Mark by the Book: A New Multidirectional Method for Understanding the Synoptic Gospels

“I commend Mark by the Book for four reasons. First, experience: it is the product of years of teaching. Second, focus: it is crystal clear, insightful, Christ centered. Third, practicality: it works. The author has successfully used it to train students how to interpret Scripture better. Fourth, fruit: the result is better handling of God’s Word, more love for Jesus, and a greater zeal to spread the good news—four very good things!”

“What a wonderful idea—a commentary for redemptive–historical preaching! Here we have a skillful unfolding of the message of Mark, first by close examination of the text, not verse by verse, but by looking intently at the Gospel’s crucial, life–changing stories—stories that reveal to us the character, person, and deeds of JesusDr. Smuts has clearly immersed himself in Mark, not as an isolated text but as part of Gods whole Bible addressed to God’s whole people, and here is the fruit of his study: informed, accessible, enthusiastic, and pastoral.”

“We are blessed with scholarly commentaries on Mark’s Gospel as well as more popular surveys. Rarer are those that bring out the richness of the text with the research of the former and the pastoral sensitivity of the latter...This approach exposes the meaning in each pericope with powerful effect and remarkable insight. I highly recommend this exploration of Mark.”