Luke 9:51-24:53 [Hardcover]

Arthur A. Just (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 688 pages
• Publisher: Concordia Pub House (December 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 057006290X
• ISBN-13: 978-0570062905
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #890,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Thorough Passionate Comments on Luke, September 20, 2004

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Luke 9:51-24:53 (Hardcover)

Just is passionate about his subject matter, Luke's Gospel. Here in two volumes he provides not only a historical commentary on what Bible exegetes have said about this inspired text, but also adds his take: incarnational and sacramental theology.

As the series exhibits in each volume, so these two provide the original language comments on grammar, textual criticism, etc. which is so vital to the pastor or advanced layperson.

Then he proceeds to the actual commentary on each section showing that meal/table fellowship with the Lord is major Scriptural theme and substance of the third Gospel.

I find this commentary most valuable and turn to it often to test my exegesis and find thoughtstarters for my preaching/teaching. It will most certainly be a valuable aid to both Lutheran and other confessional Christians as well. Highly recommended. Worth the investment of time and money.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Schoarly conservative commentary on Luke, July 21, 2007

By 

Matthew Gunia (Justice, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Luke 9:51-24:53 (Hardcover)

Arthur Just is a professor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana with his areas of expertise being New Testament theology, liturgical history, and catechesis. This commentary is the second in his two-volume commentary on Luke's Gospel in the Concordia Commentary Series. This particular volume does not contain an introduction (as this is found in volume 1), but does begin with a table of contents, prefaces, a table of icons (see below), and a bibliography. An index of volumes one and two conclude this commentary.

Arthur Just views the Gospel of Luke's primary purpose as being a book of catechesis (Christian instruction) for believers and seekers. As such, Just always comments with an eye toward teaching the fledgling Christian the basics of doctrine, identity of Jesus, and the role of the post-ascension Church. He also holds basic theological assumptions concerning the text. Namely, that St. Luke wrote the text, that his original writing is an infallible work inspired by God the Holy Spirit himself, that sacraments are important, and that Luke structured his Gospel in such a way so as to draw out certain theological emphases.

For each pericope, Just provides his own translation, provides extensive comments on theological insights gained from the original Greek text, writes a general comment covering the entire pericope, then comments on the various verses and details. In the outer margins of the commentary, icons are provided to alert the reader to certain recurring themes in Scripture (e.g. one icon alerts the reader to comments on Eschatology, another icon alerts the reader to comments related to the Temple, etc.). Just finds chiastic structure fairly often in the various pericopes and shows how such a draws out overlooked Scriptural statements. Just also places a focus on the unity and interconnectedness of Luke's Gospel as a whole. He often shows the continuation of a Lukan theme and/or how Christ sets a pattern early on in Luke then continues to fulfill that pattern.

Of particular importance for Just is the account of the Last Supper and the account of Jesus appearing on the road to Emmaus. When the Last Supper is introduced in Luke 22:14-23, Just slows down his commentary significantly as he places the meal in its historical context, analyzes the grammar, shows the early Church's understanding and use of Holy Communion, and shows what Holy Communion means for the Church today. He concludes that in the Last Supper/Holy Communion, Christ has made himself the fulfillment of the Old Testament Passover and remains present with his Church as they continue to proclaim his death (and subsequent resurrection) in Commuion. Further, Just draws out the significance of Jesus post-resurrection meals with his disciples in Luke 24. Throughout the commentary, Just draws connections between the various pericopes and the Jesus post-resurrection discourse on the road to Emmaus. By proclaiming himself the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy and through the sudden "opening of the eyes" of the Emmaus disciples, Just continually draws out Luke-Old Testament connections and also argues that there is a sudden break between the pre- and post-resurrection people of God in theological understanding

This volume contains two excurses: "Luke's Travel Narrative" and "The Old Testament Witness to Christ." Just's work in this second excurses is to be particularly commended as he analyzes Luke (and Jesus') use of the Old Testament (Pentateuch, Prophets, and Psalms) to show Luke's concern for typology, fulfillment of prophesy in Christ, and continuation of the Old Testament in Jesus.

Just is certainly a strong and respected scholar. His comments are well-thought-out, excellent connections are made between the various pericopes within Luke (and between Luke and the Old Testament), various scholarly arguments are presented and given respect, and the literary unity of Luke is well presented, defended, and explained. Also of special note is Just's excellent treatment of Luke 18:15-17 Yet, this side if heaven, we all want for perfection; this commentary is not without its flaws. At times, Just fails to "sell" me on his theory that Luke's primary function is catechesis; his connections between the various pericopes and the Emmaus account are hit-and-miss, and his translations tend to be wooden. Although he purposefully presents wooden translations in order to draw out Greek emphases, they are often confusing and distracting. 19:5: "And as he came to the place, Jesus, looking up, said to him, `Zacchaeus, hurrying, come down, for today in your house it is necessary for me to abide.'" 10:25: "And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, putting him to the test, saying, `Teacher, having done what shall I inherit eternal life?'" If you have no trouble with these, you'll have no trouble with Just's other translations.

Yet these flaws are admittedly minor and the strength of Just's arguments require the discernment of each individual reader. In all, this is an excellent, well structured, Christ-centered, conservative, scholarly work that deserves wide readership. Highly recommended.