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Rating: 
Summary: Simply outstanding...but you need to know a little greek
Review: I have begun to learn Greek and decided to test the waters with this volume on Mark. What I found was one of the most outstanding commentaries I have ever read. This book is incredibly well organized, well written, thoughtful and thought provoking as well. France writes with an easy lucid style that is as entertaining as it is informative. This book will give you a great insight into the life of Christ as well the gospel of Mark. France does not deal with other synoptics very often, but sticks to the story as told by Mark. I highly reccommend this volume especially if you are beginning to study the gospels.
As far as the greek goes, you need a good command of the alphabet and pronunciation. It would help to understand verb forms and tenses, but you can get by without that knowledge. I read the commentary with an indexed Greek new testament and I had no problems following the text. Actually, I felt like I was reaching closer into Mark's mind, and also in a way into that of Jesus, by reading and studying the Greek.
Rating:
Summary: France's Finest Work!!
Review: This is the one that so many have been waiting for! Richard France has far exceeded expectations with this colossal work on the Greek text of Mark. France recognizes the importance of Redaction and Form Criticism, but chooses to focus on the exegesis of the canonical text. France argues for Markan priority (although in a somewhat revised form), but makes it clear that the development of the gospel traditions is too complex to be dogmatic. France thinks that the abrupt ending of Mark's gospel at 16:8 is not what Mark intended, but that vs.9-20 are surely an interpolation. France's commentary is somewhat unique in treating Mark's gospel as a "drama in three acts" **1)Jesus' public ministry in Galilee
**2)Jesus' journey with his disciples to Jerusalem
**3)Jesus' public ministry in Jerusalem which includes everything leading up to and involving his crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. You will need to know, to some degree, basic Greek in order to use this commentary. It is gratifying that we now have so many good commentaries on Mark's gospel. **1)France's great commentary
**2)Robert Gundry's excellent commentary **3)Ben Witherington's tremendous socio-rhetorical commentary **4)William Lane's classic commentary **5)James Edwards' practical commentary
**6)Joel Marcus' new detailed Anchor commentary.
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