The world to which the Gospel of Mark introduces its reader is a world of conflicts and suspense, enigmas and secrets, questions and overturning of evidence, irony and surprise. Its principal actor, Jesus, is perplexing in the extreme. He is evidently so for the religious authorities who oppose him, but also for his disciples, who shift from incomprehension to opposition and flight. Questions of meaning, life and death, good and evil are continually broached. This narrative is a subtle invitation to enter into a new world, that of the coming Reign of God, in which the first are last and whoever wants to save his life must lose it.... This is a Camille Focant's masterful commentary on the Gospel of Mark appear in English. His introduction strikes the right balance, judiciously focusing on the critical question and consistently reaching prudent conclusions... Students, busy clergy, and seasoned scholars will benefit greatly from this well-written commentary.