It took a few years for this latest volume to arrive, but this commentary on Matthew brings nearer to completing coverage of the New Testament for this NTL series. We can wish them well in light of all the series that never quite made it to the finish line. To be sure, this series is firmly on the critical side that collides with conservative readers like me and this volume is right in line with those expectations.

Still, I’ve often thought that consulting one from the other side of the fence has distinct benefits. Primarily those benefits come from unique observations on the text and sage theological insights. (My trusted conservative commentators, as helpful as they are, sometimes trip over each other carving out the same analysis). On that score, this series has had more hits than misses compared to other critical series. Label this volume on Matthew as a success on that specific criteria. For the record, people with more of a critical mindset will likely rate in highly across the board.

The Introduction with its discussion of sources and other such distinctively critical ideas is not to my taste, but it clearly presented. He also compares the voice of Matthew with Paul, James, and John though he imagines them in conflict at times. In a discussion of themes he suggests Christology, Scripture, and Eschatology. His synthesis of all he discussed seems off the mark to me, but offers some wry observations.

The commentary proper is as I described above where the best value is in suggestiveness and theological input. Fortunately, he isn’t so anti-miracle as many critical writers are. On several passages I checked I enjoyed what he had to say though I had to work around the critical perspective.

Mark this one down as a nice secondary resource!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.