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Commentary Reading

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As we close in on the answer to our Text-driven question, it's vital for you to collaborate with several other scholars who have already been down this interpretive trail. These are people who have journeyed with the text of Mark for decades. They have examined the landscape of the whole book (aka, Literary context) and equally examined every forest and tree (paragraph and sentence level work). This would include the ancient Greek language of Mark as well as extensive background work in the culture and history of the first century. Finally, great church scholars also are aware of how the church has historically interpreted the material we are studying. For the most part, scholars are not about innovation but about declaring orthodoxy found in Mark’s Gospel.

I often like to start with a Bible Dictionary where you can find a general introduction to the book you are reading. In one of the earlier modules, you read Gordon Fee’s Reading the Bible: Book by Book and my commentary on Mark to grasp the literary context. But now I want you to expand your knowledge base on Mark by going a bit deeper. For the study of the Gospels, one of the best starting points would be The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, ed Joel Green. Read the chapter of the Gospel of Mark. Learn to be a thorough note-taker as you study the material. As you process through the article on Mark’s Gospel, take note of any information or evidence that will help you answer your text-driven question. This can and might include everything from quotations to bullet-points. It can refer to literary context, historical issues, word studies, etc. Let this be your introduction to the scholarship discussion of Mark. 

Note about page numbers: I promise that once you learn some of these concepts or historical issues, you will come back to this again and again. I will take a guess. In 6 months you will be looking for the reference and page number in your notes. So I encourage you to save yourself from the hassle. Make certain to place the author's name, the reference work and page number in your notes NOW. You will thank me for it later. 

Next, I am going to list out several single volume commentaries that I want you to choose from. You may have a few in your own library. You might use them in addition to choosing from the ones below. But I want you to wrestle with some first class scholars who will cause you to stretch your Interpretive skills. So, at least three (3) from the list below. Now, as a word of warning. Several of these commentaries will discuss biblical Greek. Do not be overwhelmed. Absorb all that you can and simply lay aside for now what is above your current level of knowledge. You are on a journey and we are only getting started now. 

Commentaries on the Gospel of Mark

Here is your top 10 Gospel of Mark Commentary list. Think of this as I am building a library shelf for you to walk down, brouse, and choose some wonderful options. Some of these are available as CDL versions, so there would be no direct link. After you select "view eBook," there may be several works by that author. Be sure to scroll down the list and select the correct title.

I am asking you to read methodologically through these commentaries as you integrate the interpretative work from this “Community of Faith” on the same passage you have been working on; Mark 1, 8, or 15. As you read their work, you are not simply acquiring new information about Mark. (You would be overwhelmed if that was your goal). Remember, you are reading to discover biblical and historical evidence that will help you answer your text-driven question. Or maybe even help you refine the question to make it sound more and more like the voice of Mark crying in the wilderness. Yes, these scholars are the smartest person in the room about the Gospel of Mark. But do not be impressed with all that they know. Keep in mind, their purpose is to serve you as you endeavor to unlock the truth housed within the Gospel of Mark. Plus, they are serving you as you serve your disciple-in-the-making. 

A Method for Reading the Commentaries

This is often the method I employ as I read through commentaries. And I will ask you to keep careful records of your engagement with each commentary. 

  1. Begin at the beginning. Yes, by reading the Introduction. Sometimes this is more like scanning than reading word- for-word. Longer commentaries may have quite a lengthy Introduction. The scholar must situate the story of Mark in its original historical setting. See if he/she can give you information that will assist you in the journey to answer your text driven question. Equally, in the Introduction, the writer will discuss the Literary Context of Mark. See if you are in agreement or if there are some new insights which you can gather from this experienced traveler in the Second Gospel. 
  2. Now turn your attention to the paragraph you are working on; Mark 1, 8, or 15. Usually, the last part of a Commentary Introduction is the literary outline of the entire book. The scholar will show you the verbal representation of the entire book. It will have Mark broken down into major divisions and sub-categories. Take a look at the outline and see where the major division BEFORE your paragraph takes place. Now, obviously, Mark 1:1-13 is the start. The commentary author will have to deal with the purpose and function of Mark 1 as an introduction to the Book. Read this part carefully, for it will be directly answering your text-driven question. 
    1. If you are dealing with Mark 8:27-33, check the place before your paragraph that the commentator records the major divisions in the Book. The reason is simple. It is at that major division that the writer will discuss how he/she sees the subsequent stores in Mark fitting together. Begin your reading at this introduction of the major division. Read carefully and listen to see if your understanding of the literary context of Mark aligns with that of the scholar. Make careful notes of how the parts of Mark fit into the whole and any other material that might help you with the answer of your question. If you are working on Mark 15, please follow the same pattern. 
    2. Now go to the section in the Commentary which works through detailed exegesis for your paragraph. Keep in mind, since we are dealing with strategic passages in the Book of Mark, the commentaries may vary in length from a few paragraphs to as many as 10 pages. Watch for and make careful notes on insights that will help you know this paragraph well. It might consist of structural observations that you might have missed. It might be cultural or historical background which helps you wrap your arms around the paragraph with new clarity. Possibly, there are Greek words that the scholar has done their own work on. Anything that is helpful to answer your question…or even help to tweek the question to sound more like Mark; make note of it. 
    3. Often as I read, the “Community of Faith” may confirm what I have already discovered in my earlier interpretive work. Let’s call this a faith-filled pat-on-the-back. It should instill confidence that what your eyes have seen in Observation or with word studies is correct. You can do this!
    4. Let me include here one more category that is an absolute must for this commentary work. It is when the scholar will alert you to what is called an “Echo of Scripture.” This is when a New Testament author is directly quoting or making an allusion to an Old Testament passage. For example, in Mark 15, we hear Jesus’ final cry from the cross, “My God. My God. Why have you forsaken me.” These are a direct quotation from the first line of Psalm 22. Moreover, a scholar will point out that there are several other references to Psalm 22 in Mark 15. What is the meaning of Mark’s integration of Psalm 22 into the death of Jesus? And what is its significance? We will address these OT echoes later in the Application portion of True^North.
    5. Repeat this exercise for each of the three (3) Commentaries. When you get done with each one, write a brief critique. Maybe point out how well it cites biblical or cultural evidence before drawing a conclusion. Possibly discuss its strengths or weaknesses. In the end, would you use this one again in your future study of Mark? 

A Word About Your Notes

OK. You may be wondering, “How long should my notes be?” Good question. Would you mind if I re-word your question with this one, “Have you displayed good interaction with these biblical scholars? Have you moved beyond quoting their words to engaging deeply with the implication of what they mean? Have you pondered over their insights and the significance they might have on your answer to the text-driven question? It's in this section that you are coming to grips with “what the text meant.” If this part is brief, you will really have very little to teach or preach.

Moreover, since each week in the semester is to represent 10-15 hours of work, there is ample time to do a thorough job on this section and the next one as well.

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