Let the Reader Understand honors the extraordinary contribution of Elizabeth Struthers Malbon to biblical studies. In the opening chapter, Werner Kelber places Malbon's work within the larger context of critical reflection, from antiquity to the modern era, on the role and function of discourse. Kelber locates her approach squarely within the framework of modernity and concludes that "Malbon's supremely creative achievement has been the employment of modern, narrative critical tools with a view toward uncovering the fecundity of the gospel of Mark." Drawing from and conversing with Professor Malbon's extensive publications, each of the five section engages a theme from her works and most focus on the gospel of Mark. Among these are meaning as narrative, issues in methodology, studies in characterization, narrative readings of specific texts, and aesthetic and political readings. Contributors include Werner H. Kelber, R. Alan Culpepper, Kelly R. Iverson, Mikeal C. Parsons, David Barr, David J.A. Clines, Robert C. Tannehill, J. Cheryl Exum, Heidi Hornik and Richard Walsh.