The Cross From a Distance: Atonement in Mark's Gospel

New Studies in Biblical Theology #18

by Peter G. Bolt, D.A. Carson (Editor)

"They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha. . . . And they crucified him. . . . Some women were watching from a distance." (Mark 15:22, 24, 40). At the climax of Mark's Gospel, Jesus of Nazareth is put to death on a Roman cross. The text tells us that, in that lonely hour, a group of women were watching the crucifixion "from a distance." In a sense, they are given a stance toward the cross that we can share. In this exploration of Mark's Gospel, Peter G. Bolt looks at why the cross is so prominent in the narrative, asks what contribution Mark's teaching can make to our understanding of the atonement, and shows how this teaching can inform, correct and enrich our own preaching of the gospel in the contemporary world. This New Studies in Biblical Theogy volume helps us to stand in wonder before the God who has come close to us in the cross of Jesus Christ and to live in hope for the better things to come. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

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

213 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2004

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

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this. Particularly chapters 2, 4 and 5. Interested but unconvinced by the argument regarding Mark 13.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to prepare to teach the gospel of Mark again this year at our ministry’s chapter camp. Dr. Bolt gives us a well-research and thoughtful guide to Mark’s gospel.

- I found the section on the abolition of religion to be helpful, but it needed some nuance regarding the sense in which religion remains a helpful term.
- The chapter on the passion predictions was awesome. I had never noticed the “handing over to the Gentiles” theme in the OT.
- The chapter in the Oliver Discourse was FASCINATING! I don’t think I agree with him, but this was a bold reading with much to consider.
- The discussion of the cry of dereliction was odd. I don’t know why this is a troublesome text, and he dismisses Nyssa and Augustine’s helpful work in a footnote, though their position I think needs to be the default.
- The chapter on the resurrection had lots of neat background from the Roman understanding of the afterlife that shed light into Mark’s original audience.

[Cameron McCartney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah Mark’s Gospel, how the Christian wrestles with it… This book gives a wonderful overview of the book of Mark as a coherent whole, which ascends toward the cross and resurrection of Christ. I found Bolt’s take on Mark 13 very helpful. Not sure if I agree but he’s made a good case nonetheless, which would fit in with the wider narrative of the book. I also liked his explanation of Eloi eloi lema sabachthani, hinting that the big point is not so much that Jesus is separated from God but instead that God chose not to rescue Jesus on the cross, and hence, Jesus feels forsaken. I really liked how he structured the book, he had me hooked in chapter 1 and still learning lots in chapter 5. This is a great book to read during this lent period, as we once again approach the cross from a distance.

[Shane Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. Bolt provides a wonderful example of biblical theology, rich with theological reflection and careful (and intriguing!) intertextuality.

My love for Christ deepened, and my wonder at God's word enlarged. Bolt's thesis is this: the cross in Mark is the paradoxical event in which simultaneously we stand at a distance from yet it is precisely the point in time in which God draws near.

Brief summary: the cross abolishes religion and institutes faith; the cross is central to Mark's 'gospel' and reveals God's mercy in a world under the shadow of death; on the cross the world comes to an end as the Son of Man endures the wrath of God (with a fascinating take on Mark 13—no spoilers!); in the cross God paradoxically drew near; the cross is our ultimate and animating hope.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a helpful book for understanding Mark's gospel. Both theologically rich and well applied. Wonderful to think about the work of Jesus Christ on the cross who gave "his life as a ransom for many."

[Cameron Barham]

“Jesus has not come to be absorbed by this religion of tears. He is the bridegroom bringing the great time of the last days’ feasting when the shroud of death is finally cast away once and for all.”, p. 26

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with an interesting, and somewhat helpful perspective on the Gospel of Mark. Everything in the Gospel points ahead to the cross.

[Nathan Leopard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a solid book. But he made a very interesting observation about Olivet and specifically Mark 13:35 that I had never heard.

32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” - Mark 13:32-37

He interestingly ties these times to events that will very soon take place.

Mark 14:17 – “When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.”

Mark 14:32-50 – While midnight is not used it is clear the praying in Gethsemane, betrayal and arrest occurs late at night. In this section the apostles specifically fail to do what Jesus told them to do in Mark 13:37 which is to “stay awake”.

Mark 14:72 – “Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.”

Mark 15:1 – “Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.”

[Douglas Fyfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've dipped in and out of this over the years, but it was great to finally read all the way through it. Bolt reads Mark through the lens of the atonement, showing how everything in the Gospel ought to be read in light of the climactic event of the cross.

There were one or two points which were a little odd - there was a focus in the final chapter on the resurrection, which we can infer, but not see, in the conclusion of Mark. This was linked to a long discussion about apotheosis, and the beliefs regarding the post-mortem fates of the Caesars. I felt like this was unnecessary; an argument with others which we weren't privy to.

But otherwise, a really engrossing book, and key reading for anyone who wishes to embark on serious study on the Gospel of Mark.

[Darren Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Biblical, but boring and dry. It does have some devotional reflections but it is still dry.

Most of the exegetical insights and the wider biblical connections that were drawn in this book I believe you can get from most of the academic commentaries.

Felt like this book is all over the place in spending most of it on observations, surveying, drawing connections to OT, and looking at various agendas. The atonement theme was certainly looked at but it does feel like this wasn't the main focus as per the title of the book.

Furthermore, I'm not convinced about Bolt's take on Mark 13, but that's ok because it is only a small part of the book, one of the many things that were discussed.

If you want a book that spent most of the time on making observations and stating the obvious, I guess then this book is for you. Whereas for me, I prefer a more analytical book.

[Jon Chin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok.

The exposition on Mark 13 (eschatological discourse) as being fulfilled in the events of the crucifixion is an intriguing proposition. From a literary standpoint, I can see how it works, but I'm not so sure it's "THE way" to interpret it.

This book lacks in application as it seems to present itself more as a thematic exegetical essay; the application at the end of each chapter sounds like a conclusion at best.

The Greek words can be removed as this work does not present itself to be overly technical. The space saved can be replaced with theological reflections from a Bible Overview standpoint or actual pastoral care applications.

[W. Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without a doubt a very insightful work that opened my eyes to how much Mark alludes to the cross in the gospel. Bolt shows us that many phrases that we often take for granted (e.g., deliver him over to the Gentiles... Mark 10:33) often has a deeper meaning if we understand how they allude to various concepts or ideas in the Old Testament. It can be a laborious read but I guess this type of work is not meant for your nightstand! This book helped me a lot in writing my paper on the meaning of Jesus' death in Mark's gospel.

[Amos Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Although the cross is at a distance from us, it is still in our world. It stands as an ensign, a banner, a signal to the nations for all time, saying: ‘Here is the hope of the world.' The Son of Man's mission to the nations continues. Our world is without real hope and will decline further unless the good news of the crucified Christ is widely preached and believed. It is time for a new call to proclaim that the only hope for the world rests in the crucified Son of God. The whole world needs to hear the good news once again. In this cross at a distance, God has come close.”

[Ray Clendenen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book full of theological, exegetical, and spiritual insights on Mark's Gospel and the atonement through the crucified Christ. I highly recommend it. His interesting interpretation of Jesus's Olivet discourse in Mark 13 alone is worth the price and time to read the book. His study of death and the afterlife in the Greco-Roman world is also fascinating.

[Doug Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful work on the atonement in the book of Mark. His interpretation of chapter 13 is the least convincing, but still helpful. A good conservation biblical theology in a good series. Highly recommend.

[Rohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful focus on how Mark builds his story to focus on the climax of the cross.
Perhaps a bit haphazard in structure, but felt easy to read despite the scholarly nature of his argument.

[Nick Roark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful

[Kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some fresh and helpful insight along the way. The applications at the end of each chapter seemed out-of-place, and the interpretation of Mark 13 is unconvincing to me.

[Mike Conroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! This book did a wonderful job of putting my nose in the text of Mark and seeing connections to the OT that I never saw before

[Mundy Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book. I've often looked at it, and thought: "wow - probably too technical" and have missed out. He walks us through Mark's gospel with some helpful themes, carefully considered, and helpfully explained. I found a lot of wealth in his book which I will draw from when next I preach through Mark.

Of particular interest were his thoughts on Mark 13 (the so-called apocalyptic discourse), and how the chapter relates to the cross of Jesus, rather than his return. Not sure I'm on board, but it was a refreshing and well-argued chapter.

I'd recommend this book to anyone thinking of preaching Mark, or anyone who is keen to dig a little deeper into that gospel - this is good stuff.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. Not great, but good. I read this as I was preparing to lead an inductive study in the book of Mark and appreciated this as a resource to think about Atonement theology in and through Mark's gospel. A helpful resource, if a bit focused a little too strongly on atonement theology as substitionary in my mind.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging read that elevates the cross as the means by which a "distant God" came near. The section on Mark 13 as a precursor to the passion narrative is worthy of healthy consideration.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title in the highly-respected New Studies in Biblical Theology (NSBT) series published by IVP addresses the subject of the atonement in Mark’s Gospel. Since we see this subject showing up profusly in the latest commentaries on the Book of Mark, this volume will be a great addition to your shelves on Mark.

In his Introduction, Mr. Bolt explains his reasons for why he feels this is an important subject today. He explains the great number of chapters dedicated to the Passion and the journey to the cross as being a prime consideration. He further explains, of course, the centrality of the cross to the entire New Testament. That centrality makes the atonement an important subject everywhere it’s mentioned in any biblical book. You will find that Mr. Bolt accepts the history of Mark and seeks to draw his conclusions directly from the pages of the Gospel of Mark.

In chapter 1 we find a discussion of the cross and the “abolition of religion” that is commonly discussed in some circles. He works through that subject both in the details of Mark’s Gospel and a review of scholarly opinion and then reaches a conservative conclusion that honors a strong Christology. Chapter 2 is even better where he discusses the necessity of the cross. He uncovers a great deal of wonderful information in that chapter. In chapter 3 he discusses apocalyptic concerns while chapter 4 relates Christ’s reception among men. The final chapter adds the resurrection and our future hope to the discussion to great advantage. Be sure to notice his discussion of the effect of the Roman world on Mark’s Gospel as well as an explanation for what the Roman soldier meant at the cross when he called Jesus the Son of Man.

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.