The Navarre Bible: Saint Mark’s Gospel
Overview
In the early 1970s the theology faculty of the University of Navarre embarked on the project of making a new Spanish translation of the Bible—a volume accompanied by commentary designed for the general reader. This project was entrusted to the faculty by St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei and the university’s first chancellor. The first volume, St. Matthew, appeared in 1976; the project was completed February 2005. The Navarre Bible series is considered by many the best Catholic commentary on the Bible available today.
More comprehensive than the The Navarre Bible: New Testament, this volume features notes and introductions—rarely very technical—designed to illuminate the spiritual and theological message of the Bible. The Standard Edition is replete with quotations from commentaries by the Fathers, as well as excerpts from other spiritual writers—not least among them, St. Josemaría Escrivá—provided to show how they read Scripture and made it meaningful in their lives.
The Gospel of Mark is the most concise of the four Gospels. Recognized as the earliest canonical Gospel, it narrates Jesus’ ministry, beginning with his baptism and continuing through his death and resurrection; it includes a particular focus on Jesus’ last week of life. Mark highlights the miracles and parables of Jesus, revealing Jesus’ great power and authority through his works and words.
The Navarre Bible New Testament, Standard Edition is both scholarly and readable, presenting an intellectual, historical, and applicable survey of the riches of the New Testament. In the Logos edition of St. Mark’s Gospel, each Scripture passage links to your favorite translation, and is easy to study side-by-side with your other commentaries. You can search by topic or Scripture with split-second results!
This commentary does not include the Bible texts. The print edition cites the RSVCE and the Nova Vulgata, each available separately, or in select Verbum packages.
- Provides an introduction to the Gospel of St. Mark
- Draws on numerous Catholic resources
- Contains a table of sources cited, maps, and informative notes
- Map
- Preface and Preliminary Notes
- Abbreviations
- Introduction to the Books of the New Testament
- Introduction to the Holy Gospels
- Introduction to the Gospel according to Mark
- The Author
- The Apostolic Figure of St. Mark
- Date of Composition
- Place of Composition and Immediate Readership
- Structure
- Doctrinal Content
- Literary Style
- Jesus, the Promised Messiah
- Jesus, the Son of God
- The Gospel According to Mark: English Version, with Notes
- New Vulgate Text
- Explanatory Notes
- Headings Added to the Biblical Text
- Sources Quoted in the Commentary
Top Highlights
“we should notice also that one person’s need can be helped by the merits of another.” (Page 61)
“In this attitude lies the special gravity of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—attributing to the prince of evil, to Satan, the good works performed by God himself.” (Page 69)
“Accordingly, the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only he can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity’ (John Paul II, Catechesi tradendae, 5).” (Page 51)
“Never forget that Christ cannot be reached without sacrifice. We have to get rid of everything that gets in the way—greatcoat, haversack, water bottle.” (Page 112)
“Jesus worked no miracles here: not because he was unable to do so, but as punishment for the unbelief of the townspeople. God wants man to use the grace offered him, so that, by cooperating with grace, he become disposed to receive further graces. As St Augustine neatly puts it, ‘He who made you without your own self, will not justify you without yourself’ (Sermons, 169).” (Page 81)
We heartily and strongly recommend this splendid volume. It is just what so many have been waiting for.
—Homiletic & Pastoral Review
- Title: The Navarre Bible: Saint Mark’s Gospel
- Translator: Michael Adams
- Edition: Revised
- Publisher: Four Courts Press
- Publication Date: 2005
- Pages: 176
Michael Adams was a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast, and the University of Navarre, Pamplona. Michael’s first significant involvement in publishing was with Irish University Press. He was also instrumental in setting up Irish Academic Press, where he served as managing director until 1995. Michael was the author of Censorship: the Irish experience (the subject of his PhD thesis), as well as two short books on religion. In recognition of his contribution to academic studies in Ireland, Trinity College, Dublin awarded him an honorary doctorate in Letters in 2005.
