Mark

Wish the author leaned heavier on translations, but over all, I liked this commentary and have a better appreciation of Mark.

Alan Culpepper’s Mark is in many ways one of a new breed of New Testament commentaries. Its newness is relative in its adoption of a literary-critical focus, but in this commentary this perspective has modified the way traditional matters are dealt with along the way. The focus is on the text of Mark, its meaning, literary patterns and themes; Culpepper probes the text to reveal what Mark is saying and why it is expressed as it is. At the same time, the commentary pays careful attention to those elements from the past that a modern reader is not in a position to understand. Further, because the text has been the subject of study over the millennia within the community of faith, the commentary also provides access to significant voices from the past as they illuminate the text. Much of this material is succinctly concentrated in individual “sidebars.” In this way the riches from the tradition of interpretation from the earliest known readers of Mark are made accessible to the present-day readers. I estimate that there are about 280 sidebars and 130 illustrations. The sidebars, which are listed in an alphabetical index, deal with influential interpreters such as Augustine, Papias, Martin Dibelius, David Rhoads, and E. P. Sanders. Other sidebars introduce readers to relevant writings, customs, behavior patterns, beliefs, and ethics from the time of Mark. The illustrations feature notable art to illuminate the text. [Full Review]

The S&H layout make this a great commentary for pastors and bible study teachers preparing lessons. The side notes offer helpful background information that illuminates the text and will help in telling the story to an audience. It is larger than other midrange commentaries (like the NAC), but the downside is it is rather expensive.