Expository Reflections on the Gospels: Mark

Expository Reflections on the Gospels: Mark (Crossway, 2024).

This volume is the third entry in what will be a four part set of homiletical commentaries on the Gospels by Douglas Sean O'Donnell. O'Donnell is well-suited to this kind of project because he has been a long time pastor, works as a senior editor, and has published academic volumes on various aspects of the Gospels. 

One of the drawbacks of homiletical commentaries is their often over-emphasis on contemporary application and a lighter analysis of the flow of the biblical text. In this vein, an immediate strength of O'Donnell's work is its structure. Rather than a verse-by-verse commentary, O'Donnell moves through the narrative with a focus on manageable sections, often covering a pericope or a related group of verses. This aligns well with how one might typically approach preparing a sermon or lesson. This make sense, too, because these reflections began as a sermon series in a local church. 

This feature will also allow you to focus on a specific passage without getting lost in a sea of detailed linguistic analysis (though O'Donnell includes judicious technical discussions when necessary). Each section typically includes "Reflections" which look at the meaning and significance of the text, highlighting key themes, theological insights, and narrative flow. These reflections are where O'Donnell’s pastoral voice shines brightest as he seeks to connect the biblical text to contemporary life with sensitivity and relevance. 

Beyond the reflections, O'Donnell provides "illustration" sections with anecdotes, quotes, or analogies that can be used to illuminate the text in preaching. The illustrations are varied and draw from literature, history, personal experience, and contemporary culture. While not every illustration will land with every audience, they provide a helpful starting point and demonstrate O'Donnell's commitment to effective communication.

The limitations of a volume and series like this are likewise straightforward. As the title suggests, this is a work of "expository reflection" rather than an exhaustive or technical commentary. Those seeking in-depth engagement with a wide range of scholarly opinions on particular passages will need to supplement this work with other commentaries (though this expository and reflective focus is often what is missing in sermon prep). This being said, several major discussions in the field of NT studies are noted when appropriate and reflected in the exposition (e.g., O'Donnell briefly explains why the "short ending" of Mark at 16:8 is preferable but then also provides a theological reflection on the effect of this abrupt ending). 

Theologically, O'Donnell consistently brings the focus back to Christ and the call to discipleship, which is at the heart of Mark's Gospel. I love his subtitle for the volume, which functions as a quick summary of Mark's theological focus: "Arise and Follow the Son."

The physical features of the volume itself are also well-crafted. Pastors, Bible study leaders, and dedicated individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the shortest, often most urgent, Gospel will find O'Donnell's volume on Mark to be a helpful resource that is rich in theology and highly usable.

Some Notes:

• See details of this commentary and future plans for the series. Cf. my goodreads  & reviews of volumes in the ESV Commentary series; Thanks to Crossway for this review copy.