Customer Reviews

John 12-21 (MacArthur New Testament Commentary) (Macarthur New Testament Commentary Serie)

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I purchased this volume to complete the set. MacArthur is one of the best and most consistent Biblical expositors. His hermeneutic is historical/grammatical and he is very consistent in his interpretation. I love the background information and the practical application that go along with the verse by verse commentary.

I have every volume John MacArthur has published in this set [28 to date, counting this one when it arrives]. I eagerly await every new addition as it is released. This author is an excellent Bible scholar.

I have all of the set. They are excellent, reliable and easy to read.

Since I have already reviewed the first of this series I will try to contribute new information than what was stated on my review of part 1. This second part of the series is certainly on par with the commentary on the first eleven chapters and in some ways may be slightly better than the first part.

The book is easy to read and definitely in touch with general readers. In fact, it is one of those sequels that has something for the casual reader and the serious student. Like the first one it is solid and has a strong conservative tone to it. As I said about the first one the strength on MacArthur's commentary is his style of presentation. In terms of information one could read Carson's work and receive as much material on the subject matter. But for a preacher who hopes to preach through John these two offerings are great.

One thing I noticed even more so about this work is that it seemed at least to interact with other scripture even more than the first one. That of course, could be my perception but I definitely like how MacArthur does not isolate John from the other gospels or the rest of the New Testament. He effectively engages the other parts of the New Testament to create a more holistic look at the last 9 or 10 days of the life of Jesus before his passion. His comments on the final discourses of Christ are quite good. Although, I was kind of surprised that he missed the "lawsuit motif" and failed to deal with it at all, it was nonetheless an excellent work. Some of his comments about Annas' character as well as Pilate's I have not encountered before and I found it to be engaging and very useful.

As in the previous one MacArthur spends a lot of time defending eternal security. It is something of a hobby horse for him. I am not sure that the Apostle John was actually trying to stress this as much as MacArthur was. In fact, I am presently unsure who MacArthur is seeking to convince his audience or himself. He sometimes seem to go through great pains to state this and he did not effectively deal with this problem when he got to John 15. Most of the reformed guys have a hard time and really go through great links to try to smooth it out. It seems to me that he is able to recognize the dichotomy between sovereignty and human responsibility and yet unable to see how that there is a tension between eternal security and apostasy.

Overall, as I recommended the first one I would recommend this one as well. His openers for each chapter are great intros into sermons and I think that this 2 volume series is a great and valuable asset to any student. I really love and value MacArthur and this series has endeared him to me even more. Despite the small differences I have with MacArthur on a few issues I nothing but the greatest respect for his life and ministry. If you are going to study John you need this set of books.

As usual, this book by John MacArthur is a wonderful book to add to the study books that one might have about how to study the Bible. John MacArthur is one of the best, if not the best, theologians in the world in my opinion.

Like the rest of the series he interprets Scripture WITH Scripture! Good solid wholesome Exegesis! Bless your soul and give it a spin! Jesus the Holy Lord Bless All! Amen.