Jesus' Defeat of Death: Persuading Mark's Early Readers (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series) by Peter G. Bolt

by Peter G. Bolt

Peter Bolt explores the impact of Mark's Gospel on early readers in the first-century Graeco-Roman world. Focusing upon the thirteen characters in Mark who come to Jesus for healing or exorcism, Bolt analyzes their crucial role in the communication of the Gospel. Enlisting a variety of ancient literary and non-literary sources, this book recreates the first-century world of illness, magic and Roman imperialism. This new approach to Mark combines reader-response criticism with social history.

Hardcover

First published December 10, 1999

About the author

Peter G Bolt is the head of New Testament and Greek at Moore College, Sydney. He continues to be fascinated with Jesus, and loves teaching the Gospels. Peter has a PhD from King's College London and has published works on mission, the Gospels, church life, and the afterlife. These interests arise from a great concern to assist people to understand Jesus better, to put their faith in him, and to take their place in Christ's mission as we wait for the coming kingdom.

Reviews

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bolt's book has alot to commend it: sober handling of scripture, determined engagement with Greek and Roman context, and a perceptive analysis of how Mark seeks to engage his readers.
His deep reading of ancient sources is fascinating. He paints a window into the ancient mind through analysing ancient magical practices and the Roman emperor cults.
Well worth the read.