Jesus and the Last Days: The Interpretation of the Olivet Discourse

Anyone wrestling with Jesus' understanding of the last days must begin by braving the tempest of controversy surrounding the interpretation of Mark 13-a passage on which it seems virtually every NT scholar of the last century has felt compelled to comment. From Strauss to Schniewind, Perrin to Drewermann, rabbit trails to roadways, Beasley-Murray charts the complex and sometimes confusing paths of interpretation. Obviously, any interpreter wishing to begin at ground-zero must take seriously the forces that have shaped the modern understanding of Jesus' words concerning the End. This study culminates nearly 40 years of research, for Beasley-Murray's passion for Mark 13 began in 1954 with the release of Jesus and the Future; the present volume is a completely revised and expanded edition of the former work, whose longevity as a centerpiece in discussions on Mark 13 warranted its revision and expansion.