The Gospel According to Mark (New Collegeville Bible Commentary series)

My professional study of Mark's Gospel began with a course at Catholic Theological Union given by Don Senior, C.P. After receiving my M.A. from CTU I have taught Mark's Gospel and preached it over several liturgical cycles. To my enthusiastic awe, this commentary gave me many new insights. To highlight a few: 1) Marie Noonan Sabin's explanation of one of Mark's key words, "ectasy" opened up meaning in the conclusion of Mark's Gospel at chapter 16:8. Her translation: "And going out, they fled the tomb, for trembling and ecstasy possessed them, and they said nothing to anyone because they were filled with awe." 2) This translation then helped to discount with careful explanation the later addition of endings to Mark's Gospel. 3) She comments on the Transfiguration in this way: "Mark has not placed the scene of Jesus' resurrection at the end of his Gospel but here in the middle, where it illuminates both halves of his Gospel." 4) Her portrayal of Jesus as a Wisdom figure is illustrated in numberous ways through the Gospel. 5) She emphasizes the difference in the treatment by Mark of women, contrasting it with Mark's treatment of men disciples. 6) Her comments on the scene in the Garden: "...all the elements of the transfiguration scene are reversed. ...instead of being radiant and dazzling, Jesus is troubled and distressed. Instead of ascending up a mountain, Jesus falls to the ground. Instead of being blessed by the Father, Jesus cries out to the Father to take away his coming suffering and death. Peter, who is so roused by the moment of transfiguration that he wants to celebrate it, falls asleep. ...Mark shows Jesus not addressing him here as Peter but reverting to Simon, the name he had before he became a disciple." 7) She elucidates Mark's direct reference of the Hebrew Scriptures as well as veiled references. The commentary is in understandable language which nourishes one's relationship with Jesus.

In a word, Sabin's commentary on Mark is outstanding. If you are new to the second Gospel and want an overview that examines the major themes in a theological context you can't do any better. I have the feeling it might have been written for an intro class in Mark in either college or seminary, and that turns out to be a major plus, because she never gets sidetracked into minutiae; instead she writes succinctly while offering excellent theological insight into the text. Take a look at the preview and you'll see what I mean. All in all, and excellent addition to Markan studies.

I was misled by the claim that this book was not "marred" by notes or other markings. This book has notes and underlined passages, with writing, all through the text. Quite disappointing, as I never purchase used books with notes or writing.

A lot of the commentary refers to translation issues, found it more helpful to a theology major than myself, a casual student.

Sabin does a thorough job of showing the power of Jesus' miracles in this commentary. Her insight into this scripture helps students appreciate the traditional rhetoric behind Mark's writing style. I completely enjoyed her ability to get novice student understand the spiritual and political tie-ins that Jesus Christ of Nazareth spoke through His parables.

Lots of notes and highlighted, I want new.

An easy, quick read that is nonetheless dense with information.

I found this to be informative and easy for most people to read.