Matthew: Evangelist and Teacher [Paperback]

R. T. France (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 346 pages
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers (September 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592449360
• ISBN-13: 978-1592449361
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,364,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A 300 page introduction to the Gospel of Matthew, February 19, 2001

By 

Timotheus Josephus - See all my reviews

This review is from: Matthew: Evangelist & Teacher (New Testament Profiles) (Paperback)

This work acts primarily as an introduction and summary of the gospel of Matthew, but it is not a commentary. France spends a good portion of the book discussing the authorship, date, and origin of Matthew. He takes the conservative route and argues that this gospel was written before 65 C.E. and that it was possibly written by Matthew, the apostle and tax collector. He finds no compelling reason to prove that this book was not written by the apostle, but he is clear to say that he is not dogmatic on this issue and leaves some room for doubt as to the author.

France then discusses the literary character and writing style of Matthew. He also covers some of the major themes found in this gospel including its focus on fulfilment, Israel, and the church. He brings a good deal of insight to many of these areas because he is willing to interact with a broad range of others who have written on Matthew. The bibliography contains an excellent list of resources for further study on the first gospel. If you're looking for an overview of Matthew without the commentary and written from a conservative viewpoint, then this book is for you.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good First Book on the Evangelist Matthew, November 29, 2007

By 

John D. White "camsterdad" (Cayce, South Carolina United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Matthew: Evangelist and Teacher (Paperback)

Well its time in the lectionary cycle for the gospel of Matthew and you didn't cover it in seminary. And you have all those texts waiting for your exegesis, exposition, and explanation--and you don't know what to say or where to begin. Do you just jump straight into the commentaries? Are there some other books that might be worthwhile reading as a start? If this is the scenario in which you find yourself, France's introduction here is a marvelous book to begin to work through. The issues are presented fairly, the sum of recent scholarship is covered quickly and accurately, and the theology of the evangelist is presented as a beginning for further study. In this book France covers:

1.) Matthew as the first canonical gospel
2.) Just who was "Matthew" anyway
3.) The setting of the gospel and its literary character
4.) What do we mean by Jesus being the 'fulfillment' of Israel's hopes and dreams?
5.) The relationship between Matthew as a gospel and the people of Israel
6.) Matthew's gospel and the church (is the church the new Israel?)
7.) What does Matthew say about Jesus and how is Jesus presented in this gospel?

If you desire to be a prepared preacher when mounting the pulpit on Sunday morning this book will help in that process.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent shorter (345 pages) Commentary on Matthew, January 7, 2010

By 

JJ - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Matthew: Evangelist & Teacher (New Testament Profiles) (Paperback)

France's excellent longer commentary on Matthew The Gospel of Matthew (New International Commentary on the New Testament) is incredible, but if you are looking for a commentary that is less than a thousand pages, this is it. In fact, since France starts with some introductory material that isn't all that unique, you are talking about 200 + pages of cream! It is wonderful. France goes over literary aspects of the Gospel (key to interpretation) and he lays out the parallel and chiastic structure in easy to see charts/outlines that enable the reader to glean information quickly. It is a treasure, to be sure. Skip the first 120 pages and you will start with Chapter 4 of pure insights and discoveries that will help with this challenging book. A hidden gem for a pastor or teacher.