Includes bibliographical references (p. xvii-xxxvii) and indexes.

About the Gospel of Mark. A. What Sort of Book? B. Mark's Gospel as a 'Drama in Three Acts'. C. Mark the Storyteller. D. The Message of Mark. E. The Origin of the Book. F. Mark in Relation to Matthew and Luke -- The Heading (1:1) -- The Prologue: Setting the Scene - The Dramatis Personae (1:2-13) -- Act One: Galilee (1:14-8:21). Introduction: The Essential Message of Jesus (1:14-15). The Formation of the 'Jesus Circle' (1:16-20). Preaching and Healing: General Impression (A Day in Capernaum) (1:21-39). Controversial Aspects of Jesus' Ministry (1:40-3:6). Wide Recognition of Jesus' Authority to Heal (3:7-12). Varying Responses to Jesus: Supporters and Opponents (3:13-35). Explanatory Discourse: The Paradox of the Kingdom of God (4:1-34). Further Revelations of Jesus' Unique Authority (4:35-5:43). Not Everyone Is Impressed by Jesus (6:1-6). Jesus' Mission Extended through the Disciples (6:7-30). A Sequence of Miracles around the Lake: Who Is Jesus? (6:31-56). A Foretaste of Confrontation in Jerusalem: The Issue of Purity (7:1-23). The Mission Extended to Neighbouring Peoples (7:24-8:10). Summary So Far: Both Opponents and Supporters Still Have a Lot to Learn (8:11-21) -- Act Two: On the Way to Jerusalem (Learning about the Cross) (8:22-10:52). First Healing of a Blind Man (8:22-26). Learning to Recognise Jesus (8:27-9:13). Success and Failure in Exorcism (9:14-29). More Lessons about the Way of the Cross (9:30-50). The Revolutionary Values of the Kingdom of God (10:1-31). Following Jesus in the Way of the Cross (10:32-45). Second Healing of a Blind Man (10:45-52) -- Act Three: Jerusalem (11:1-16:8). Throwing Down the Gauntlet (11:1-25). Confrontation with the Jerusalem Establishment (11:27-13:2). Explanatory Discourse: The End of the Old Order (13:3-35). Setting the Scene for the Passion (14:1-11). Last Hours with the Disciples (14:12-42). The Arrest and Trials of Jesus (14:43-15:15). The Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of Jesus (15:16-47). The Empty Tomb (16:1-8).

"This work is a commentary on Mark itself, not a commentary on commentaries of Mark. It deals immediately and directly with matters that France himself regards as important. Working from his own translation of the Greek text and culling from helpful research into the world of first-century Palestine, France provides an extensive introduction to Mark's Gospel, followed by insightful section and verse commentary."--BOOK JACKET.