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CURRENTLY IN BOOKS
Commentary offers fresh insight into fast-paced, challenging Gospel

John Vooys

Mark Timothy J. Geddert. Believers Church Bible Commentary. Waterloo, Ont./Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 2001. 454 pp.

Mark’s Gospel is often the first one given to those wishing to know about the life and ministry of Jesus. For many, it is the favourite of the four Gospels. It is the earliest, it is fast paced, it is colourful and it is challenging. Geddert’s commentary is sure to be appreciated by those seeking a deeper understanding of Mark’s portrait of Jesus of Nazareth.

Geddert teaches New Testament at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif. Besides memorizing the whole Gospel, he also did a doctoral dissertation on Mark as part of the requirements for his Ph.D. He states, “Mark has been my special companion for many years.”

The commentary has a user-friendly format. Each section begins with a “Preview” locating it within the larger framework of the Gospel. This is then followed by “Explanatory Notes” which are “invitations to see Mark’s Gospel come alive as we read the text with care”. Also included is an examination of “The Text in Biblical Context”, linking it with themes in the Old Testament and/or New Testament. “The Text in the Life of the Church” focuses on how certain issues impact the Christian’s life in the church and the world. At the end of the commentary are a number of helpful essays dealing with challenging issues such as Jesus’ miracles, Christian discipleship and eschatology.

However, there are aspects of Geddert’s work that will cause some in the church to wonder. Not many readers will be familiar with the notion of Mark crafting his work with the use of chiasms/intercalations. And not many who read Mark will be looking for “secret meanings” in Jesus’ actions.

Geddert, nonetheless, has done a superb job of explaining the text. Helpful background information is given. When necessary Greek terms and grammar are noted to clarify the text. He often asks questions to engage his readers, followed by various options for consideration. A highlight are his fresh insights. For instance, Mark 4:11-12, which speaks of those who are “blind and deaf” to the parables of Jesus, is often interpreted to suggest God’s exclusion of some. Geddert states that the passage “does not teach that Jesus makes anyone into an outsider; outsiders are where they have chosen to be.”

Some have suggested that Mark teaches his readers discipleship by having them observe Jesus’ disciples. Yet the disciples constantly fail, and Geddert points out, “Discipleship is not learned by following their examples; it is learned from Jesus.” Jesus’ response to the rich man in Mark 10:18, “Why do you call me good?” has been interpreted in various ways (including the idea that Jesus may have failings). Geddert offers one that lines up with Mark’s agenda of hinting at Jesus’ divinity: “If you call me good, you must be prepared also to call me God.”

From the part of the Passion Narrative dealing with Jesus’ resurrection, Geddert makes it clear that there is no support for the notion that the early church replaced Jesus of Nazareth with the Christ of Faith. He points out that for Mark, “Jesus of Nazareth is the risen one. There is no Christ of faith who is not Jesus of Nazareth. Nor is there a risen one who is not the crucified one.”

One of the strongest and most helpful sections of the commentary is Geddert’s work on the Olivet Discourse (chapter 13). He defends the perspective that the chapter’s “main concerns are neither signs nor end-time speculation. It is about such familiar Markan themes as discernment, discipleship, Christology, passion and the temple.”

Geddert states in his preface that he “prepared this commentary for all who want to understand Mark’s Gospel.” I believe he has succeeded in his task; I heartily recommend this book.

John Vooys teaches at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C.

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Last modified April 26, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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