlwind education in New Testament theology, New Testament backgrounds, modern day Biblical interpretation and a great deal of insight into the gospel of Mark.
While the writing is not technical, it may go slowly with the reader. But Dr. Levine is clear and concise. There were a few times I wished she would continue on in depth.
I highly encourage this for anyone interested in Bible Study, or preachers who may need some inspiration for their series on Mark.
Grade:A
This may be a brief book, but do not underestimate it because of it. A wise Jedi master once said, "judge me by my size, do you?" This book is dense with a lot of material thrown at you that challenges you, comforts you, confounds you and may concern you.
In just a few pages, the reader will receive a whirlwind education in New Testament theology, New Testament backgrounds, modern day Biblical interpretation and a great deal of insight into the gospel of Mark.
While the writing is not technical, it may go slowly with the reader. But Dr. Levine is clear and concise. There were a few times I wished she would continue on in depth.
I highly encourage this for anyone interested in Bible Study, or preachers who may need some inspiration for their series on Mark.
Grade:A
September 1, 2024
This is a book I read last fall with a group study at our church. It's the first time I've read anything by Amy-Jill Levine, and it was really interesting to see how she delves into the text of the Gospel of Mark in the Bible. I also was fascinated by the fact that she's a person of Jewish faith writing about the New Testament (rather than from a purely Christian perspective) which seemed unique to me.
She really digs into the historical context of the New Testament and details of the people and culture at the time to help understand what's going on in the text. You can tell she is very scholarly and has studied these thoroughly, but also admits when there are enigmatic things about the gospel of Mark that have no easy answers. While I wouldn't say it was one of my favorites, I did really appreciate this and definitely added knowledge and nuance to my understanding of this part of the Bible.
She really digs into the historical context of the New Testament and details of the people and culture at the time to help understand what's going on in the text. You can tell she is very scholarly and has studied these thoroughly, but also admits when there are enigmatic things about the gospel of Mark that have no easy answers. While I wouldn't say it was one of my favorites, I did really appreciate this and definitely added knowledge and nuance to my understanding of this part of the Bible.
October 26, 2023
I adore all things Amy-Jill but this book left me longing for her style in other studies. There were instances where I could see her humor, her commitment to sharing historical context, and her call for social justice, but I often found myself longing for a tidier wrap up to each chapter. Perhaps the style was intentional as she notes Mark is a challenging book of the Bible and leaves us all with a lot of questions. I still love her and will continue to read her work, this just wasn’t my favorite.
March 2, 2024
Over the past few years, our congregation has used and enjoyed several Bible studies by Amy-Jill Levine. The Gospel of Mark: A Beginner’s Guide to the Good News was not one of our favorites. We struggled with Levine’s literal translation from the Greek. We wished she had focused on other verses in Mark. We wondered if we were Christian "intermediates" and not beginners. By the end though, we decided that this study had indeed spurred much thoughtful conversation.
April 17, 2024
This is not a book geared toward actually making sense of the Gospel of Mark. It seems this gospel is intentionally and artfully enigmatic, and Amy-Jill Levine honors that with her book . The most enlightening idea I gleaned is that of "intercollation," i.e. the stories sandwiching a story inform it. I have often wondered why scenes change so abruptly, seemingly unrelated. Apparently it is artful instead of random or lazy! :)
And I liked the author guiding us through the original words, roughly translated.
And I liked the author guiding us through the original words, roughly translated.
October 11, 2024
#18: READ A BOOK FOR BIBLE STUDY: This book was an extremely slow read for me. The content was "deep" and it was difficult to get through. I did not enjoy my time spent reading it/skimming it. Thank goodness she also had a video presentation to go with the series which was way more understandable. I have attended other studies by this author and she is very knowledgeable----it's just that this book was not for me. Am
April 27, 2024
I always enjoy AJ's books, and this is another gem. I'm using it as a study with my college and career Sunday School class, along with the accompanying DVD. The class has enjoyed the insights and questions AJ poses throughout this work. We've been challenged to wrestle with difficult text and cherish the foundations of our Christian faith together.
Read
June 20, 2025I wouldn't necessarily call this a beginner's guide because it was more indepth and meticulous. It was not what I was looking for (at least in this season of my life). With that being said, there was some interesting things the author brought up. Some though, I'm not sure if I agree with. I decided to put it down at page 42. Maybe I'll revisited later.
October 26, 2023
This wasn’t your typical Amy-Jill book. It was denser and more challenging than her usual. I still enjoyed her unique perspectives and insightful commentary, but it was lacking some of her personality that comes through better in previous books. Nonetheless, still a huge Amy-Jill fan!
May 28, 2024
Not sure why I never marked this finished. It was part of the Bible study I did with my church and we finished up months ago.
Levine is an amazing teacher and writer. She has helped me to see things in the New Testament that I have not seen my whole life. I highly recommend her books.
Levine is an amazing teacher and writer. She has helped me to see things in the New Testament that I have not seen my whole life. I highly recommend her books.
January 22, 2024
AJ’s scholarship is unparalleled!
If you any type of scholar, preacher, or even Christian this is a must read book.
I guarantee that I will return to this text many times in the future!
If you any type of scholar, preacher, or even Christian this is a must read book.
I guarantee that I will return to this text many times in the future!
January 26, 2024
Mark is the first writer of the gospels. He concludes with an open ended question.
March 3, 2024
A line-by-line interpretation, occasionally insightful, marred by stilted translations and gratuitous first person and autobiographical digressions
March 25, 2024
Thought-provoking but a very difficult read
May 15, 2024
A clear exposition of some of the key themes in the Gospel of Mark, written by a Jewish religious scholar. Enjoyed her wit and some of the questions she left for us to puzzle through ourselves.
September 5, 2024
Fantastic companion to weekly Bible Study. A great study into my favorite gospel.
Read
October 30, 2024Not my favorite of her books.
May 18, 2025
3.5. This was our Bible study book for this year and it was very tough going at times.
September 17, 2025
Very accessible and insightful exposition of key passages from Mark - high quality presentation similar to other books and lectures I've previously encountered with this author. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews