It is always a privilege to be invited to write a biblical commentary (let alone be the editor of a commentary series), and a particular privilege to write a commentary on one of the four Gospels which the early church placed at the beginning of the New Testament canon. Jesus’ followers were called <span>Christianoi</span>, ‘Messiah people’ (Acts 11:26), probably by the Roman authorities in Antioch, the capital of the Roman province of Syria, who correctly recognized that the commitment and the message of this new movement was about Jesus, whom his followers regarded as the Messiah, the Jewish saviour. The preaching of Peter and Paul in the book of Acts is focused on Jesus’ life, ministry, death and resurrection and their significance. Mark’s Gospel reflects, supports, consolidates and provides material for the proclamation of the good news of Jesus’ life and death in the early church. Mark knew that being a <span>Christianos</span>, a follower of Messiah Jesus, is connected with a particular set of convictions, but also, and even more importantly, with a personal and communal commitment to ‘the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God’ (Mark 1:1). This is why he wrote an account of Jesus’ life and death. And this is why Christians, both individually and as groups, will and must read Mark’s Gospel. It is my hope and prayer that this commentary will aid the reading and understanding of this important biblical text.

Mark (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) PDF

The list of books you might like