The Gospel of Mark (New International Greek Testament Commentary

New International Greek Testament Commentary

by R.T. France

This work is a commentary on Mark itself, not a commentary on commentaries of Mark. It deals immediately and directly with matters that France himself regards as important. Working from his own translation of the Greek text and culling from helpful research into the world of first-century Palestine, France provides an extensive introduction to Mark's Gospel, followed by insightful section and verse commentary.

Genres: Reference, Theology, Biblical Studies, New Testament, Christianity, Christian

719 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2014

About the author

Richard Thomas France was a New Testament scholar and Anglican cleric, and Research Fellow in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Wales, Bangor.

Reviews

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume by respected scholar, R. T. France, now in a more economical paperback edition, is simply one of the best commentaries that exists for the Gospel of Mark. I was intrigued on page 1 when Mr. France explained the type of commentary that he was writing. Specifically, he chose not to write a commentary on the commentaries of Mark, but on Mark itself. He went with a fresh view of what was important from all his scholarly studies. It was exciting to read: “my concern is with the exegesis of the text of Mark, not with theories about its prehistory or the process of its composition.”

He covered everything in his Introduction to the Gospel of Mark that you would expect in a major commentary. He was at his best when he discussed the structure of the book. His seeing this gospel as “drama in three acts”, as well as other possibilities of the design of Mark, was riveting. He really opened up several wonderful lines of thought for me on this Gospel.

You will appreciate as well his discussion of Christology in Mark. His discussion of subthemes like discipleship, the Kingdom of God, secrecy, and eschatology were all well done. He paid keen attention to geography as well. I particularly loved his brevity on the Synoptic Problem followed by this conclusion: “In the light of that situation, I do not need a solution to the Synoptic Problem.”

The commentary proper also lived up to expectations. There was depth and insight tied to succinctness throughout. He kept the more obscure information in the textual notes at the end of each section of commentary.

This is an important commentary on the Gospel of Mark that every serious Bible student will need on his or her shelves. I warmly recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Vanjr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent commentary on the Gospel of Mark. Intended for those with a working knowledge of Greek. If it had included parenthetical English with Greek words or phrases I would have understood much more and given it 5 stars. RT France is an outstanding writer and theologian. I would recommend anything he has written.

[Shaun Marksbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the best scholarly commentaries on the market.

[Cameron Barham]

“Mark’s Jesus is less bound by correct procedure, and even correct theology, than some of his followers.”, p. 237

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent commentary, one of the best, in fact, I've ever seen, and definitely THE best on the Gospel of Mark (out of the eighteen or twenty that I regularly dipped into, while preaching through the Gospel of Mark. I probably read 80% of this volume.) It is a commentary on the Greek text, and the Greek is not transliterated or translated, but it is still amazingly readable, lucid, and engaging. France's introduction to the Gospel of Mark is the best intro I've read, and alone worth the price of the book. He views Mark's gospel as a narrative - a drama in three acts; yet he resists imposing superficial structures on the book. He writes with a desire to hear Mark's text afresh, and tends to focus in his comments on the unfolding theological narrative itself. Yet he is obviously well-read and conversant with both the primary ancient documents themselves and the relevant literature on Mark (commentaries, monographs, essays in journals, etc.) and engages them frequently when helpful. His theology is generally conservative, with a high Christology. He is cautious with overly novel interpretations. He articulates a partial-preterist position on Mark 13. France would probably be a bit too technical for the purposes of a lay-person, but preachers can hardly afford to be without him. I would recommend reading him along side the commentaries by James Edwards (Pillar), William Lane (NICNT), and David Garland (NIVAC). Excellent!

[Tim Mcclain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually write reviews on Bible commentaries, but when I do, it’s because I’ve found one that is exceptionally good. I have been using R. T. France’s NIGTC commentary, The Gospel of Mark, for over a year now as I have been preaching through Mark. France was a great conservative biblical scholar who also wrote the NICNT commentary, The Gospel of Matthew, which I have and also greatly appreciate. Of the various commentaries I am consulting for my studies on Mark, I always find France’s to be far and away the most helpful, insightful, and readable. France seems to anticipate answers to my questions that the other commentators miss. If you are looking for a good, technical study on Mark and you have a working knowledge of biblical Greek, I doubt that you will find a better one than this.

[CJ Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite commentary on Mark. France is solid, careful, and wryly humorous throughout. Even when he rejects an interpretation, he often allows for counterpoint in a footnote. His work on Mark 13/Matt 24 especially has been foundational to my understanding.

[Keith Kresge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good commentary. Enjoy France.

[Jack Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A work I increasingly relied upon as I studied Mark a few years ago.

[Lucas Freitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read up to Mark 8 (Nov/20)

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid commentary that can be used for preaching or academic work, but on the more technical side. Greek isn’t necessary but recommended.

[Justin Heck · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite commentary on Mark

[Matthew Bonzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This commentary was excellent. Perhaps, it was the best commentary on any book of the Bible I’ve read.
I appreciate that this isn’t a commentary on other commentaries but is just fresh and careful exegesis. That reality was apparent in every section.

Though, this is a technical work, I think it is accessible to those are motivated to really know, love, enjoy, and be changed by Mark’s gospel.

France’s explanation and understanding on the so-called “Messianic-secret” was helpful. His understanding of the narrative and literary devices was really helpful.

[Mu-tien Chiou · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best commentary on Mark IMO.
I highly recommend at last reading the introduction of this book.

France is one of the major proponent of the high view of Mark. Contrary to the "Marken Prioritists" who date Mark early simply because it's most simple and most raw of the synoptics, France wrote this commentary on the premise that Mark indeed has a very sophisticated narrative which embeds a high Christology, which in turn could mean that its literary composition is more of a work of trimming down Matthew (or Luke) rather than vice versa.

Certainly this is a bold suggestion as it is undocumented like any of similar hypotheses of the synoptics are. However, it is up to the reader to decide whether to take this or not, as you will read this commentary and find out how thick, rich, and thoughtful that gospel work is.
France certainly did a great job!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good commentary on the Greek text of Mark. I didn't agree with everything France said and questioned some of his conclusions, but he's a careful scholar and writes really well. At least a basic understanding of Greek is probably needed to use this commentary, as most Greek words and phrases are not translated, and much of his comments assume an understanding of the grammar and syntax.

[Tyler Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good commentary. France interacts with contemporary Lukan scholarship with verve.
Those sections pertaining to Jesus's eschatological discourse(s) are highlights, wherein France rebuts claims to the effect that Jesus mistakenly foretold an imminent first century parousia as well as some of the stranger claims of dispensationalists via strong exegesis.

[Joshua Reitano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is significant if for no other reason than it marked one of the first works by an evangelical author in the late 20th century to receive acclaim for a commentary. I don't agree with everything in this volume, but it is well researched and worth having in your library.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second favorite exegetical commentary. France does a wonderful job giving an inaugurated eschatology argument in the Gospel of Mark.