Volumes in New Word Biblical Themes: New Testament series offer short, accessible studies of the key themes of each book of the New Testament. Each volume offers an introduction to the book, a brief exposition of the text with its basic background and a survey of its contents, an overview of its themes, and a deeper look at 3-5 key themes for understanding the book and for preaching and teaching. The Gospel of Mark provided the church with its first written narrative of Jesus's life and ministry. While often overlooked by early commentators in favor of the Gospels of Matthew and John, Mark's seemingly understated account contains a remarkably organized literary structure with a distinctive vision of Jesus's identity and mission, the in-breaking of God's Kingdom, and a theology of discipleship. In this volume, Skinner raises historical and literary questions with a view to elucidating some of Mark's important themes and his unique contributions to our understanding of Jesus of Nazareth. In the process of outlining the valuable contributions of the gospel, Skinner attempts to provide a coherent reading of Mark's themes in their broader literary context. This volume explores themes related to Jesus's mission to the Jewish and Roman worlds and his role in inaugurating of God's Kingdom, while demonstrating that Mark's understanding of Jesus Christ was foundational to what became the written gospel tradition.