Reading Matthew: A Literary & Theological Commentary on the First Gospel (Reading the New Testament (Smyth & Helwys)) [Paperback]

David E. Garland (Author)

Book Description

Series: Reading the New Testament (Smyth & Helwys) | Publication Date: February 1999

This commentary does not follow the traditional verse-by-verse method. It is concerned rather with understanding large thought units and their relationship to Matthew's thought as a whole. With the focus on the "big picture," rather than the minutiae, Reading Matthew will appeal to the busy pastor, the nonspecialist, the informed lay person, and the college or seminary student.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This commentary, organized by large sections, relates Matthew's concerns in his introduction of Jesus (chapters 1-4) to those in his account of Jesus' ministry (4-16) and of Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection (16-28). Garland (New Testament, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) writes for clergy, informed laity, and students interested in the larger picture of Matthew's gospel based upon close textual reading. For instance, he discusses Matthew's disrupting the genealogical pattern of "X the father of Y" by including, contrary to normal pattern, five women. To Garland, Matthew is especially "narrative about Jesus Messiah, son of God" and was intended to reveal the true nature of the individual. Recommended for seminary, undergraduate, and public libraries.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Smyth & Helwys Publishing (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573122742
• ISBN-13: 978-1573122740
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Helpful Short Commentary, December 22, 2009

By 

W. Larson (Iowa USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reading Matthew: A Literary & Theological Commentary on the First Gospel (Reading the New Testament (Smyth & Helwys)) (Paperback)

For someone who wants to put together a sermon or study on any one passage in Matthew's Gospel, I highly recommend this book.

I picked up this little volume while in the middle of preaching through Matthew at our church. "Reading Matthew" has proven to be a very important resource for me. The book is especially helpful in pointing out the narrative flow of Matthew's gospel.

The book also does a great job of pointing out relevant Old Testament passages that help connect Matthew with the larger story of redemptive history. The author also cites relevant Jewish apocryphal literature that often enriches the context of certain passages.

I used commentaries by Allison/Davies, R.T. France, and D.A. Carson...all very good and helpful in their own right. But time and time again I found myself picking up David E. Garland's "Reading Matthew" to great satisfaction.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breaking new ground, September 3, 2006

By 

Neal F. Mather (DeWitt, NE United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reading Matthew: A Literary & Theological Commentary on the First Gospel (Reading the New Testament (Smyth & Helwys)) (Paperback)

Garland presents an inciteful literary criticism of Matthew's Gospel. This book is a must for sermon preparation or Bible study. It adds and fits well with my Interpretation commentary series.