"This commentary offers the first sustained attempt to read the Gospel of Mark both as an ancient biography and as a form of ancient rhetoric. Ben Witherington applies to Mark the socio-rhetorical approach for which he is well known, opening a new perspective on the earliest Gospel that also emphasizes Mark's theological and ethical interests and purposes. Based on a fresh translation of the Greek text, Witherington's commentary makes clear Mark's focus on the identity of Jesus, on the importance of knowing who he is - the Christ, the Son of God - in order to properly understand why he had to die. Among the valuable features of this commentary are special sections designed to help modern readers of Mark apply the text to life today and excurses that highlight technical topics for scholars and more advanced Bible students."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved