A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew [Hardcover]

Craig S. Keener (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1999

This excellent commentary on Matthew offers a unique interpretive approach that focuses on the socio-historical context of the Gospel and the nature of Matthew's exhortation to his first-century Christian audience. By merging a careful study of Matthew's Gospel in relation to the social context of the ancient Mediterranean world with a detailed look at what we know of first-century Jewish-Christian relations, Craig Keener uncovers significant insights into the Gospel not found in any other Matthew commentary.

In addition, Keener's commentary is a useful discipleship manual for the church. His unique approach recaptures the full "shock effect" of Jesus' teachings in their original context and allows Matthew to make his point with greater narrative artistry. Keener also brings home the total impact of Matthew's message, including its clear portrait of Jesus and its call for discipleship, both to the Gospel's ancient readers and to believers today.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1040 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802838219
• ISBN-13: 978-0802838216
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.6 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,612,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Craig Keener is professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky. Three of his many books have won national awards, and his background commentary has sold over half a million copies (including electronic copies and translations). Craig is married to Dr. Medine Moussounga Keener, who holds a Ph.D. from University of Paris 7. She was a refugee for 18 months in her nation of Congo, and together Craig and Médine work for ethnic reconciliation in the U.S. and Africa.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 86 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent. March 17, 2000

By Paul Whiting

Format:Hardcover

This work must stand alongside that of the three volume work of W. D. Davies and Dale Allison in the International Critical Commentary as one of the best works on the first Gospel around. Keener's work is similiar in size and scope to that of another Evangelical scholar Robert Gundry, who published a commentary on Matthew a number of years back. However, Keener is more conservative than Gundry in many respects, especially on the historicity of Matthew. And, unlike Gundry, he brings an amazing amount of knowledge about the milieu and literature of the first century to bear upon this work in helping his readers to understand and appreciate this gospel - especially its literary and theological dimensions, and the social worlds that are presupposed and reflected in its story. Added to this are numerous excursions and notes on many themes interspersed throughout, providing more detail of a point made or defense of a position adopted. At times Keener has a penchant for being idiosyncratic and unusual in his views (although he argues them all very well). Holding views, in other words, that are neither characteristic of liberal or conservative commentators (of course, without people challenging the commonly held views on either side of the divide, scholarship would never progress!) So, if you want a detailed commentary that does not merely repeat what others have said, but makes an original and (often) compelling contribution to Matthean studies, this commentary is definitely a work that you will want to consult in my view. In terms of its relation to other works: it is not a popular level exposition (like his small volume in the IVP New Testament Commentary series), nor is it a work leaving no stone unturned, of use only to the trained student or scholar (like the ICC volumes mentioned above ), but it is a work that will serve the needs of readers and students alike, looking for detail but not looking to be overwhelmed by it. In this respect alone, it makes up for a glaring need on Matthew in a flooded commeantary market. As a primary commentary, it constitutes an ideal investment for the person looking for balanced, detailed, thought-provoking exegesis.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best written NT commentaries, erudite & engaging November 10, 2002

By Cato Sapiens

Format:Hardcover

Having been a very active user of the nearly encyclopedic 3 volume Davies and Allison work on Matthew, I wasn't sure how much more Keener could offer. I found myself immediately engaged by Keener's stylistic clarity, his directness, and his astonishing ability to both summarize current scholarship and argue for his own insightful and often original views with a conciseness and precision that should be a model for commentary authors. Unlike Davies and Allison, this is a not a commentary on the Greek text and Keener leaves discussion of text critical issues to others (which to many students, pastors, and lay readers may be a blessing.) The gracefulness with which he pulls in both Greco-Roman parallels and--very impressively--Jewish extraconical, Qumran, and rabbinic parallels, is equally impressive. But none of this gets in the way of Keener's determination to illuminate the theological, rhetorical, and historical thrusts within Matthew. Just turn to Keener's vivid discussion of the "yoke" saying in Matt 11:28-30 (pp. 348-349) for an example of an instant picture of the what it meant to carry a yoke, the useful citation of parallels in apocraphyl literature, a quick reference to Diogenes Laertes, and a clear explanation of the theological innovations of Jesus' own teachings in both theological and historical terms. Keener's is one of the very few commentaries written in the past half century that makes enjoyable reading both for students and pastors and for at least some interested lay readers. Though his stance is in some sense evangelical, his enlightening engagement with Jewish sources and thinking is more compelling and convincing than any other current commentary. Rarely has such erudition been worn so comfortably and unabtrusively. Very highly recommended!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great scholarly work accessible to the mainstream reader! September 5, 2006

By Anne Rice

Format:Hardcover

This is a huge, rich and very readable commentary, bringing to bear on every line of Matthew a knowledge of pagan and Hebrew literature that is simply breathtaking. Keener knows the ancient world. He gives you context as well as brilliant insight. --- Reviews and supporting quotes on this book point out its immense value for teachers and pastors. But this book is a great gift for the mainstream reader for two reasons 1)the clean and compelling writing, and 2)the fact that all quoted materials from sources ancient and modern are presented in English. (Usually in scholarly books of this sophistication, a reader like me is locked out by blocks of material in German, Latin and Greek. Not so here!) --- Do not be put off by the size of this work. Use it like an encyclopedia. Look up the passages that most trouble you or intrigue you. Move on, back and forth from there, and you'll gradually cover the whole book. --Let me also say that the book is infused with a genuine Christian generosity, a deep Christian faith. The opinions of other scholars are dealt with fairly and patiently, and Keener's convincing conclusions presented with eloquence and simplicity. --- Truly a magnificent and magisterial work. I keep this book at my side; I rank it with the scholarship of N.T. Wright -- the finest. ([e-mail].