From a team of more than 50 international scholars comes the Word Biblical Commentary Series.

Its more than 60 volumes offer the best in critical scholarship firmly committed to the authority of Scripture as divine revelation.

The wide acceptance and usefulness of the first volume on Mark 1 8:26, authored by the late Robert A. Guelich, has presented a challenge to the succeeding author, Craig A. Evans, who has nobly and capably risen to that task. Sharing many - if not most - of the viewpoints and the same commitment to scholarship and research as were evident in the first volume, Evans has produced a significant piece of Gospel exposition that both carries forward the excellent features of his predecessor and adds distinction in his own right to the Word Biblical Commentary Series.

Notable among the groundbreaking approaches the author adopts are (1) the placement of the setting of the gospel of Mark clearly within Greco-Roman culture and (2) the interpretation of the theological aim of the evangelist as a reaction to the challenge of that society. In particular, Mark's purpose is seen to be an opposition to the imperial claim to divinity and veneration, as he presents Jesus as the king who enters His kingdom by way of the cross. The vindication of Jesus in the resurrection is shown to be the divine approval on such an understanding of Jesus' mission and achievement.

Continued contemporary scholarly interest in this Gospel has been demonstrated both by the increasing volume of work produced and the expanding range of issues addressed over the past decade and more. Evans shows himself fully aware of recent trends in Markan research, with the result that students will find here an up-to-date survey of the complex field. At the same time, his style and approach preserve a user-friendly presentation that will make this book of service to a wide readership, including pastors and teachers in the church as well as scholars in the academy.

The completion of these two volumes on Mark's Gospel is an occasion for rejoicing on the part of the publishers, the editors, and especially the reader.