“Wow” comes to mind on this one. The NAC volume this replaces (though that volume is still in print) was solid and well worth having, but this one is next level. Lanier displays such mature scholarship with a hint of seeing all the scholarly world and being weary of some of it. I share his weariness and love having what he offers to learn from.

Just reading the Author’s Preface will tell you this is going to be good. Look at the six things he’s attempting to do in this commentary. One of those, focusing on Luke rather than some speculative “Q” behind him, means a tenth of the commentary isn’t pure rubbish as befalls so many works. Another, his upholding a high view of God’s Word, wins my trust out of the gate. I feel he kept all six of his aims.

He also showed that he felt no straitjacket bound him when he began the Introduction by expounding Luke 1:1-4. I’ve never seen that before, but especially here in Luke so many introductory issues were brought up in the text and made him avoid redundancy. From there, he explained Luke as literature and discussed sources. He slapped “Q” around a little more (can you tell I loved it?) and ended the section by reminding us of the full inspiration of Scripture. That’s such a breath of fresh air.

Some elite types will read what I’ve said so far and assume we have a lightweight commentary before us. How incredibly wrong they would be. Watch him guide us through plot, setting, narrative devices, and background factors and you will see that he’s not taking a backseat to anyone. He reasons his way to several conservative conclusions (e.g. authorship) rather than just stating positions. He also dismantled the untenable “community” ideas (e.g., Johannine community or Lukan community) that for some bizarre reason took a stronghold on so much NT scholarship. I further loved how he rolled his eyes at the circuitous routes of the “so-called quest for the historical Jesus”. I think I’ve shared enough for you to see the direction of the introduction, and I must say it is outstanding.

They were some of the most eye-appealing and helpful charts throughout the work, both in the introduction and in the text itself. They shared really helpful information to those of us trying to grasp the gospel of Luke. His commentary on individual passages was so helpful as well. I mean really good.

There are a lot of good commentaries on Luke, and several not as good as their reputation, but I see no reason why this one couldn’t be a pastor‘s first choice. It has what those of us preparing sermons need the most. Along the way, you’ll be told what the scholarly world has done with certain issues without yourself having to drown in them. I assure you, I will keep this one handy.

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.