Mark 1:1–8:26

Taken together, Guelich and Evans form one of the strongest technical commentaries available on Mark. Guelich’s first volume is particularly impressive in its detailed Greek exegesis, tradition and redaction criticism, and treatment of Markan theology, especially kingdom, Christology and discipleship; he is very good at showing how Mark’s arrangement of inherited material contributes to the Gospel’s distinctive portrait of both Jesus and the often-uncomprehending disciples. Evans complements him with exceptional command of Second Temple Judaism, historical background, textual issues and the passion narrative, while giving sustained attention to the Roman and imperial setting of Mark’s proclamation of the crucified Messiah. The change of author means the set lacks the unified interpretive voice of France or Marcus, but the two scholars’ strengths are remarkably complementary. Dense but consistently rewarding, the WBC volumes remain among the very best resources for serious study of Mark.

Not the first commentary I go to, but this one is still reliable, sound, detailed.

The next commentary is intense and complete, but it's incomplete in this sense: Bob Guelich, who died way too soon, began the commentary and then Craig Evans finished it [Full Review]

Before Guelich’s untimely death, he only finished the first half of his commentary on Mark. It is relatively short on introductory material, but the textual analysis is sizable and in depth. It is important to note that for those interested in redaction criticism Guelich is a must, but for those not familiar with it or uninterested in paragraphs of theories on if or why Mark might have redacted a particular verse, Guelich will be cumbersome.

[Full Review]