Saturday, December 24, 2011

Mark Commentaries

In preparation for a research project, I was wondering if any of you out there had some suggestions on commentaries for Mark's Gospel? I covet your suggestions and more importantly, the reasons for your suggestions. I am embarrassed to say, despite my ever-growing library, I only own one Mark commentary, that of Ben Witherington, in the Socio-Rhetorical series (Eerdmans).

6 comments:

Robert Angison said...

I've used the Anchor Bible (2 vols) by Marcus, the NIGTC by RT France, NAC by Brooks, and finally the BECNT by Stein.

Granted I'm coming from an evangelical perspective but the France and Brooks contributions were very helpful for my exegetical work,

Mike K said...

Hi, I have a post that lists a number of commentaries on Mark at http://ntmark.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/english-commentaries-on-mark/. In my view, the best recent commentaries are Adela Collins Hermeneia commentary and Joel Marcus for Anchor Bible, for the in-depth knowledge of Greco-Roman and Jewish backgrounds respectively and their in-depth treatments.

Mike K said...

Hi, I have listed a number of English commentaries at http://ntmark.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/english-commentaries-on-mark/. I think the best commentaries on the list are by Joel Marcus and Adela Collins for the wealth of Jewish and Greco-Roman background respectively and their in-depth treatments.

simon said...

Dick France in the NIGNTC series is excellent. I'm a pastor and NT teacher and find France to be both academically rigorous and pastorally well-informed and sensitive.

Matthew D. Montonini said...

Thanks, Robert, Mike, and Simon! Looks like I have some shopping to do!

Joel Ellis said...

I'll throw in my support for France as well. Excellent insights. On a far more accessible but still edifying note, I enjoyed reading Edward's volume on Mark in the Pillar series. It is not technical, but I found it a pleasant and encouraging read. But I'm biased, because I love Mark's gospel.