Healy Mary - The Gospel of Mark

Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture

S ERIES E DITORS

Peter S. Williamson

Mary Healy

A SSOCIATE E DITOR

Kevin Perrotta

C ONSULTING E DITORS

Scott Hahn, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, Weston Jesuit School of Theology

William S. Kurz, SJ, Marquette University

Francis Martin, Sacred Heart Major Seminary

Frank J. Matera, Catholic University of America

George Montague, SM, St. Marys University

Terrence Prendergast, SJ, Archbishop of Ottawa

2008 by Mary Healy

Published by Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakeracademic.com

Ebook edition created 2011

Ebook corrections 10.02.2014, 07.26.2017, 12.25.2017

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

ISBN 978-1-4412-0198-0

Nihil Obstat:

Rev. Christopher Begg

Censor Deputatus

Imprimatur:

Rev. Msgr. Barry C. Knestout

Vicar for Administration

Archdiocese of Washington

March 6, 2008

The nihil obstat and imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. There is no implication that those who have granted the nihil obstat and the imprimatur agree with the content, opinions, or statements expressed therein.

Excerpts from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Psalms Copyright 1991, 1986, 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. Used with permission. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

In preparing for the international Synod of Bishops on The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI reminded the Church that a prayerful study of the Scriptures is at the heart of the Churchs renewal. The new Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture promises to directly serve that purpose. Drawing on sound biblical scholarship, the commentaries present the reader with the rich harvest of that study, reflecting on the message of the biblical text and engaging the life of faith from a Catholic perspective.

Donald Senior, CP, president, Catholic Theological Union

This series promises to be spiritually and doctrinally informative, based on careful, solid biblical exegesis. The method and content of this work will be helpful to teachers of the faith at different levels and will provide a reliable guide to people seeking to deepen their knowledge and thereby nourish their faith. I strongly recommend the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture.

Cormac Cardinal Murphy-OConnor, Archbishop of Westminster

I welcome with great joy the launch of this new collection of commentaries on the Bible because the project corresponds perfectly to a pressing need in the Church. I am speaking about exegetical studies that are well grounded from a scholarly point of view but not overburdened with technical details, and at the same time related to the riches of ancient interpretation, nourishing for spiritual life, and useful for catechesis, preaching, evangelization, and other forms of pastoral ministry. This is the kind of commentary for which the majority of readers have a great desire.

Albert Cardinal Vanhoye, SJ, Pontifical Biblical Institute, former secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission

When the Scripture is read in the liturgy, it is heard as a living voice. But when expounded in a commentary, it is too often read as a document from the past. This fine new series unites the ancient and the contemporary by offering insight into the biblical textverse by verseas well as spiritual application to the lives of Christians today. I particularly like the sidebars inserted into the text called Living Tradition that feature memorable sayings from great Christian teachers or brief explanations of puzzling terms and ideas.

Robert Louis Wilken, University of Virginia

This new Bible commentary series is based on solid scholarship and enriched by the churchs long tradition of study and reflection. Enhanced by an attractive format, it provides an excellent resource for all who are serving in pastoral ministry and for the individual reader who searches the Scriptures for guidance in the Christian life.

Emil A. Wcela, Auxiliary Bishop (retired), Diocese of Rockville Centre; past president, Catholic Biblical Association

The Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture is an ideal tool for living our faith more deeply. This extraordinary resource combines superior scholarship and a vivid, accessible style that will serve the interested layperson and the serious scholar equally well. It feeds both the mind and the heart and should be on the shelf of every committed Catholic believer. I highly recommend it.

Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Denver

This new commentary series appears to me to be a gift of the Holy Spirit to Catholic clergy, religious, and laity at this historic moment. Pope Benedict has effectively announced the rebirth of Catholic biblical theology, bringing together Scripture, tradition, and the teachings of the Church. This commentary reflects not only biblical criticism but also the unity of the Word of God as it applies to our lives. This is a marvelous and timely introduction.

Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, author and preacher

This new commentary series should meet a need that has long been pointed out: a guide to Scripture that will be both historically responsible and shaped by the mind of the Churchs tradition. It promises to be a milestone in the recovery of a distinctively Catholic approach to exegesis.

Aidan Nichols, OP, University of Oxford; Fellow of Greyfriars, Oxford

This series employs the Churchs methodology of studying Sacred Scripture in a faithful, dynamic, and fruitful way. With interest in Catholic Bible studies growing rapidly, the repeated question has been, can you suggest a reliable commentary? The Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture is now the go-to resource that I can enthusiastically recommend to all my students.

Jeff Cavins, founder, The Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study System

To Fr. Francis Martin