WORD BIBLICAL COMMENTARY

VOLUME 34B

Mark 8:27–16:20

CRAIG A. EVANS

General Editors

Bruce M. Metzger

David A. Hubbard*

Glenn W. Barker*

Old Testament Editor

John D. W. Watts

New Testament Editor

Ralph P. Martin

Associate Editors

James W. Watts, Old Testament

Lynn Allan Losie, New Testament

THOMAS NELSON PUBLISHERS

NASHVILLE

Word Biblical Commentary

Mark 8:27–16:20

Copyright © 2001 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Main entry under title:

Word biblical commentary.

Includes bibliographies.

1. Bible—Commentaries—Collected Works.

BS491.2.W67 220.7´7 81-71768

ISBN 0-8499-0253-3 (vol. 34b) AACR2

Scripture quotations in the body of the commentary, unless otherwise indicated, are generally from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Old Testament Section, Copyright 1952, New Testament Section, First Edition, Copyright 1946, Second Edition, © 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and are used by permission. The author’s own translation of the Scripture text appears in italic type under the heading Translation.

To

the memory of

Robert A. Guelich

Contents

Editorial Preface

Author’s Preface

Abbreviations

Commentary Bibliography

General Bibliography

Introduction

Are the Synoptics the Oldest Gospels?

Synoptic Problem

Text of Mark

Special Note: Have Fragments of Mark Been Found at Qumran?

When Was Mark Written?

Genre of Mark

Theology of Mark

Purpose of Mark

Text and Commentary

V. Summons to the Discipleship of Suffering (8:27–9:50)

A. The Confession and Rebuke of Peter (8:27–33)

B. Teaching on Suffering and Discipleship (8:34–9:1)

C. The Transfiguration (9:2–8)

D. “Why Must Elijah Come First?” (9:9–13)

E. The Healing of the Boy with an Unclean Spirit (9:14–29)

F. Jesus Again Foretells His Passion (9:30–32)

G. Who Is the Greatest? (9:33–37)

H. He Who Is Not against Us Is for Us (9:38–41)

I. Temptations to Sin (9:42–50)

VI. Journey through Perea and Judea (10:1–45)

A. Teaching about Divorce (10:1–12)

B. Entry into the Kingdom (10:13–31)

C. The Third Prediction of the Passion (10:32–34)

D. James and John’s Request (10:35–45)

VII. Jesus Confronts Jerusalem (10:46–13:37)

A. Blind Bartimaeus (10:46–52)

B. The Triumphal Entry (11:1–11)

C. The Cursing of the Fig Tree (11:12–14, 20–21)

D. Jesus’ Action in the Temple (11:15–19)

E. Lessons of Faith (11:22–26)

F. The Question of Jesus’ Authority (11:27–33)

G. The Parable of the Wicked Vineyard Tenants (12:1–12)

H. Paying Taxes to Caesar (12:13–17)

I. The Question about Resurrection (12:18–27)

J. The Great Commandment (12:28–34)

K. The Question about David’s Son (12:35–37)

L. Denunciation of Scribes (12:38–40)

M. The Widow’s Offering (12:41–44)

N. The Eschatological Discourse (13:1–37)

1. The Prediction of the Destruction of the Temple (13:1–2)

2. The Coming Woes (13:3–13)

3. The Great Tribulation ...