Markan scholars have noticed a proliferation of approaches to the study
of the First Gospel, thus demanding a new assessment of the current
research. Simple enumeration, however, is not enough. Since the
beginning of the twenty-first century, there has been an increasing need
to examine each method's added value to the better understanding of
Mark's Gospel. In this volume, forty-two researchers reflect on the
success of the various approaches. The book can be read as a dialogue
between scholars. It integrates their reflections on methodology,
specific passages, and particular topics of the Gospel. It also combines
important aspects of the Gospel's history, narratology, reception,
inter-textuality, composition, and theology with themes such as the
messianic secret, the Kingdom of God, the disciple's role, the passion,
the resurrection, and its open ending. After almost two millennia,
Mark's enigmatic story about Jesus has generated more interest than ever
before. The volume contains the proceedings of the Colloquium
Biblicum Lovaniense held at Leuven in July 2017.