Lecturer: Dr Paul Thompson
paul.t@kvbcequip.org
+60 19 898 6509
Online via Google Classroom
Wednesday, 7.00pm – 10.00pm
3 units
Course Description
A study into the English text of Mark’s gospel. While there will be occasional forays into the Greek text for the benefit of those also learning Greek, all assessment will be based upon the English text. In particular, classes will demonstrate historical-grammatical exegesis of the text to improve students’ own ability to do likewise. Therefore, classes will emphasise the process of exegeting the text in conversation with one main partner (France) and supplemented by two others (Edwards and Stein), rather than the lecturer merely delivering a polished version of his own exegetical study. The text’s applicability to contemporary Malaysian readers will also be frequently discussed.
Course Aims
Gain further expertise in exegeting the Biblical text through textual observation.
- Improve their reasoning ability to argue for their own exegetical conclusions over and against
alternative interpretations. - Have a thorough understanding of the English text of Mark’s gospel in its first century AD context.
- Begin to apply the text’s authorial intent to contemporary Malaysian readers.
These aims prioritise the exegetical process above the Biblical content. This is intentional. Grading will follow.
| Date | Class | Lecture | Length (Hrs) | Content | Pre-class reading / observation |
| 24/6/2026 | 1 | 1-2 | 3 | Introduction Mark 1:1–15 | Edwards, Mark, 1–21; France, Mark, x, 1–45; Stein, Mark, xi–xiv, 1–37 |
| 1/7/2026 | 2 | 3-4 | 3 | 1:14–3:6 | 1:14–45 |
| 8/7/2026 | 3 | 5-6 | 3 | 3:7–4:34 | 3:7–35 |
| 15/7/2026 | 4 | 7-8 | 3 | 4:35–6:6 | 4:35–5:20 |
| 22/7/2026 | 5 | 9-11 | 3 | 6:7–56 Exegetical essays how-to | 6:7–30 |
| 29/7/2026 | KVBC Week | ||||
| 5/8/2026 | 6 | 12-13 | 3 | 7:1–8:10 | 7:1–23 |
| 12/8/2026 | Mid-semester break | ||||
| 19/8/2026 | Mid-semester break | ||||
| 26/8/2026 | No class (Church History intensive) | ||||
| 2/9/2026 | 7 | 14-15 | 3 | 8:11–9:1 | 8:11–21 |
| 9/9/2026 | 8 | 17–19 | 3 | 9:30–10:52 | None (essay due) |
| 16/9/2026 | No class (Malaysia Day) | ||||
| 23/9/2026 | 9 | 20–21 | 3 | 11:1–12:44 | 11:1–25 |
| 30/9/2026 | 10 | 22 | 3 | 13:1–37 | 13:1–37 and answer question |
| 7/10/2026 | 11 | 23–24 | 3 | 14:1–52 | 14:1–25 |
| 14/10/2026 | 12 | 25–26 | 3 | 14:53–16:8 | 14:53–15:15 |
| Total | 36 |
Reading
Edwards, James R. The Gospel according to Mark. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002.
France, R. T. The Gospel of Mark. NIGTC. Eerdmans; Paternoster, 2002. https://archive.org/details/gospelofmarkcomm0000fran/.
Stein, Robert H. Mark. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2008
Assessment Package
| No. | Weighting | Type | Word length1 | Deadline2 |
| 1 | 100% class attendance | |||
| 2 | Reading and class presentation | 5 mins | Wed 24 June 19:00 | |
| 3 | 50% | Weekly observations | ||
| 4 | 50% | Exegetical essay | 2,500 | Tue 8 Sept |
| 5 | Student feedback |
- Reading
- Class Presentation
Give a verbal presentation in the first class about the introduction to one (as allocated by lecturer) of the following technical commentaries on Mark’s Gospel:
- Edwards, James R. The Gospel according to Mark. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002.
- France, R. T. The Gospel of Mark. NIGTC. Eerdmans; Paternoster, 2002. https://archive.org/details/gospelofmarkcomm0000fran/.
- Moore, Christopher K. W. Mark. Hodder Bible Commentary. Hodder Faith, 2024.
- Stein, Robert H. Mark. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2008
Include: - Purpose and intent of the commentary writer
- High level summary of contents discussed: e.g., what does the commentor say about:
- author,
- date
- history of scholarship (identify key names and ideas)
- main message of Mark’s Gospel, and
- major themes.
- Anything else included in the introduction
- Anything you think is missing
- Weekly Observation
To be completed according to that taught in your Exegesis & Hermeneutics subject. Do not use commentaries; I want to observe how you engage with the text and only the text.
As the text will be discussed in class, you would gain an unfair advantage if allowed to submit after class begins. Therefore, any late submissions (even if by a minute) will be summarily failed and not marked. - Write an exegetical paper on Mark 9:2–29
To be completed in accordance with the process introduced in your Exegesis & Hermeneutics subject, plus engaging with other views. Marking will also follow:
- 1/3 for observations (submitted separately as per Exegesis & Hermeneutics)
- 1/3 for how essay summarises observations (as per Exegesis & Hermeneutics)
- 1/3 for essay’s critical engagement with others (at least three technical-level sources)
- Complete student feedback form
Bibliography
Bible study guides:
Chester, Tim. Mark 1–8: The Coming King. Good Book Guide. Good Book, 2005.
———. Mark 9–16: The Servant King. Good Book Guide. Good Book, 2006.
Introductory level commentaries:
Barnett, Paul W. Servant King: Reading Mark Today. Reading the Bible Today. Aquila, 1991.
Cole, R. Alan. Mark: An Introduction and Commentary. TNTC 2. 2nd ed. Inter-Varsity; Eerdmans, 1989.
English, Donald. The Message of Mark. Bible Speaks Today. Inter-Varsity; InterVarsity, 1992.
Hurtado, Larry. Mark. NIBC. Zondervan, 1989.
Sach, Andrew and Tim Hiorns. Dig Deeper into the Gospels: Coming Face to Face with Jesus in Mark. Inter-Varsity, 2015.
Schnabel, Eckhard J. Mark. TNTC 2. InterVarsity; IVP Academic, 2017.
Expositional commentaries (focused on preaching through Mark’s gospel):
Ferguson, Sinclair B. Let’s Study Mark. Banner of Truth, 1999.
Hughes, R. Kent. Mark: Jesus, Servant and Savior. 2 vols. Preaching the Word. Crossway, 1989. Repr. as 1 vol., 2015.
Keller, Timothy. King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus. Dutton; Hodder & Stoughton, 2011.
Ryle, J. C. Mark. Expository Thoughts on the Gospels. Banner of Truth, 2012.
Technical level commentaries:
Edwards, James R. The Gospel according to Mark. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002.
Evans, Craig A. Mark 8:27–16:20. WBC 34B. Thomas Nelson, 2001.
France, R. T. The Gospel of Mark. NIGTC. Eerdmans; Paternoster, 2002.
https://archive.org/details/gospelofmarkcomm0000fran/.
Kim, Huat Tan. Mark. New Covenant Commentary Series. Cascade; Lutterworth, 2016.
Lane, William L. The Gospel of Mark. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1974.
Moore, Christopher K. W. Mark. Hodder Bible Commentary. Hodder Faith, 2024.
Stein, Robert H. Mark. BECNT. Baker Academic, 2008.
Greek Handbooks:
Decker, Rodney J. Mark. 2 vols. Baylor Handbook on the Greek New Testament. Baylor University Press, 2014.
Williams, Joel F. Mark. Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament. B&H Academic, 2020.
Monographs and other focused works:
Best, Ernest. Following Jesus: Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark. JSNTSup 4. JSOT Press, 1981.
Bolt, Peter G. The Cross from a Distance: Atonement in Mark’s Gospel. NSBT 18. Apollos;
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2004.
———. The Narrative Integrity of Mark 13.24–27. Australian College of Theology Monograph Series. Wipf & Stock, 2021.
France, R. T. Divine Government: God’s Kingship in the Gospel of Mark. SPCK, 1990. Repr. Vancouver, BC: Regent College Publishing, 2003.
Garland, David E. A Theology of Mark’s Gospel: Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Zondervan, 2015.
Green, Joel B. The Way of the Cross: Following Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. Wipf & Stock, 2009.
Green, Joel B., Jeannie K. Brown and Nicholas Perrin, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. 2nd ed. IVP Bible Dictionary Series. IVP Academic; Inter-Varsity, 2013.
Green, Joel B., Scott McKnight and I. Howard Marshall, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. InterVarsity; Inter-Varsity, 1992.
Robinson, Maurice, Darrell L. Bock, Keith Elliott, Daniel B. Wallace and David A. Black. Perspectives on the Ending of Mark: Four Views. B&H, 2008.
Watts, Rikki E. Isaiah’s New Exodus and Mark. WUNT II/88. Mohr Siebeck, 1997. Repr. as Isaiah’s New Exodus in Mark; Biblical Studies Library; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2000.