A very readable commentary that should leave you feeling well acquainted with Mark’s, ‘story of a crucified Messiah’. Steve takes a fairly traditional view of the author’s identity, as being the John Mark of Acts, who makes a lot of use of the reminiscences of Peter. The gospel’s three ‘key, intertwined’ themes are: ‘discipleship, opposition and suffering’. The Gospel’s ‘hinge-point’ is in Chapter 8, with Peter’s confession of Christ. Before that, Mark’s concern is with who Jesus is and after that with what Jesus came to do. The importance of the kingdom is rightly brought out – ‘The space where God’s sovereign authority is recognised and accepted’. The significance of the title ‘Son of Man’ is explored. The purpose of parables is considered: ‘not to make it easier, to understand, but actually to make it harder’. Several pages are devoted to the two feeding miracles, the first, in Mark 6, for the Jews, the second, in Mark 8, for the Gentiles. The ‘little apocalypse’ of Mark 13 is read as referring to the two climactic events of the temple’s doom and Christ’s return. Steve tackles the question of the ‘shorter’ and the ‘longer’ endings of Chapter 16, strongly favouring the original ending being at verse 8. I have to say, it often felt that I was being preached at, with lots of illustrations, three or four point sermons and exhortations, so I was not surprised to read in the preface that the book is based on a sermon series. The book’s closing paragraph rings like a preacher’s peroration! I’m not really complaining. But you ought to know what you’re getting!