The Gospel in Motion: Best Commentaries on Mark
Mark is a high-octane introduction to the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as such, it is “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).
Dane Ortlund suggests that it’s in the book of Mark where readers are confronted with the scandal of Jesus the King being treated like a criminal [1], or as Jonathan Edwards put it, “The lion being treated as a sacrificial lamb.” [2] Mark is a high-octane introduction to the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as such, it is “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). The following list of recommended commentaries should be a help and tool for those trying to be faithful in preaching and teaching through the shortest, and what is likely the earliest, of the four gospels.
Note: I have organized the commentaries categorically in terms of commentary type or style (Academic/Scholarly, Verse by Verse/Accessible, Homiletical/Popular Level).
Academic/Scholarly – Commentaries that have extensive historical analysis and research behind them as they also deal extensively with the text in the original language, and have clearly consulted the bulk of the available and relevant literature, both critical and evangelical.
R.T. France, The Gospel of Mark – New International Greek Testament Commentary
France’s work on the Gospels consistently tops lists of recommended commentaries. This scholarly work on Mark is no exception. France is a world-class scholar, but is consistently accessible for readers. His introduction is extensive and his commentary works through his own translation of the original language. His arguments and comments on the text of Mark are careful and faithful.
Adela Yarbro Collins, Mark – Hermeneia
Thomas Schreiner includes Collins’ work on Mark among his list of “Recommended New Testament Commentaries for Evangelical Pastors”. I had to join him by including her work on mine as well. Collins does well to work through issues ranging from historical-critical perspectives, Greco-Roman historical perspectives, linguistic and stylistic expertise, and more. She dialogues with a wide range of scholarly work on Mark throughout her commentary as well.
Verse by Verse/Accessible – Commentaries that provide helpful and enlightening historical insights while commenting in fair depth on every verse in the book, without going too deep into text criticism or the original languages. These commentaries deal helpfully with the theology of the books at hand.
James Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark – Pillar New Testament Commentary
This is my top-rated Mark commentary. Edwards strikes the balance of thorough engagement with the text, the minds of his readers, and their hearts. One could read Edwards on Mark, along with the Gospel itself for their devotional edification, while losing nothing of scholarly engagement with the textual matters and issues at hand. Edwards on Mark may be my top commentary I own on any book of the Bible. The Pillar NT Commentary series is consistently helpful and Edwards not only fits the bill but sets the standard.
William Lane, The Gospel of Mark – New International Commentary on the New Testament
Derek Thomas lists Lane’s commentary on Mark among his “Essential NT Commentaries for a Preacher’s Library”, and I couldn’t agree more. Many have rightly called it a classic. Lane is faithful, insightful, thorough, textual, richly theological, and still manages to be clear and practical.
David E. Garland, A Theology of Mark’s Gospel, Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God – Biblical Theology of the New Testament
This volume in this series, edited by Andreas J. Köstenberger, thrives in the way it covers the thematic elements of the Gospel of Mark, is thoroughly Evangelical, and treats the theological aspects of Mark without compromising on the textual detail.
Mark L. Strauss, Mark – The Gospel Coalition
In terms of accessibility and faithfulness, Strauss’ free commentary on TGC cannot be outdone. It’s like having ESV Study Bible level notes for free and accessible all the time. It gives a great outline to use as a map for preaching through the book, and is extremely user friendly for anyone willing and able to use online commentaries.
Homiletical/Popular Level – Commentaries that provide summarizing insights that read more like a sermon and deal more with application than interpretation. These can be particularly helpful to reference toward the end of the sermon preparation process.
Timothy Keller, Jesus the King - Penguin Random House
Keller, as always is relentlessly gospel-centred. This volume has limitations as it doesn’t cover every passage in Mark’s Gospel, but it is littered with careful and thoughtful application, and always thinks about every passage as it anticipates what Christ would do on the cross. Collin Hansen says, “This is the book where Keller hits his stride as an author. Keller directs readers’ gazes toward the cross and will not allow them to look away.”
J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Mark - Banner of Truth
Preachers who work through the Gospels would do well to have Ryle’s expository thoughts on their shelves. Ryle’s work, while hundreds of years old, is so relevant and useful for readers and preachers today. It is devotionally rich, convicting, quotable, and weighty.
Donald English, The Message of Mark – The Bible Speaks Today
Like many of the volumes in this series, English’s the Message of Mark writes as someone who believes and loves the gospel and the Christ of Mark. English shoes a thorough and thoughtful engagement with various other commentaries, synthesizing and summarizing the meaning and message of Mark with clarity and simplicity.
Other Helpful Mark Resources
Dane Ortlund, Surprised by Jesus - Evangelical Press
While not a commentary on Mark, Ortlund works through the theme of grace as it works through all four gospels. His section on Mark would be a help for preachers to read and reference in the late stages of sermon preparation. Dane’s style is refreshing and humble as he tries to re-introduce readers to the real Jesus. He often says, “The Jesus you are bored of isn’t the real Jesus.”
Dane Ortlund, Knowing the Bible: Mark – A Twelve Week Practical Study Series on the Book of Mark
In partnership with Crossway Books, TGC has made this excellent Bible-study resource available for free! Preachers should take advantage of this resource as they prepare to preach and teach, and as they point their people to helpful and cost-effective resources.
Footnotes:
Ortlund, Surprised by Jesus, 69-70.
Edwards, “The Excellency of Christ”, Sermons and Discourses, 1734-1738, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 19.
