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The Hodder Bible Commentary
The Hodder Bible Commentary: Mark
50 volumes. 4 million words. Global representation.Engage with the latest theological thinking in this new, readable exposition of the Bible in 50 volumes. Covering all books of the Bible and including the full the Anglicised New International Version (NIV) text, the Hodder Bible Commentary series makes connecting scripture and scholarship easier than ever.Explore how the Bible intersects with 21st century life with commentary that is doctrinally sensitive and globally aware, sourced from a team of contributors representing a variety of cultural and ecclesiastical contexts from around the world.Designed to be accessible to all adult readers and particularly for those who preach, teach, and lead Bible studies, each book is split into manageable sections suitable for talks or study groups. Read the Bible text and the commentary side by side to gain a deep knowledge of scripture and the variety of interpretations that can be made from it.Be refreshed with new understanding. Be encouraged to apply your conclusions to life today.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published July 16, 2024
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5 people want to read
About the author
Christopher K.W. Moore
2 booksChristopher K.W. Moore is the Rector of the Benefice of Fownhope (St. Mary's) with Mordiford, Brockhampton, and Woolhope in Hereford Diocese, and a member of General Synod. He also serves as the Regional Director of Church Society in the South and West, and as Chairman of the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius. He is the author of a forthcoming commentary on Mark's Gospel. (Hodder & Stoughton)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 28, 2024
Moore gives us a well-researched and comprehensive commentary on the Gospel According to Mark. It’s laid out well with the verses and commentary interspersed, and multitudinous citations. The language, phrasing and structure careens between academia and vernacular. Some readers may get lost in the bounce.
While the author spends time on the difference between a Gospel “of” and a Gospel “according to,” unfortunately I didn’t find a concise, consolidated description of Mark’s (or Peter’s) description of what the Gospel is and isn’t. The description is scattered throughout the commentary. Most of the description relates to the teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Except for the first, this can’t be the Gospel that Jesus preached. So what is the Good News that Jesus taught? According to Moore, it’s simply, “I’m here. The Kingdom is [now] here and God loves you though the circumstances don’t seem to indicate it, and even if everyone else despise you, lepers and tax collectors and so on.” This might be enough for the Good News, but this message sometimes gets lost in the analysis of verses and passages.
Besides this, I’m not sure why Hodder felt the need to compile new commentaries when there seems to be nothing new in this one that can’t be found in many other commentaries. For example, the usual understanding of Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is that He wanted to avoid suffering. Most “interpreters”—as does Moore—fail to account for the great brotherly love of family, friends, armed service members who will sacrifice for one another. So wouldn’t Christ follow His own teaching: “No greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15.13). No commentators answer why Christ’s love is less than some of our own flawed, self-centered friends who would sacrifice for us. Nor do many commentators answer what cup Christ wants to “pass from Me.” The most immediate antecedent is the cup of the covenant. Why would Christ pray that the cup of the covenant be taken away? One interpreter has said that the “pass from” is like a river overflowing its banks. Perhaps Christ is praying the covenant overflow and flood the world and His anguish is that He must rely on flawed disciples, like Peter who will deny knowing Him. If there’s to be more commentaries written, let’s explore alternative understandings that are grounded in a holistic perspective and context.
I’m appreciative of the publisher for providing an early copy.
While the author spends time on the difference between a Gospel “of” and a Gospel “according to,” unfortunately I didn’t find a concise, consolidated description of Mark’s (or Peter’s) description of what the Gospel is and isn’t. The description is scattered throughout the commentary. Most of the description relates to the teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Except for the first, this can’t be the Gospel that Jesus preached. So what is the Good News that Jesus taught? According to Moore, it’s simply, “I’m here. The Kingdom is [now] here and God loves you though the circumstances don’t seem to indicate it, and even if everyone else despise you, lepers and tax collectors and so on.” This might be enough for the Good News, but this message sometimes gets lost in the analysis of verses and passages.
Besides this, I’m not sure why Hodder felt the need to compile new commentaries when there seems to be nothing new in this one that can’t be found in many other commentaries. For example, the usual understanding of Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is that He wanted to avoid suffering. Most “interpreters”—as does Moore—fail to account for the great brotherly love of family, friends, armed service members who will sacrifice for one another. So wouldn’t Christ follow His own teaching: “No greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15.13). No commentators answer why Christ’s love is less than some of our own flawed, self-centered friends who would sacrifice for us. Nor do many commentators answer what cup Christ wants to “pass from Me.” The most immediate antecedent is the cup of the covenant. Why would Christ pray that the cup of the covenant be taken away? One interpreter has said that the “pass from” is like a river overflowing its banks. Perhaps Christ is praying the covenant overflow and flood the world and His anguish is that He must rely on flawed disciples, like Peter who will deny knowing Him. If there’s to be more commentaries written, let’s explore alternative understandings that are grounded in a holistic perspective and context.
I’m appreciative of the publisher for providing an early copy.
March 15, 2024
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This Bible commentary is dense with information, yet it is not too academic for most readers. It gives detailed explanations of the historical context and the significance of the content in the Book of Mark. The detail, combined with the clarity, is remarkable, but it still seems like a heavy read. Unfortunately, it doesn't make me feel any more motivated to dive into this book of the Bible. Ultimately, I'm still searching for a resource that improves my understanding of the Bible without detracting from my enjoyment of reading the Bible.
This Bible commentary is dense with information, yet it is not too academic for most readers. It gives detailed explanations of the historical context and the significance of the content in the Book of Mark. The detail, combined with the clarity, is remarkable, but it still seems like a heavy read. Unfortunately, it doesn't make me feel any more motivated to dive into this book of the Bible. Ultimately, I'm still searching for a resource that improves my understanding of the Bible without detracting from my enjoyment of reading the Bible.
August 22, 2024
This is second Hodder Bible Commentary that I have read and I am finding them very helpful. Chris Moore gives a very good introduction to who Mark was and his life in the context of the times he lived in.
The commentary section itself is very clear and split into manageable chunks with the Bible passage being reproduced within the text. There are a lot of references and footnotes but this is a the nature of a book like this which is for the layman but with a slight academic feel to it.
With thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press | Hodder & Stoughton for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The commentary section itself is very clear and split into manageable chunks with the Bible passage being reproduced within the text. There are a lot of references and footnotes but this is a the nature of a book like this which is for the layman but with a slight academic feel to it.
With thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press | Hodder & Stoughton for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2025
wonderful outline
Loving it so far! I first got Ben Coopers one on Matthew because of him being my lecturer and I know the Cornhill style but I’ve found throughout that all of these commentaries are worth buying and worth having for sermon prep.
Loving it so far! I first got Ben Coopers one on Matthew because of him being my lecturer and I know the Cornhill style but I’ve found throughout that all of these commentaries are worth buying and worth having for sermon prep.
September 3, 2024
A solid, scholarly review of the Book of Mark. It doesn't read like an academic tome; it explores the themes in a conversational way and asks insightful questions.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews