The Gospel According to Mark: The English Text with Introduction, Exposition, and Notes,

This book actually did more than just interpret passages for me. I actually learned how to look at Scripture properly. I also learned a lot about Jesus, even though I thought I knew a lot about Him already, and the Kingdom. Most commentaries do not cause you to think and chew on passages, but this one did. These commentaries are so far above most of the others in insight and exegesis. Great insight into why Jesus cursed the fig tree. Well done.

Simply put- this is an outstanding work on Mark's gospel. This is just a must use study tool for Mark's gospel. Explains and unpacks the meaning of the text, section by section, line by line. Gets both the details and the big picture. One of the best for sure. For serious students of the new testament. this one easily replaces all the other junk I have on Mark. wish I just would have got this in the first place.

Scholarship has moved on since this commentary was published. However, do not rush to newer, fancier looking commentaries--quite yet. William Lane has much to teach in this commentary and it is still worth the effort to carefully work through his reflections on Mark's gospel. I have used this commentary regularly in the years that I have been preparing sermons on the gospel of Mark and it has been a trusted and trustworthy companion. This is one of those books that the pastor could purchase and use with benefit to the congregation. I only wish it could be updated a bit.

William Lane, professor of Biblical Studies as Seattle Pacific University, has written a highly readable yet very scholarly commentary on Mark's gospel for the New International Commentary on the New Testament Series. Lane does an excellent job analyzing the structure and themes within Mark, explaning parables from different angles (as well as understanding one parable through the other parables), and commenting on other aspects of ancient Roman and Jewish life. This reader also appreciates the conservative approach to Lane's commentary. With so many authors attempting scholarly acrobatics to learn about the "Markan community" or practice source criticism, it is refreshing to read a scholarly commentary that holds a traditional view--Mark from the book of Acts wrote this Gospel based almost exclusively on the teachings of Peter. While many reviewers herald this "new and exciting" method of interpreting Mark, there is actually little "new" about it--the traditional conservative view of Mark that the church has always held is the view proposed by Lane. Although an excellent work, this author does have one criticism concerning the ending of Mark. While Lane is with the majority of scholars in looking down their noses at Mark 16:9ff, Lane dismisses these verses as "unoriginal" without much of a discussion. Without even reprinting the text, he criticizes those who hold to the originality of these verses as unscholarly and speculative. A fuller argument for his premature ending, a more detailed explanation of the function of this abrupt "literary device" and a short commentary on Mark 16:9ff would have been greatly appreciated by this reader, especially in the light that Lane seemingl treats the ridiculous Freer Logion as sacred writing. In all, this book is a great, mentally provocative treatment of Mark's Gospel that simply fell apart at the end. Highly recommended!

William Lane's commentary on "Mark" is very scholarly and balanced. He employs redaction criticism as his primary method to extract the most out of the "present form" of Mark's gospel and shows us how rewarding it is to do it this way. At the same time, Lane pays attention to many theological issues (such as "the Wilderness motif in Mark", "the Messianic secret", etc.) and historical/textual issues (e.g.- "Mark 16", Dead Sea Scrolls discoveries, comparisons between Peter's sermons in "Acts" and the literary/compositional style of Mark). The overall result is a commentary that is at the same time a great reference work, a great instruction manual and a great devotional tool. Personally, I became interested in many Gospel issues such as Form/Source/Redaction Criticism, the Synoptic Problem, the revelation/hidden Christ, the centrality of the Passion, etc. after reading this work. Highly recommended!