Commentaries on the Four Gospel Accounts
Lee, Jason K. and William M. Marsh, editors. Timothy George, General Editor. Scott M. Manetsch, Associate General Editor. Matthew (Reformation Commentary on Scripture, New Testament Volume I). Downers Grove: IVP Academic,
Duguid, Iain M., James M. Hamilton, Jr., and Jay Sklar, Editors. Contributions by Daniel M. Doriani, Hans F. Bayer, and Thomas R. Schreiner. ESV Expository Commentary (Volume VIII, Matthew-Luke). Wheaton: Crossway,
Beitzel, Barry J., Editor. Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016, 2017. 583 Pages. Cloth. $39.99. https://lexhampress.com/
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This review's books focus on various aspects of those four Gospel accounts.
First, Matthew:
The Gospel according to St. Matthew was a special focus of mine at seminary. I appreciated the opportunity to spend all of Year A of the Three-Year Lectionary in Matthew, yet missed this book during Years B and C. Adopting the Historic One-Year Lectionary gives me a lot of Matthew every year.
This volume focuses on Matthew. The best commentaries are those who add the Amen of faith to the Word. The worst are those that contradict what the Word says. Keep that in mind as you read this blurb from the publisher:
"As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.'"
How should one interpret these words of Jesus?
The sixteenth-century Reformers turned to Scripture to find the truth of God's Word, but that doesn't mean they always agreed on how to interpret it. For example, when approaching this passage from Matthew's gospel, Martin Luther read it literally, for "as he says in his own words, it is his body and his blood," but Thomas Cranmer argued that "there must be some figure or mystery in this speech."
In this Reformation Commentary on Scripture volume, scholars Jason K. Lee and William Marsh guide readers through a wealth of early modern commentary on the book of Matthew. Readers will hear from familiar voices and discover lesser-known figures from a diversity of theological traditions, including Lutherans, Reformed, Radicals, Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
Drawing upon a variety of resources—including commentaries, sermons, treatises, and confessions—much of which appears here for the first time in English, this volume provides resources for contemporary preachers, enables scholars to better understand the depth and breadth of Reformation commentary, and seeks to encourage all those who desire to read the words of Scripture faithfully.
Jason K. Lee (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of theological studies at Cedarville University. He is the author of The Theology of John Smyth: Puritan, Separatist, Baptist, Mennonite and the co-editor of The Seminary as a Textual Community.
(Publisher's Website)
Lutherans will rejoice to hear Chemnitz on the Lord's Prayer (82-83), Martin Luther himself on the Sermon on the Mount (102-3, specifically on the narrow way), Melanchthon and baptizing and teaching children (249; note the contrast with Calvin on the same text 248-9), Luther and Bugenhagen on the Supper (342-3; a welcome Biblical contrast to others on Matthew 26), and to have Niels Hemmingsen, notable for the Danish Bible, included.
Readers will note with interest the inclusion of commentators Juan De Valdez (266-7, passim), a variety of contrasting perspectives on faith and works while commenting on Matthew 25 (320-331; William Bridge, Juan De Maldonado, Johannes Bugenhagen, Giovanni Diodati, Hugh Latimer, John Calvin, Philipp Melanchthon, Martin Bucer, Perter Walpot, John Mayer, David Dickson, Heinrich Bullinger, William Perkins, Martin Luther, David Joris, Argula Von Grumbach, Wolfgang Musculus, and Richard Ward).
The real benefit of a broad commentary like this is to actually engage with the Word, to hear what others helpfully and faithfully confessed from the Word, and to hear what others said about the Word that endures. With regard to the latter, that means I can know what another Christian tradition says authentically from their own people, without filter or caricature, and then respond with the Word instead of tradition, mere human wisdom, or setting up a straw man.
We await the publication of volumes in Reformation Commentary on Scripture for Genesis 12-50, Exodus-Deuteronomy, Ezra-Job, Proverbs-Song, Isaiah, The Minor Prophets, Mark, 2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians-Philemon, 1 Peter-Jude, and Revelation. This volume on Matthew is Recommended!
Next, the ESV Expository Commentary's new volume on the synoptic Gospels:
This Crossway set is nearing completion!
ESV Expository Commentary: Matthew–Luke
Volume 8
Series edited by Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., Jay Sklar, Contributions by Dan Doriani, Hans F. Bayer, Thomas R. Schreiner
A Passage-by-Passage Commentary of Matthew, Mark, and Luke
Designed to strengthen the global church with a widely accessible, theologically sound, and pastorally wise resource for understanding and applying the overarching storyline of the Bible, this commentary series features the full text of the ESV Bible passage by passage, with crisp and theologically rich exposition and application. Editors Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar have gathered a team of experienced pastor-theologians to provide a new generation of pastors and other teachers of the Bible around the world with a globally minded commentary series rich in biblical theology and broadly Reformed doctrine, making the message of redemption found in all of Scripture clear and available to all.
Contributors to this volume include:
Dan Doriani (Matthew)
Hans F. Bayer (Mark)
Thomas R. Schreiner (Luke)
(Publisher's Website)
I'll begin with some weaknesses in the volume. Any rebuke with regard to titles for clergy should give an alternative, a proposed solution to the problem, so that readers of the volume may avoid sin (347). I will contradict every contradiction of Jesus' Words, "This is my body" to my last breath. I do not believe the Matthew commentator accurately depicts the Lutheran position (397). An opportunity is missed to more fully confess baptism in Matthew 28. We should not "set aside" the question of infant baptism. "All" makes the inclusion of all rather clear. I also am uncomfortable with "to disciple" apart from making disciples by means of baptizing and by means of teaching (443). The paragraph about the virginal conception of Christ could have been written more clearly to avoid misunderstanding (736). Unfortunately, the commentator on Luke chooses to turn Jesus' clear "is" into "represents." There is also a missed opportunity to show that Jesus remembers us in His Supper (1055). I'll respectfully remind authors, editors, publishers, pastors/preachers, and our readers to hold to the Word over any opinion, emotion, experience, human insight, comment, or note.
It is indeed a great blessing that the English Standard Version translation has the breadth of usage across denominational lines. You may be surprised that Apocrypha for the ESV exists and that there is an edition of the ESV for use by Roman Catholics. What I rejoice in as I review page after page in the generously-thick (Tom Clancy thick!) volumes of the ESV Commentary is how much many evangelical Christians have in common as heirs of the reformation era, but also with respect to reverence for the authoritative Word of God.
I thought the section on Mark 7:31-8:26 was particularly strong. It was helpful to me when preaching on the first section this fall. I appreciated the connection between the people being astonished and the possibility of Jesus being the promised Messiah. It was an opportunity to fill in the historical gaps with the common expectation of an earthly ruler (like the Maccabees) and point to the true prophecies fulfilled before the eyes of the people (571). We also pray to be less spiritually blind and deaf (577). The section on the Longer Ending could have taken a stronger stand in favor of authenticity, yet it does much better than a few notable teachers in my own church body (698ff). The section on Luke 13:1-9 will be helpful to pastors offering care after a tragedy. I appreciated the pastoral approach and sensitivity of the commentator here (929ff).
This volume will be of use to any preacher using the English Standard Version, especially in lectionary preaching. Recommended. Remember that for $65 or less you are getting three commentaries under one cover!
Finally, we consider a unique volume, one of a series for Lexham Press:
I continue to be impressed with the quality of the content, presentation, and binding of print resources from Lexham Press.
A Guided Tour Through the Gospels
The Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels delivers fresh insight by paying attention to an often overlooked component of the Gospel stories—their geographical setting. Written by a team of scholars with on-the-ground experience in Palestine, the Geographic Commentary lets you see the land through the eyes of the disciples as Jesus uses the surrounding landscape as the backdrop for his teaching. Each article addresses a particular story, event, or subject across the Gospels.
You’ll see why it was so miraculous that the disciples caught such a horde of fish on the second cast at Jesus’ bidding (hint: it’s more than the number). And you’ll appreciate the significance of Peter’s declaration of “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” when the location of this exchange is identified and its geographical history retold. With more than fifty Gospel stories expounded from this important geographical angle, you’re bound to take away something new from these well-worn stories.
(Publisher's Website)
The Table of Contents presents everything in chronological order. Matthew 2 and Luke 2 are treated over four chapters, followed by Matthew 3-4 and Luke 3-4 over the next two. Readers are reminded of the Gospel accounts that confess Christmas through Chapter 6. John's account enters the conversation with Chapters 7 and 8. After that, we see Matthew, Luke, and John interact as Jesus begins His ministry. The first reference to Mark is in Chapter 13 as more parallel texts give the reader a rich tapestry view of the life and ministry of Jesus. Forty-eight chapters cover the geography of the Holy Land with insights from history, archaeology, and an appropriate inclusion of cultural details from the time of Christ.
Each chapter presents a theme, main Gospel texts, the name of the author, Key Points, the Geographical Setting in overview, definitions of special terms, color maps, charts, photographs, and renderings as appropriate, footnotes, and a bibliography at the end. Content is approachable and scholarly.
Good thought went into the content and format of this volume. Consider the map of a likely route to Egypt for Joseph, Mary, and Jesus on p. 27. The one-way trip to Pelusium or Alexandria likely would have taken 30-45 days. That's interesting! The difference between Bethany Beyond the Jordan (North) and BBtJ (South) is clearly depicted on 46. I found it helpful in articles to see the Divine Name as YHWH (e.g. 55, passim). Pie charts familiar from Logos Bible software pepper the volume (e.g. 160). I really appreciated the parallels between the calming of the sea with Jonah and Jesus (191). Seeing Herod's Palace rendered in 3D perspective helped me better understand elements of the narrative (324). You may find Ancient Methods of Vine Training (335) as interesting as I did. The Jewish Calendar of Feasts (399) was the most helpful one I've ever seen. Readers of a second edition would benefit from the graphic being larger, or at least with larger text. My favorite chapter with archaeological insights was probably 43 (442ff). It provided solid, trustworthy content, unlike the clickbait of many social media posts. While I love the portability of my Bible software on different devices, there's nothing quite like a good, well-made hardcover book. That proved the case with this volume, particularly when I reached the Maps and Charts section at the end (527ff). Indices cover subjects, Scripture verses, and related historical texts.
At $40, I consider this a bargain and an easy book to highly recommend.
LBR would love to review the remaining five volumes of this series as they all appear in print!
The Four Gospel accounts are key to our preaching, teaching, and pastoral care. The three volumes presented in this review on Matthew, the Synoptics, and the Four are all well worth your time, money, shelf space, and effort and time to read and teach.
Rev. Paul J Cain is Senior Pastor of Immanuel, Sheridan, Wyoming, Headmaster of Martin Luther Grammar School and Immanuel Academy, a member of the Board of Directors of the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education, First Vice-President of the Wyoming District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and a member of its Board of Directors, Rhetoric Teacher for Wittenberg Academy, and Editor of Lutheran Book Review. He has served as an LCMS Circuit Visitor, District Worship Chairman, District Evangelism Chairman, District Education Chairman/NLSA Commissioner, and District Secretary. A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Rev. Cain is a contributor to Lutheran Service Book, Lutheranism 101, the Hymnal Companion hymn and liturgy volumes, and is the author of 5 Things You Can Do to Make Our Congregation a Caring Church. He is an occasional guest on KFUO radio. He has previously served Emmanuel, Green River, WY and Trinity, Morrill, NE. Rev. Cain is married to Ann and loves reading and listening to, composing, and making music.
