Gospel of Matthew [Paperback]

William Barclay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 23, 2009

When Jesus called Matthew, as he sat in his office where he collected customs duty, Matthew rose up and followed him and left everything behind him except one thing - his pen. Matthew was to become the great chronicler of Christ's life and teachings - and, though it is widely accepted that he did not write the gospel itself, his influence is undeniably felt throughout. Matthew has a rhythmical and often poetical prose. Of the synoptics, it is the gospel best suited for public reading, and is probably the best known as a result: it includes Christ's infancy, the Sermon on the Mount, the well-known parables, the Resurrection and many other familiar stories. William Barclay helps us to rediscover the immediacy and freshness of this familiar gospel.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William Barclay (1907-1978) is known and loved by millions worldwide as one of the greatest Christian teachers of modern times. His insights into the New Testament, combined with his vibrant writing style, have delighted and enlightened readers of all ages for over half a century. He served for most of his life as Professor of Divinity at the University of Glasgow, and wrote more than fifty books--most of which are still in print today. His most popular work, the Daily Study Bible, has been translated into over a dozen languages and has sold more than ten million copies around the world. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 488 pages
• Publisher: St Andrew Press (October 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071520890X
• ISBN-13: 978-0715208908
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,731,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling scholarship with true love of Christ's message., December 2, 2001

By 

Michael Strassberg - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Testament the Gospel of Matthew: Volume 2 (Chapters 11 to 28) (Daily Study Bible (Westminster Hardcover)) (Hardcover)

I have tried to read the Gospels several times, and had always come away dissatisfied, feeling that I was missing the true meaning. This book (and part two) solved that problem for me. Barclay takes anywhere from one to several verses at a time and discusses them in the contexts of the time they were written, the prevailing religious thought, and their admittedly proseletizing purpose. He demonstrates how Matthew took ideas from the Hebrew Scriptures and showed that they predicted the coming of Christ. He also tells that many of these references were inappropriate, but because Matthew was intended for the Jews, this method was used. Beyond this, though, Barclay explains the meaning of the words and deeds of Christ, making opaque parables and homilies clear and compelling. The love of Christ and his ministry to save mankind come alive in this book. Barclay elucidates the message of Christ in a powerful, heart-gripping and understandable way. I am a Jew, and recommend this book to people of any faith if they wish to understand Matthew.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough yet readable study on the Gospel of Matthew, September 3, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gospel of Matthew: Chapters 1 to 10 (Daily Study Bible (Westminster Hardcover)) (Hardcover)

This is one of the two volumes Barclay wrote on the Gospel of Matthew - each covering roughly half of this book of the Bible. These are a part of his series on the New Testament, where Barclay clearly discusses each section of each book of this portion of the Bible. Each section of the book starts with William Barclay's personal translation of the text and then goes into a discussion of the text, the times, the culture, the people, and the beliefs surrounding the text. William Barclay talks about the Bible in the context of when it was written and how it applies today. It is not surprising that the writings of this scholar hold up now as they did 30 years ago. Funny how truth stays the same year after year - it keeps going, and going...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the better commentaries, March 11, 2007

By 

Forth Wright (SOUTH Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gospel of Matthew Volume I (The New Daily Study Bible) (Paperback)

According to one's view of the Bible and Christian beliefs, you will typically approach a commentator who shares your approach and viewpoints. Those who believe in literal interpretation will shun Barclay in favor of literal intepreters. However, if you are seeking a well-rounded and scholarly take on scripture commentary beyond a pastor's rendition or maybe a magazine's quick insights, here is a start with a simpler commentary for an alternative view.