Customer Reviews

Luke for Everyone

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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As an admirer of Mr. Wright's more academic writings, it is hard for me to believe that he is also so good at devotional writing. This volume, like the rest in the series, contains a frsh new translation from the Greek, along with a short (3-4 page) devotional with each section. The translations seem very good to me in terms of putting the author's meaning across in contemporary English. He does take some liberties, preferring to get the general sense/feeling of the text right rather than necessarily sticking with strict word order and close translation (like the NASB does). To make up for this the comments on the sections often highlight some of the translation issues.

I found not only the translations, but also the devotionals quite inspiring. Wright's church leadership background shows to good effect throughout. I'd love to read it again soon to let some of his insights soak in a bit more.

This study book is being used by a group of women who meet every Monday morning to study the Bible and we are happy with this choice.

The author, Bishop Tom Wright has an easy approach to the Gospel of St. Luke, and his commentary is written in what I would call every-day English. The chapters of Luke are broken down into sensible segments followed by Bishop Wright's commentary which generates good discussion. The glossary in the back is also useful.

We are looking forward to the Acts for Everyone which I believe is not in print yet.

Mary W.Hughes

This book is much easier to digest on the first reading than many of Wright's other works, although a bit less rewarding. The book is structured so that small sections of the gospel text are translated by Wright and followed by his mini exegesis.

I found the book to be thought provoking and not as weighty as one might expect. This is refreshing after reading NTPG and JVG, Luke For Everyone is a layman's version of these two.

I cannot say enough good things about Wright's ability to write simply, with no big words, yet maintain deep theological and historical insight into the Scripture. His interpretations and ability to follow through with the gospel's on thought are unmatched in scholarship.

Every book in this series has Tom Wright's translations (of a periscope or small section of text, followed by a quick story or anecdote, followed by the Wright interpretation. It is easy to read and enjoyable.

There is much to be said about this particular book, but the best parts were his treatment of some of the hard to understand parables of Jesus such as the prodigal son, the wicked tenants, and the rich man and Lazarus. His thoughts here (and in all the synoptics) on Jesus and the son of man sayings reflecting back on Daniel 7 are insightful. He makes good sense of the "keep watch and be alert" sayings. His treatment of the Emmaus road story is also right on point. He relates the opening of the eyes of Cleopas and his companion as Jesus broke bread and gave thanks with the opening of the eyes of Adam and Eve when they realized they were naked after sharing the forbidden fruit. Wright points out that Jeus has redeemed us from the curse that came through the first shared meal of Genesis and brought sin and death into the world. This commentary is full of unique insights such as this and so I highly recommend for everyone to read.

NT Wright is a scholarly academic and a highly relevant one at that. So it is a treat when he puts on his devotional hat and uses his more informal name of Tom Wright to write Luke for Everyone, he brings deep insight to wherever the gospel story takes you that day in a way that you feel you can appropriate it into your life.

You can readily feel the tensions between the agenda of the Jewish leaders to bring about God's kingdom through strict observance and battle and of Jesus who seeks to bring about God's kingdom through repentance even rebelling against Roman rule. You can feel the pressure rising.

Too often a devotional is thin on depth or a bit sappy, but Wright's book has meat that is cut into bite sized pieces. He continues his mission to go beyond the frequent stance of many who feel they know all there is to know about Jesus and have lost the ability to stay alert in their life and miss the many deep and enriching truths that Jesus brings to us.

For those unfamiliar with Wright's "______ for Everyone" series, they are a series of commentaries on the New Testament books by Bishop Wright based on his extensive historical scholarship. He provides his own translation (based on his study of the source languages) which is a very engaging paraphrase. The text is divided up into chronological topic-based segments, followed by a 2-3 page sermonette/commentary based on that section.

Wright reveals that a unifying theme of vocation runs through the Gospel of Luke: God meeting people in their lives and causing them to entrain in His service. From Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, to the shepherds, the disciples, the sick, even the dead, all encounter their place in God's unfolding plan of redemption and the trajectory of their lives is forever transformed. Wright shows that the Gospel of Luke contains themes reminiscent of the Exodus: Mary, Joseph and Jesus coming out of Egypt, and Jesus' unfolding vocation as Savior echoing the themes of Israel's exodus from Egypt. The 12-year old Jesus, found in the temple after a 3-day search, is thematically linked to the risen Savior, found by the empty tomb after another 3-day absence. The road to Emmaus is a journey where Jesus explains the Old Testament plan to a pair (Wright suggests that it was Cleopas and his wife), linking to the other pair in Eden, "eyes are opened" at a meal. Herod and Pilate's reconciliation during Jesus' trial and crucifixion is a prefigurement of the unfolding reconciliation brought about by Jesus' sacrifice. Luke's gospel also features the role and presence of women in Jesus' story.

Reading LUKE FOR EVERYONE is an experience similar to what it was like for first-century believers to hear the Gospel spoken plainly and explained, story by story, by a skilled teacher who knows it well. Wright reveals the symbolism and artistry of Luke's narration of the life of Jesus, as well as certain cultural links from first-century Palestine that are not apparent to the modern reader, yet give depth to the understanding of it.

I am loving the "For Everyone" series--great, useful translations with brief, illuminating and understandable commentary. Wright's ability to combine a (relevant!) short illustration or story and still make meaningful points about the text's meaning and application in our lives all in the course of a few pages is remarkable. Bishop Wright's work is truly a blessing to the church.
What especially impressed me about the Luke volume is the way that he illustrated the overarching story--of Jesus going to Jerusalem to enact a New Exodus-- and how he observed structural elements that underline and emphasize the substance of the narrative (like comparing the "bookends" of Jesus ministry--the story of Joseph and Mary walking back from Jerusalem when Jesus was 12, looking for him while he was about his father's business in the temple, to the walk to Emmaus---where people were also wondering what happened to Jesus, when in fact he was about his father's business). So often criticism that looks at the structure of a book feels like a dissection--leaving only a corpse. Interesting perhaps, but lifeless. Here Wright's comments give the book greater and deeper meaning from observing the structure of the book--it is more alive and more impactful, not less.
This book is readily accessible to anyone reading Luke, and offers profound insights into Jesus' life, ministry, self-knowledge, the early church, and how we should respond today. Really great.

"Luke for Everyone" is part of the New Testament series of books by N.T. Wright, which includes "Matthew for Everyone" all the way through "Revelation for Everyone." The series is nothing less than sensational and, in spite of his highly esteemed theological works, is one of Wright's most important contributions to the good of the Church.

In "Luke for Everyone" Wright continues to help us see the New Testament Gospels with new eyes. One of the things Wright does well is to give us some historical background to the Gospels to help us read them more wisely. Since Luke himself mentions his historical method by which he wrote, Wright spends the first few pages providing insight into Luke and his story. He continues his excellent but simple historical presentation when he writes about the birth of Jesus. Another example of how Wright helps us to see with new eyes by giving us the historical background is when he discusses why it was that Martha was so upset at Mary. As Wright puts it, "the real problem was that Mary was behaving as if she were man," since the public room she occupied was where the men met, and it was men who sat at the feet of the master. In his comments on Mary and Martha, and elsewhere, Wright helps us see the bigger picture. In this case, the bigger picture is that Jesus broke boundaries when He came to minister to and redeem mankind. We also see the big picture when Wright tells us that Luke is portraying Jesus as the true ruler of the world instead of Caesar (in his comments on Luke 2 and Simeon and Anna). By dealing honestly and deeply with the passage at hand, Wright makes us read in a refreshing and nourishing way.

I'm studying various commentaries and devotionals to find those that are most profitable for God's people, including myself, and Wright's "_______ for Everyone" series is a magnificent set of commentaries I highly recommend. One of the most remarkable aspects of the series is Wright himself who is not only a world-class theologian and scholar but also, it turns out, an exceptional popular writer. In each volume in the series, Wright makes use of his academic knowledge of the language of the Bible (he provides his own translation of each book!) and the historical and literary background and combines it with an enjoyable, readable style. He has accomplished something that I as a priest, teacher, and writer can only hope to imitate in a less monumental way.

Wright's commentaries have a different flavor from most commentaries. He doesn't comment on or explain each verse but looks at each passage as a whole, making comments on the key themes and most important points. He brings to life the distant ancient world of the New Testament in a way that Everyone can understand. One of the things that helps him do this is the useful illustrations that he uses throughout. While the books in the series are not exactly devotional commentaries, the fact that they are popular, use illustrations, and offer brief reflections on the meaning of the passage for today, they can be used in devotional way. They occupy approximately the same ground as the classic commentary set by Barclay's, which is still very useful but which is also marred with some degree of liberalism.

Get "Luke for Everyone": you are one of the "everyones" to whom Wright is writing!

This is our third copy--We keep govong them away to others! I find it very helpful for sermons.

Just to give you a few of my credentials, which are not many. I have a Bachelor's Degree in ministries. I am almost finished with my master's degree in theology at Liberty University. I have been involved in the ministry for many years. I also own many complete series of commentaries. If there is a series I try to own it in book form, including "Adam Clarke Commentary," "Beacon Bible Commentary," "The Daily Study Bible Series," and others.

The book is very conversational and really easy to read. Matter-of-fact, almost too easy. A young child could read this and understand it for the most part. It gives many down-to-earth illustrations that are up to date. To really grasp my meaning it would be beneficial to read as long of a section before buying. This will really illuminate what I am trying to tell you. The only downfall is there it does seem to stray away from theology and the harder issues. The major strength, due to the readability, would have to be the ability for the reader to grasp the basics of what the scripture means, for the most part. These books are almost perfect for "the average Joe" and for those people I would probably rate it a 4 to 4.5 star rating. The lower rating is because of the lack of theology and avoidance of the hard issues. This book would be a great resource for the average Joe who wants to delve more into the scriptures, Sunday School teachers, laymen and women, or anyone without a theology degree.

For the theologian, that wants to really delve more into the scriptures and study word meanings, theology, or anything in depth, this is probably not the book or books for you. There are some great illustrations that one might be able to use at the pulpit, though. For the pastor, or anyone who has went to seminary, this is probably not the set of books that you want to invest the money to buy. However, it would not be bad if you get asked a lot of times to let someone borrow a book this might be good to purchase for that purpose. If you fall into this category I would have to give this a rating of about 1.5 of 5 stars.