Customer Reviews

A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew

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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.

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!

This is a fine scholarly commentary from a socio-cultural standpoint. In fact, it sets the standard in that genre. However, as an overall commentary on the text of Matthew, it is just too narrow to be helpful at many points. Why so? First, Keener does not interact with the Greek text at all. Thus, it totally lacks text-critical comments, and lacks insights that may have come from the Greek text which are not apparent in the English versions. Secondly, Keener tells us an awful lot about cultural matters in Matthew's day, but very little about Matthew's literary art and intentions. As such, the commentary loses all the vast insights available via literary criticism. Lastly, Keener's own theological reflections in the commentary itself (not counting the introduction) are rather obvious and simplistic (i.e., the only point he derives from Jesus' telling his disciples to get the donkey for him to ride into Jerusalem at the "Triumphal Entry" is that believers' possessions belong to Jesus. True, but that is hardly profound or Matthew's point in the text). I checked this work against his smaller IVP commentary, and found that they are almost identical in their conclusions. This tells us that Keener apparently learned nothing in the years between writing the shorter commentary and the longer one. In fact, if you read the shorter commentary, all you will really miss is the ubiquitous and obtrusive in-text notes and the extensive bibliography. If you are a scholar or seminary student, you will appreciate Keener's insights in cultural history. If you are a pastor preaching through Matthew, you will also gain some insights from Keener, but not enough to justify the hefty price of this commentary. If you are looking for commentaries that do it all for the same or less money, see especially Hagner (WBC), Carson (EBC)and Morris (PNTC).

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. (anneobrienrice@mac.com.

You learn a lot about the social and cultural world behind the text of Matthew in this commentary by Craig Keener. He does a good job of showing how the text would be heard in the first century world. He also makes some helpful comments for preachers. For example, his point on Matthew 5:14-16 is that disciples of Christ are not in the secret service, they are to be as obvious as a city on a hill. A disciple who doesn't salt the earth or shine the light is useless.

His commentary is well written and not cluttered with a lot of technical jargon.

On the minus side, he does not always move word by word or verse by verse through the text. Working through the beatitudes was difficult because he mixed them all up out of order and didn't return to the second half of certian verses until near the end of the section. Very confusing. This is an issue all through the book.

Also, I would have liked a bit more exegesis and a little more of a picture of Matthew's theology. I would have been willing to live with a little less cultural information in order to make room for these other things.

But I still consult this immense work whenever I preach in Matthew. I guess my favorite commentaries on Matthew are the ones by Davies and Allison (expensive, though), and Leon Morris (much more affordable and practical).

Rev. Marc Axelrod

Some years ago I bought this same book, and I though that it was a revised version. It is not. Yes it has a new preface, and a new article, but both versions are identical, I mean the 1999 and the 2009 versions. They even have the same enumeration: they both start with page 1 (Introduction) and end with page 1040 (Index). Keep buying from amazon, but choose another commentary, if you bought the previous edition. If you are rich, go ahead the article "Matthew and the Socio Rethorical ..." (I don`t remember the title well) is good.

Says professor Ben Witherington III of this work, "I can think of no commentary I would rather recommend to pastors, teachers, students, and laypersons if they are looking for fresh light on the first gospel."-(As found on the backcover). Witherington is correct.

Professor of New Testament at Eastern Seminary-Craig Keener shows us his magnificent fruit of his work in this massive work on the gospel of Matthew. Written from a conservative stance and completely up to date this work is invaluable. I highly recommend it.

The one small drawback is that Keener hardly deals with the text-critical questions. Focusing more on narrative and theology. Thus, if you can overlook this glitch purchase this work.

Rick. E Aguirre. Southern California USA (Aguirre100@aol.com)0Æ

As a lay person studying my way through the New Testament, I have tried to seek out scholars who combine reverence and apprectiation for the text with new insights and applications. Professor Craig Keener of Eastern Seminary is one of those gifted writers. This is a unique commentary; the stated purpose is to combine a social-historical study of Matthew with evaluations of the nature of Matthew's teaching to his intended audience. The end result is a rich tapestry that thoroughly grounds Matthew's gospel in the Old Testament yet shows how uniquely Jesus reinterpreted the scriptures to present Himself as the revelation of God.
This commentary is a goldmine of wisdom for teaching (and I would assume for preaching, although as a layman I am very limited in that area). I have taught several Sunday school classes and led Bible studies on Matthew, and this is the text I find myself going back to time and time again for knowledge and insight. There are a number of excellent commentaries on Matthew, but this book is worth having to compliment almost any other commentary out there. My thanks to Professor Keener for his work on this volume and his tremendous two volume commentary of the Gospel of John. I am looking forward to reading more of his work in the future.

First I would like to say that I remember this author from my undergraduate studies. He was a student at the same Bible College I attended. My general impression of him at that time was that he was the most scholarly undergrad student we had and that he had a deep spiritual fire for Jesus. As an undergraduate student he was fluent in the biblical languages. Everyone respected him. When he spoke in chapel as a student, everyone stopped to listen carefully-even the guys on the back row.

A couple decades later he is an author and a well-known scholar. But I have a bias in favor of him because of my college days...so bear that in mind here.

This commentary is one of my most often consulted commentaries on Matthew. It's a great companion to R.T. France's NICNT on Matthew. Bypassing some of the normal activities of a commentary, like having an outline of the text inset into the table of contents (I wish he had one actually), and moving through material in a more fluid manner (not bit by bit as most commentaries do), Craig Keener develops a rather rich assembly of resources from a very extensive list of ancient sources. He quotes extensively from ancient Jewish literature and other related sources that impact the meaning of the passage.

His quotes avoid the pitfall of some commentaries (Craig avoids meaningless notes that ramble on and on about minutia) and he gives a busy pastor or teacher his opinion on how the ancient texts out there affect the biblical pericope at hand. Often he comments on a section or paragraph's theme in a relevant way.

This is NOT meant to be a typical commentary. It is a commentary on Matthew, but not like what you are used to reading. This commentary does deal with a lot of technical points either in the introduction or in the text, so I don't think scholars will be disappointed-but be aware that his focus is a little more of an integrated focus.

If you think of this as a specialized Jewish background of the Gospel of Matthew that is customized into a commentary, then I think you have defined this commentary. I am delighted to have this one and heartily recommend it to every bible student.

I purchased this commentary, along with a few others, in preparation for my study on the Sermon on the Mount. As I started using this commentary, I discovered that it was not what I expected. It is subject to form/critical analysis (document Q, for example).

As far as the exegesis goes, it is ok. There are others I would recommend higher than this (Carson in The Expositor's Bible Commentary; Blomberg in the NAC series; Hendriksen in the New Testament Commentary; Morris in the PNTC).