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Biblical Theology of the New Testament
A Theology of Mark's Gospel: Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God
A Theology of Mark’s Gospel is the fourth volume in the BTNT series. This landmark textbook, written by leading New Testament scholar David E. Garland, thoroughly explores the theology of Mark’s Gospel. It both covers major Markan themes and also sets forth the distinctive contribution of Mark to the New Testament and the canon of Scripture, providing readers with an in-depth and holistic grasp of Markan theology in the larger context of the Bible. This substantive, evangelical treatment of Markan theology makes an ideal college- or seminary-level text.
656 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2015
About the author
David E. Garland
78 books13 followersDavid Ellsworth Garland (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate dean for academic affairs and William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University. He is the author of numerous books, including award-winning commentaries on 1 Corinthians and Mark.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 12, 2017
This book is the equivalent of a whole shelf of books on the Gospel of Mark. Veteran commentator, David Garland, has written an ideal volume here. Think of it as a book that summarizes all the issues and themes that scholars often talk about involving Mark’s Gospel to put beside your commentaries on Mark. Fortunately, Zondervan is putting out a whole series called the Biblical Theology of the New Testament (BTNT) in eight volumes to cover the New Testament. Authors in the series are required to have already written a commentary on one of the books in their section. Mr. Garland has already written a commentary on Mark in the NIVAC series. Though its stated audience is for upper college and seminary-level students, I found it, as a pastor, accessible and easier to read than many volumes of its kind.
The book is divided into two parts, though that division is a little skewed. Part one only has two chapters covering introductory matters while the rest of the whole book is on major themes in Mark’s theology. While those first two chapters on introductory matters were well done, I feel part two is where the immense value of the book comes out.
Do you know why I find chapters 3 through 14 so valuable? It’s because all the issues that I’ve encountered in commentary reading on Mark’s Gospel get discussed in a clear, suggestive summary of what’s been believed and straightforward reasoning behind conclusions Mr. Garland offers. Some of these subjects were ones I’ve tried to get smaller individual volumes on, but was thrilled to find them all here.
He discusses what the introduction of Mark 1:1-13 means. He covers the Christological titles of Jesus, such as the Son of Man. Other standout chapters were his explaining the Kingdom of God in the Gospel of Mark. He made great sense of the secrecy motifs that you so often hear of in regards to Mark’s Gospel. Another subject that you hear about so often is the prominence of discipleship and he covered it in great depth. Don’t miss chapter 10 on the requirements, costs, and rewards of discipleship – that chapter is quite perceptive. He makes clear what the atonement means in Mark’s Gospel, and as you might expect, covers Mark’s eschatology. The last chapter is on the debate over the end of Mark’s gospel, and though I find the longer ending more accurate, he well covers the issues.
As I said before, I can’t believe how many volumes I’ve looked for that could be replaced by this one volume. For my money, it’s quite a bargain.
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.
The book is divided into two parts, though that division is a little skewed. Part one only has two chapters covering introductory matters while the rest of the whole book is on major themes in Mark’s theology. While those first two chapters on introductory matters were well done, I feel part two is where the immense value of the book comes out.
Do you know why I find chapters 3 through 14 so valuable? It’s because all the issues that I’ve encountered in commentary reading on Mark’s Gospel get discussed in a clear, suggestive summary of what’s been believed and straightforward reasoning behind conclusions Mr. Garland offers. Some of these subjects were ones I’ve tried to get smaller individual volumes on, but was thrilled to find them all here.
He discusses what the introduction of Mark 1:1-13 means. He covers the Christological titles of Jesus, such as the Son of Man. Other standout chapters were his explaining the Kingdom of God in the Gospel of Mark. He made great sense of the secrecy motifs that you so often hear of in regards to Mark’s Gospel. Another subject that you hear about so often is the prominence of discipleship and he covered it in great depth. Don’t miss chapter 10 on the requirements, costs, and rewards of discipleship – that chapter is quite perceptive. He makes clear what the atonement means in Mark’s Gospel, and as you might expect, covers Mark’s eschatology. The last chapter is on the debate over the end of Mark’s gospel, and though I find the longer ending more accurate, he well covers the issues.
As I said before, I can’t believe how many volumes I’ve looked for that could be replaced by this one volume. For my money, it’s quite a bargain.
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.
April 27, 2026
Well, I wanted to like this book. Garland does offer some interesting insights to the book of Mark and the theology it contains. It is worth reading for that.
However, he has some fatal flaws that led me to rate him lower than I was intending.
First, he insists on the priority of Mark, which I reject based on the evidence of the church fathers. This presupposition affects interpretation at points.
It could have been tempered (and resulted in less errors) if he would have realized that Mark, even if first, didn't write in a vacuum. The NT church was built on the apostolic preaching about Jesus. This preaching contained everything contained in the canonical Gospels. Even if Mark were first and chose to leave some material out, he would have been aware of it.
This failure skews several key interpretations in my opinion.
Second, Garland is not a dispensationalist. This is no crime, but it is wrong! And it means he doesn't get eschatology or the kingdom right. His chapters on these two subjects are virtually useless.
Finally, Garland virulently opposes the longer ending of Mark, seemingly insisting it is a forgery. This is a strong charge. He does acknowledge that it is very early (earlier than Irenaeus), but insists it is not genuine. This is a smaller point, but it occupies so much of the attention in the last chapter of the book as to make it useless as well.
David Alan Black has an argument for the inclusion of the longer ending as a Markan addition which Garland seems to not be aware of. I think it at least deserves some attention.
Overall then, the book does have some use in the earlier chapters, but ended very disappointingly. Consequently, my low rating is the result.
However, he has some fatal flaws that led me to rate him lower than I was intending.
First, he insists on the priority of Mark, which I reject based on the evidence of the church fathers. This presupposition affects interpretation at points.
It could have been tempered (and resulted in less errors) if he would have realized that Mark, even if first, didn't write in a vacuum. The NT church was built on the apostolic preaching about Jesus. This preaching contained everything contained in the canonical Gospels. Even if Mark were first and chose to leave some material out, he would have been aware of it.
This failure skews several key interpretations in my opinion.
Second, Garland is not a dispensationalist. This is no crime, but it is wrong! And it means he doesn't get eschatology or the kingdom right. His chapters on these two subjects are virtually useless.
Finally, Garland virulently opposes the longer ending of Mark, seemingly insisting it is a forgery. This is a strong charge. He does acknowledge that it is very early (earlier than Irenaeus), but insists it is not genuine. This is a smaller point, but it occupies so much of the attention in the last chapter of the book as to make it useless as well.
David Alan Black has an argument for the inclusion of the longer ending as a Markan addition which Garland seems to not be aware of. I think it at least deserves some attention.
Overall then, the book does have some use in the earlier chapters, but ended very disappointingly. Consequently, my low rating is the result.
September 11, 2017
An interesting mix between a standard commentary and a theological one, this volume is thorough and gives you a good primer on the scholarly discussion on the first (written) gospel. It is a bit tedious wading through all of the "this scholar says that" but worth the effort.
September 13, 2016
The gospel of Mark may be the shortest gospel, but you will not believe how much one is able to discover and understand from the gospel of Mark.
David E. Garland has written a definitive book on the theology of the gospel of Mark. Garland starts with an elaborate introduction to the gospel of Mark. He covers the historical framework of the theology of Mark and also the literary nature of Mark’s gospel. This introduction takes close to 25% of the book and will be a value resource for anyone doing research on the book of Mark.
For the rest of the book, Garland then traces different themes through the gospel of Mark. This will be a section that pastors will find helpful as they preach through Mark. Pastor who are interested to showcase a certain topic within the gospel of Mark will find this section especially helpful. I especially like the chapter where Garland covers the secrecy motif in the gospel of Mark. I must say this is one of the questions I always have when reading through the gospels, why Jesus do not want some to proclaim his identity to the masses. I found Garland especially enlightening in this area and have been helped by his in-depth research on the gospel of Mark.
This book is certainly not a walk in the park, and most will probably not buy a copy of this book. But if you are currently researching on the gospel of Mark, or intends to do serious research work on the gospel of Mark you really should consider this book. You will be able to find many gems and treasures within this book. Garland has published a great reference material on the gospel of Mark that will benefit many in the years to come.
Rating: 4.75 / 5
Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
David E. Garland has written a definitive book on the theology of the gospel of Mark. Garland starts with an elaborate introduction to the gospel of Mark. He covers the historical framework of the theology of Mark and also the literary nature of Mark’s gospel. This introduction takes close to 25% of the book and will be a value resource for anyone doing research on the book of Mark.
For the rest of the book, Garland then traces different themes through the gospel of Mark. This will be a section that pastors will find helpful as they preach through Mark. Pastor who are interested to showcase a certain topic within the gospel of Mark will find this section especially helpful. I especially like the chapter where Garland covers the secrecy motif in the gospel of Mark. I must say this is one of the questions I always have when reading through the gospels, why Jesus do not want some to proclaim his identity to the masses. I found Garland especially enlightening in this area and have been helped by his in-depth research on the gospel of Mark.
This book is certainly not a walk in the park, and most will probably not buy a copy of this book. But if you are currently researching on the gospel of Mark, or intends to do serious research work on the gospel of Mark you really should consider this book. You will be able to find many gems and treasures within this book. Garland has published a great reference material on the gospel of Mark that will benefit many in the years to come.
Rating: 4.75 / 5
Disclaimer: I was given this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
February 5, 2026
David E. Garland’s A Theology of Mark’s Gospel is a landmark examination of the theological depth and narrative genius of Mark’s Gospel. As the fourth volume in the BTNT series, Garland combines scholarly rigor with accessible exposition, making this book indispensable for seminary students, pastors, and serious Bible readers.
What sets this work apart is its holistic approach: Garland not only addresses key Markan themes such as the identity of Jesus as Messiah, the Son of God, discipleship, and the kingdom of God but also situates Mark’s contribution within the larger canon of Scripture. Each chapter offers careful analysis, thoughtful theological insight, and a framework for understanding the Gospel’s relevance both historically and today.
With clarity, precision, and an evangelical perspective, A Theology of Mark’s Gospel equips readers to engage deeply with Scripture, bridging academic study and practical ministry. This book is essential for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of Mark’s Gospel and its enduring theological significance.
What sets this work apart is its holistic approach: Garland not only addresses key Markan themes such as the identity of Jesus as Messiah, the Son of God, discipleship, and the kingdom of God but also situates Mark’s contribution within the larger canon of Scripture. Each chapter offers careful analysis, thoughtful theological insight, and a framework for understanding the Gospel’s relevance both historically and today.
With clarity, precision, and an evangelical perspective, A Theology of Mark’s Gospel equips readers to engage deeply with Scripture, bridging academic study and practical ministry. This book is essential for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of Mark’s Gospel and its enduring theological significance.
February 12, 2017
For those who are pastors/teachers, this is a brilliant book and probably required if you plan to preach/teach on Mark's Gospel. It is comprehensive but very readable. The themes that Garland traces through Mark are well done and the section by section overview is also good. I am still not sure about Mark 13 but Garland lays out the interpretive options clearly.
May 24, 2017
I found this to a very helpful resource as I taught through Mark's gospel. Garland does an excellent job introducing and tracing themes in Mark's Gospel. The book itself was readable. The layout was helpful for quickly referencing themes or idea's.
May 27, 2023
Really very very good. Didn’t know it was a text book when I bought it, did take a couple breaks, but overall it was a riveting as a commentary could be and full of depth and explanation of ideas- even those the author didn’t agree with.
November 27, 2019
Incredible! Students of Mark will greatly benefit from Garland's work.
April 11, 2020
Very good. Complicated layout, but lots of meaty food for thought.
January 4, 2016
David E. Garland needs no introduction. He is Dean and Holder of The Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran Delancey Chair of the Dean and Professor of Christian Scriptures at George W. Truett Seminary Baylor University. Garland is the author of numerous books and articles, including numerous highly acclaimed commentaries, and the New Testament editor of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Most recently, Garland has produced this landmark volume on the theology of the Second Gospel as part of Zondervan’s Biblical Theology of the New Testament (BTNT) series.
A Theology of Mark’s Gospel: Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God is the fourth volume in the projected eight-volume BTNT series. Like the other volumes in the series, A Theology of Mark’s Gospel seeks to (1) survey recent scholarship and the state of research, (2) provide a treatment of relevant introductory issues, (3) present a thematic commentary that follows the overall flow of the narrative, (4) discuss important individual themes, and (5) interact with the relationship between the gospel of Mark and the rest of the New Testament and the Bible.
A Theology of Mark’s Gospel opens and Garland immediately orients the reader for the study ahead. Having written two successful commentaries on the Gospel of Mark already, Garland is well-positioned to survey the recent trends of Markan scholarship, and provides a helpful starting point and framework for the less familiar reader. Following the brief orientation, Garland carries the conversation forward and tackles traditional introductory issues such as authorship, provenance and date, audience, etc. Each of these topics are treated with judicious detail and thoroughly documented throughout.
After the introductory material is set as a foundation, Garland guides the reader through the Gospel of Mark and provides a literary reading of the narrative. Garland is extremely helpful here and shows that he is well-acquainted with the Second Gospel. The remainder of the volume seeks to address various theological themes and topics within the Gospel of Mark. The highpoints are numerous, but there are several that would suffice the purchase price of the volume alone. Three such examples would be Garland’s examination of the Christological titles, Mark’s eschatology, and a lengthy discussion on discipleship and missions.
I have been a fan of the BTNT series since the initial volume was released in 2009. Not only does the BTNT series bridge a much-needed gap on the bookshelf by providing a thorough investigation of a given book through the lenses of biblical theology, but the series is intentionally designed for easy reference and usability. It is within this marriage between scholarship and usability that Garland has provided the reader a volume that is sure to shine brightly in an ever-growing market of Markan material. Each topic is well-documented and discussed, the chapters open with a thoroughly distilled bibliography, and everything addressed in the volume is easily discoverable within the detailed table of contents.
A Theology of Mark’s Gospel: Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God by David E. Garland offers the reader and up-to-date and in-depth discussion of the Second Gospel. From the introductory orientation to the detailed dialogue of the disputed passages at the close of the Gospel, and the various theological themes in between, Garland has provided a superb volume that is sure to be received with open arms by many. While it would be difficult to pick a favorite volume from within the BTNT series, if pressed, Garland would be at the top of the list. It will be off my bookshelf with much frequency.
I received a review copy of these books in exchange for and honest review. 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
A Theology of Mark’s Gospel: Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God is the fourth volume in the projected eight-volume BTNT series. Like the other volumes in the series, A Theology of Mark’s Gospel seeks to (1) survey recent scholarship and the state of research, (2) provide a treatment of relevant introductory issues, (3) present a thematic commentary that follows the overall flow of the narrative, (4) discuss important individual themes, and (5) interact with the relationship between the gospel of Mark and the rest of the New Testament and the Bible.
A Theology of Mark’s Gospel opens and Garland immediately orients the reader for the study ahead. Having written two successful commentaries on the Gospel of Mark already, Garland is well-positioned to survey the recent trends of Markan scholarship, and provides a helpful starting point and framework for the less familiar reader. Following the brief orientation, Garland carries the conversation forward and tackles traditional introductory issues such as authorship, provenance and date, audience, etc. Each of these topics are treated with judicious detail and thoroughly documented throughout.
After the introductory material is set as a foundation, Garland guides the reader through the Gospel of Mark and provides a literary reading of the narrative. Garland is extremely helpful here and shows that he is well-acquainted with the Second Gospel. The remainder of the volume seeks to address various theological themes and topics within the Gospel of Mark. The highpoints are numerous, but there are several that would suffice the purchase price of the volume alone. Three such examples would be Garland’s examination of the Christological titles, Mark’s eschatology, and a lengthy discussion on discipleship and missions.
I have been a fan of the BTNT series since the initial volume was released in 2009. Not only does the BTNT series bridge a much-needed gap on the bookshelf by providing a thorough investigation of a given book through the lenses of biblical theology, but the series is intentionally designed for easy reference and usability. It is within this marriage between scholarship and usability that Garland has provided the reader a volume that is sure to shine brightly in an ever-growing market of Markan material. Each topic is well-documented and discussed, the chapters open with a thoroughly distilled bibliography, and everything addressed in the volume is easily discoverable within the detailed table of contents.
A Theology of Mark’s Gospel: Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God by David E. Garland offers the reader and up-to-date and in-depth discussion of the Second Gospel. From the introductory orientation to the detailed dialogue of the disputed passages at the close of the Gospel, and the various theological themes in between, Garland has provided a superb volume that is sure to be received with open arms by many. While it would be difficult to pick a favorite volume from within the BTNT series, if pressed, Garland would be at the top of the list. It will be off my bookshelf with much frequency.
I received a review copy of these books in exchange for and honest review. 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
April 14, 2020
This is a wonderfully rich, deep resource on the Gospel of Mark. If you're going to be preaching/studying through Mark, and could only buy one book, I would recommend this one.
Garland seems to have a few unique interpretations that I didn't agree with (ex. Jesus' harsh rejection of the entire temple enterprise, a positive interpretation of the women's silence at the end of Mark). But this was fantastic. His chapters on discipleship would be excellent standalone reads.
Another huge positive is that the prose in this book is great, and now I'm wondering more about how integral good prose is to good theology.
Garland seems to have a few unique interpretations that I didn't agree with (ex. Jesus' harsh rejection of the entire temple enterprise, a positive interpretation of the women's silence at the end of Mark). But this was fantastic. His chapters on discipleship would be excellent standalone reads.
Another huge positive is that the prose in this book is great, and now I'm wondering more about how integral good prose is to good theology.
January 6, 2017
This is an excellent “hybrid commentary” that combines elements of a traditional commentary with topical-theological surveys of the book. Garland excels at mapping out the key themes in the Gospel and addresses them adequately.
I think more could be done with “Discipleship in Mark” but this is a huge topic and the book was running a bit long as is.
I think more could be done with “Discipleship in Mark” but this is a huge topic and the book was running a bit long as is.
December 15, 2015
Wrote a review here: http://www.westernseminary.edu/transf... Worth having on my shelf, though I don't think I'm the audience this particular series was intended for. Good for those who are into the "Biblical Theology" movement/trend.
May 9, 2016
I was asked to review this volume for the Stone-Campbell Journal. My review with be available in the Fall 2016 issue.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews