As the first gospel penned about a man who would command the attention of a third of the world … as the book that would form the foundation for the next two gospels written … the influence of Mark’s Gospel is undeniable.

With Greek on the left page, a translation dubbed the Scholars Version on the facing page, and the bottom portion of both reserved for verse-by-verse commentary, Schmidt’s work glows of authenticity. It’s like you’re reading the words the day after they were written, as if you are the person they were written for. This is not an in-depth study (at least, not alongside some of the tomes you’ll find in university bookstores), and outside the 39-page introduction there’s no topical coverage, which leaves primarily the simplicity of the Gospel translation as its selling point. I can’t even say the translation is terribly precise; it just rings to me of the proper flavor, as much as today’s English can allow.

Recommendation: Just read the translation through in one sitting to savor the Gospel story; then, go back and review the commentary. ( )