We believe The Message of Mark by Donald English is a very useful companion for any pastor or Bible teacher working through Mark’s fast moving Gospel. This volume has the feel of a seasoned pastor walking alongside you, helping you see the shape of Mark’s story, the heart of Jesus, and the demands of discipleship, without losing sight of grace.
Summary
English leads us through Mark’s Gospel with an eye to its movement and its urgency. He traces the opening declaration of Jesus as the Son of God, the steady unveiling of his identity, the incomprehension of the disciples, and the growing opposition that leads to the cross. Along the way he highlights the key episodes and teaching sections that shape Mark’s portrait of Jesus and his call to follow him.
Rather than becoming lost in technical detail, English explains the text clearly and shows how Mark’s themes of authority, faith, failure, suffering and service hold together. He pays attention to the cost of discipleship and the mystery of unbelief, while also keeping before us the compassion and determination of Christ. The result is an exposition that helps readers feel the force of Mark’s Gospel as a call to trust and follow Jesus in real life.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
This volume serves pastors and preachers well because it sits at a very usable level. It is not a technical commentary, yet it is far from shallow. English gives enough background, explanation and theological reflection to support faithful preaching, while keeping the focus on what the text is saying and how it presses in on the hearer.
For those planning a sermon series in Mark, this book offers reliable guidance on structure, flow and emphasis. English helps you see where passages begin and end, how individual stories connect to larger sections, and what Mark wants us to grasp about Jesus and discipleship. That makes it easier to shape series outlines and individual sermons that do justice to the text.
At the same time, the tone is warmly pastoral. English writes as someone who loves the Lord and loves the church. He is alert to the struggles, questions and pressures that believers face, and he regularly draws out application that speaks to contemporary discipleship, mission and church life. That combination of clear exposition and pastoral concern is especially valuable for busy pastors who need dependable help that goes beyond bare explanation to real ministry use.
Closing Recommendation
We are glad to commend The Message of Mark as a strong, broadly evangelical resource for preaching and teaching this Gospel. It will not answer every technical question a scholar might raise, but it will give pastors, teachers and thoughtful lay readers a clear, Christ focused and pastorally sensitive guide through Mark’s powerful portrait of the Son of God. As a main preaching companion or as a reliable second voice alongside a more technical work, it is well worth adding to your shelf.
Donald English
Donald English (1930–1998) was a British Methodist minister, leader, and Bible expositor whose ministry combined evangelical conviction with pastoral sincerity.
English wrote on the Gospels and broader themes of Christian discipleship, bringing together careful study of the text with a concern for spiritual formation. His commentary work reflects a desire to help believers encounter Christ in Scripture and live out the implications of the gospel in daily life.
He is remembered for gentle pastoral wisdom, clear devotion to Christ, and a writing style that is earnest, humane, and rooted in biblical truth. His work continues to encourage thoughtful engagement with Scripture, especially within small groups and local churches.
Key titles include The Message of Mark, The God of Truth and Love, and The Methodist Story.