Mark for Everyone by Tom Wright

Mark for Everyone Reviews

• 
  Neil R. Coulter

  N. T. Wright looks at Mark’s Gospel, section by section, keeping the comments always closely focused on the practical, what the content means for our everyday lives today. I appreciate Wright’s highlighting of the way Mark sandwiches one story in the middle of another story. Wright keeps in mind the shape of the whole book as it progresses toward its conclusion. Of course the big question when reading anyone’s commentary on Mark is what they think the actual ending of the book is. Wright believes there’s an ending by Mark that’s been lost along the way. The original ending was not “And they were afraid,” nor is it either of the other endings that have been added. That makes sense to me, but there’s no way we can know for sure.
• 
  Christopher

  Mr. Wright continues his multi-volume examination of the New Testament with this single volume on the shortest Gospel story, the book of Mark. Mr. Wright captures the breathless pace that Mark's narrative moves through very well and also encapsulates his own theories and beliefs on the world-changing message of Jesus. His commentary on Mark 15, dealing with the crucifixion of Christ, is not to be missed. However, like his volumes on Matthew and (I'm sure) other volumes in this series, it is definitely more for the layman than a biblical scholar. Still, this is a fine complement to anyone's study of the New Testament in general and Mark in particular. If you are looking to dive in a little deeper into the Gospel, start here.
• 
  Tim

  I have given every one of Wright's for Everyone series I have read five stars (Luke, Romans 1-8, the Prison Epistles), they all have been excellent. Somehow this Mark one seems even more excellent. Maybe it is its appropriateness for the Lenten season through which I accidently read it. Maybe it is Wright's ability to make fresh Mark's familiar stories, and to reveal connections within the entire book and with the Old Testament that make every section insightful, almost revelatory. A wonderful book for devotion and study, perfect for Lent, and to prod the slothful (me at least) deeper into Scripture.
• 
  Angus Mcfarlane

  This is a good way to get through the gospel of Mark. Broken up into broadish sections, Wright usually starts with an anecdote of some sort which provides a path into the text, and then elaboration on some of the key ideas. Wright’s perspective is both biblical and orthodox but, refreshingly, tied to the text rather than retrofitting it with modern evangelicalism. I’ve not made many highlights but ones I did included: the fact signposts aren’t needed once one reaches the destination; the action orientation of the gospels and Pauls letters, cognizant of a looming challenge; the parables as a cartoon intended to disguise the controversial content; Mary’s unawareness of Jesus agenda in the early days; sewing unshrunk cloth onto old clothes; the need to bring the freshness of Jesus baptism to the modern church in the way it would have to the early church. No real theme there that I can tell but I think the discussion of the parables was the most satisfying, Wright recognising as I have in recent years that they are politically loaded not just clever morality tales.
• 
  Curtis

  This brief commentary is a wonderful introduction to the gospel according to Mark that helps frame the dynamic narrative going on as Jesus proclaims the kingdom and clashes with the religious and political authorities in the first century. While it doesn't get into all the depth possible this work is a great place to start in understanding why Mark is such a wonderful work and the powerful themes going on within it.
• 
  Wilhelmina Jenkins

  N. T. Wright's whole series "For Everyone" is beautifully done. Essential for bible study for me!
• 
  Paula Vince

  This is a great commentary for which I had to complete a Uni assignment. I took on board many fresh insights which I'd never quite grasped before, not being a New Testament Jew. Also, some cultural pre-conceptions we build as 21st century westerners were knocked on their heads. And Tom Wright has a really engaging habit of beginning each of his commentary sections with modern analogies. His personal examples to bring meaning from the scripture are often unpredictable, which piques our interest to keep reading.
  
  However, we were also asked to identify weaknesses of the text, and I think the main one is that not knowing what to expect, we can't rely on commentaries such as these as handy research tools. We have to take the threads of thought Wright chooses to give us, which are great, but certainly not exhaustive. It's more like getting a potluck dinner than entering a restaurant whose website has informed us exactly what's on the menu. And being limited to one man's thoughts goes hand in hand with being stuck with his preferences and personality. For example, Tom Wright is a music lover. Many of his comments are related to music, involving singing, orchestras, instruments and conductors. Fellow music lovers may find these anecdotes more appealing than the tone deaf or indifferent readers. For this reason, the commentary could more accurately be called, 'Mark for Some More than Others.'
  
  But on the whole, it gave me some a-ha moments, points of ponder, and deeper insight. It was time well spent.
• 
  Lydia

  Breaks up the book of Mark and then discusses the content of the text as well as the background of the book.

  This is an excellent devo book; the sections are fairly short, but have good "thinking points" that readers can ponder through out their day. I haven't personally gone through any Bible courses, though I have read the Bible a lot, so getting more of the behind the scenes "scoop" on where Mark was coming from as an author, which readers he was writing for and how they would have understood the contexts and contents was very interesting and a new perspective for me. I also think you could hand this to someone with little to no Bible knowledge and they would be able to follow along just fine, so Mr. Wright does a good job keeping true to his title of the book being "for Everyone".

  Content notes: No language issues. Some of the people were known to be "of ill repute", but usually that is said with no details. Mark, the book, contains several parables, as well as a description of Christ's crucifixion, so beatings, murders, and other violence are stated as happening and minimally described in the original text with Wright going in to slightly more detail where appropriate to help readers gain perspective, but it is never graphically gory.
• 
  Bryan Sebesta

  One thing I really like about N.T. Wright is that the guy knows how to talk to regular joe's. And he knows that all of his expertise in understanding the original context of scripture is meant for one thing: to increase faith in the world. While I don't share the same faith framework as N.T. Wright–I'm a Latter-day Saint (Mormon), after all–I still regard Mark as scripture. And I found Wright's insights really valuable. He has a good way of helping you understand what things probably meant to the people then and there, and how we might apply it to today. The book is divided up into little sections (pericopes, or literary units) and commentary is given. And it's a great format. I read a few sections each day, and finished it in a reasonable time frame. Look forward to trying it out with the other Gospels.
• 
  Jeremy Manuel

  This is the sixth book I've read in the New Testament for Everyone series, this one focuses on the book of Mark.
  
  Like the other books in this series it goes through the book a short passage at a time and then provides some commentary and insight into the passage. It's not a particularly deep look or a verse by verse look at the passage, but almost more of a devotional look at the passage. That's why this is what I use most days for my personal devotions since the sections are fairly small and make for a nice daily reading.
  
  As always with a book like this some passages make for more insights than others, but in general I like NT Wright's approach to the Bible and even when some of his reflections don't really hit me I don't tend to dislike them either.
• 
  Carol

  This book was used as a lengthy bible study at my church and, I must say, I found it very engaging and interesting. Usually these kind of books are a bit dry, but this one not so. Wright makes the scripture come alive and presents his theories and interpretations clearly and right to the point. He asks the reader some very probing questions which makes the reader really think about what was just read, and these questions in a group setting served as useful prompts for discussion. I would recommend this to any adult bible study group who is looking for a thought-provoking study of one of the more mysterious books of the Bible.
• 
  Barry

  Before reading this book I had a skeptic's chuckle to myself: I don't think of Mr. Wright being a "for everyone" kind of guy. I was, therefore, pleasantly surprised by how readable this book is. Every passage is translated from the Greek by Mr. Wright, and then he adds commentary or devotional material to each passage. Engaging, well-written, insightful, and charming, the commentaries are a delight to read and I came away learning much about the book of Mark and the life of Jesus, as well as a deepened respect for Mr. Wright as a theologian and writer.
• 
  Sam Youngblood

  Really solid, enjoyable, and approachable commentary. As the name implies, it is written “for everyone” with anecdotes and a lack of citations. However, out of Wright’s years of scholarship, he does provide great details to discern the context of Mark’s telling of the gospel and vivid reflections that are compelling.
  My only complaint is that I am not convinced that his position on Mark’s ending (that the end of the scroll was lost) is most likely from what I’ve engaged with. Besides that, a joy to read!
• 
  Jim Layman

  This book shows the skill of NT Wright in crafting a very accessible yet thoughtful and brief commentary on Mark’s Gospel. The author offers his own fresh translation of the Greek and explains themes within Mark’s account, with deep respect and appreciation for this first-century work. Wright helps contemporary readers grasp more of the culture and context for the Gospel . Also, there is a deep appreciation and reverence for Jesus, the subject of this work.
• 
  Daniel

  Made for a good devotional
  
  I thought this made for a good devotional reading. Each chapter of Mark has a short commentary that resembles a short sermon. I most appreciated how the larger themes of the Gospel of Mark were taught. In the lectionary we get small snippets, so it was helpful to look at the big picture.
• 
  Abraham Peters

  Excellent Overview of Mark
  
  This book makes an excellent devotional, with each narrative translated by the author and a short exposition of the passage. The book covers the larger themes, historical context and personal implications of Mark's gospel and is a great book for initial study.
• 
  Steve Penner

  Wright should be mandatory reading and studying for any pastor and any small group interested in what the New Testament says both within and through the culture around it. I use Wright as a resource in my studying to preach and he never fails to spark my ideas and thinking. Most excellent in every way--concise, thorough, thoughtful and truthtelling.
• 
  Frans Kempe

  A study and devotional book for the gospel of Mark. Divided up in many parts. Firsr the selected bible verses and then a commentary and inspirational reader mixing background info, theology and other stories about the content. A great book.
• 
  Michael

  Used as an aid for a group Bible study. Unsurprisingly, Wright offers a lot of helpful historical and application insights. Wright does a good job in this series boiling down the historical context and his anecdotes and analogies are often very illuminating.
• 
  Amanda

  Really good devotional-style commentary on Mark. I read it when I came to Mark in my Bible reading plan, trying to keep up with the chapter I read for the day. Wright's thoughts were helpful in understanding the text. I highly recommend.
• 
  Christian Ott

  4.5/5
  
  A wonderfully helpful and concise walkthrough in Mark. I’m amazed at the way NT Wright is able to provide so much historical and scriptural context for each story in such little space. This was an incredible resource and I’m excited to go through the other books in this series.
• 
  Joshua

  Great book as always. N.T. Wright has a great way of bringing to Bible to life while remaining faithful to the text.
• 
  Nick Roark

  Okay
• 
  Jude Morrissey

  I am loving this entire series. Wright does an excellent job of balancing historical context and personal applicability. If you're looking for a devotional walk-through of Mark, I recommend this one.