This insightful commentary, which first appeared some years ago in the Good News Commentary series, is now recast in the NIV and a clear new format for greater accessibility. Hurtado displays an uncommon appreciation for the entire Gospel of Mark and its original audience, making their concerns understandable to modern readers. He masterfully highlights Marks unique emphases, such as the messianic secrecy and the portrayal of the seemingly obtuse disciples who become an object lesson. Both Bible students and scholars will find this commentary engaging.
I love to see how the old testament and new testament fit together as one story and Mr. Hurtado must love it too because he does an amazing job of letting you know the OT references for so many passages. Early on, he points out that Mark's audience would have known the reference and I encourage you to have a separate copy of the Bible handy to look it up; it brings so much more clarity to Jesus' parables and statements! He is generous with providing the original meanings of key phrases and concepts, and that also helps me see things in a more comprehensive way (eg what it means to be 'like a child' - not quite what you think, I'd guess!). The book is smart but very readable and this gospel is now the most Marked-up (haha) book in my bible from all the fascinating things I learned I didn't want to forget.