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Frederick Fyvie Bruce
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Hard Sayings of Jesus (The Hard Sayings Series) Paperback – July 14, 1983

by F. F. Bruce (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 181 ratings
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Like his original hearers many people today find Jesus' sayings hard. Some sayings are hard because they are difficult to understand, others because the demands they make on us are only too clear.

F. F. Bruce examines seventy of the hard sayings of Jesus to clear away the cultural and historical difficulties which keep us from grappling with the real challenge of Jesus' message. Evident in each chapter is Bruce's keen evangelical scholarship and pastoral insight.

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  1. Part of series
    The Hard Sayings
  2. Print length
    266 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    IVP Academic
  5. Publication date
    July 14, 1983
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.8 x 8.25 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0877849277
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0877849278
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The Hard Sayings of Jesus (Hodder Christian Essentials)
The Hard Sayings of Jesus (Hodder Christian Essentials)
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

F. F. Bruce (1910-1990) was known worldwide as the "dean of evangelical scholarship"―a reputation earned by a lifetime of scholarship, teaching, and writing. Trained in classics at the University of Aberdeen and Cambridge University, he taught at the Universities of Edinburgh, Leeds, and Sheffield before serving for nearly twenty years as the Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester in England. During his distinguished career, he wrote many outstanding commentaries and books, including Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free; Israel and the Nations; New Testament History; The Books and the Parchments: How We Got Our English Bible; Jesus and Christian Origins Outside the New Testament; and The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? He also served as general editor of The New International Commentary on the New Testament.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP Academic
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 14, 1983
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 266 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0877849277
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0877849278
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.25 inches
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ The Hard Sayings
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 181 ratings

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Frederick Fyvie Bruce

Frederick Fyvie Bruce

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
181 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book excellent for understanding Scripture, with one noting it's written by a knowledgeable author. Moreover, the book is instrumental in helping readers gain a better understanding of Jesus' teachings, with one review highlighting its thought-provoking explanations. Additionally, customers consider it well worth the price.

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30 customers mention "Readability"26 positive4 negative

Customers find the book readable and well-written, with one customer noting that the author is knowledgeable about Scripture.

"...The author provides context and details which prompt us to move beyond a surface-level understanding and into deeper knowledge of the message Jesus..." Read more

"Bruce obviously has the background of biblical language and an understanding of the customs of the first century to make these sayings of Jesus..." Read more

"This is a good tool to have on hand when reading Scripture...." Read more

"...While the content is excellent, it's disappointing that I can't enhance my personal insights while reading or preparing lessons." Read more

19 customers mention "Insight"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book instrumental in helping them gain a better understanding of Jesus' teachings, describing it as fascinating and an awesome research resource.

"This book is a helpful companion when reading the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...." Read more

"..."The Hard Sayings of Jesus" by F.F. Bruce was instrumental in helping me gain a better understanding to some of the more challenging passages found..." Read more

"...Helpful but not the final word on passages that are difficult first read. A worthy purchase to consider." Read more

"...I found this book to be both interesting and helpful." Read more

4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be worth the price, with one mentioning it's a great addition to any library.

"...A worthy purchase to consider." Read more

"...a good reference book to have on your self, especially since its so affordable." Read more

"...Great read for any Biblical student. Well worth the price for the material contained." Read more

"Great value! Unexpected quality! Quick shipment!..." Read more

Great value! Unexpected quality! Quick shipment!
5 out of 5 stars
Great value! Unexpected quality! Quick shipment!
The book is from 1983 - but literally looks brand new! No marks or blemishes. Crisp pages. No odors. Outstanding quality! Hardcover at fraction of the cost of the paperback version Thank you.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • billy bob jenkins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful companion when reading Gospels
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a helpful companion when reading the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

    In short 2-7 page sections, F.F. Bruce helps the reader to interpret sayings that are difficult to understand in an initial (or more) reading.

    Some hard sayings considered are:
    - eating the flesh & drinking the blood of the Son of Man
    - if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out
    - lead us not into temptation
    - Jesus cursing the fig tree
    - ...and many more

    The passages addressed often seem unsettling at first glance, if not downright weird. The author provides context and details which prompt us to move beyond a surface-level understanding and into deeper knowledge of the message Jesus taught.

    You could read straight through this book. But I use it more for researching sayings as I come across them in the gospel text.

    The author's goal is writing the book was to "help readers to see what the main emphases of [Jesus's] teaching were" and I think he succeeded.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • renee dawson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I will keep this book forever. Used for class
    3 people found this helpful
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  • AlbMonk
    4.0 out of 5 stars Hard Sayings Made to Understand
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Many of those who listened to Jesus during His earthly ministry and those who read His words in the Gospels today find many of His teachings hard to understand and difficult to live by. Jesus taught many things that ran against the grain of society and were counter to the culture of His day. His teachings truly were radical. He made no provisions in offending those who were in authority, and was often found praising those who were considered the trash heap of society. All of His teachings make both the hearer and reader think, not only about their own lives, but how they are to live amongst and interact with others. In his book, "The Hard Sayings of Jesus" F.F. Bruce explores many of these difficult teachings and exposits them in a way which allows the student of the Bible to better understand what Jesus taught on these more difficult subjects.

    The reading of, "The Hard Sayings of Jesus" by F.F. Bruce was instrumental in helping me gain a better understanding to some of the more challenging passages found throughout the Gospels, particularly certain teachings of Christ. Jesus often used spiritual allegory, parables, and symbolic illustrations to help teach certain truths to His disciples. However, Jesus also employed the use of literal teachings absent of any illustrations or allegory, proclaiming truths for all of us to live by that are pertinent to us today. How does the student of the Bible distinguish between spiritual allegory and literal interpretation? I believe Bruce clearly differentiated the two throughout his book and clearly articulated what is to be taken as symbolic versus literal.

    From a personal level, this book helped me understand some of the teachings of Christ that I myself struggled with. For example, in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21), Jesus explains that certain things will occur within "this generation". Was He speaking to the generation of the disciples, or was He speaking of a future generation? I believe Bruce cleared up this matter very clearly. I also struggled with the passage concerning Jesus' instructions for His disciples to purchase two swords (see Luke 22:36). Why would Jesus who taught peace and non-violence contradict himself and do such a thing? Again, Bruce cleared up this matter very well in that the swords are not literal, but a figurative understanding of what the disciples will soon experience.

    Lastly, understanding some of these more difficult passages will better equip me, as a missionary, to communicate the true meaning of Jesus' teachings to a people group who do not yet know Him. As a part of my ministry serving amongst the Roma people of Albania, I will be conducting Bible studies to non-believers as a tool for evangelism. Furthermore, I will be conducting Bible studies to new believers and will help disciple them into mature and faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Imparting the truth behind some of these more difficult teachings of Christ to both the non-believers and believers alike will certainly help them truly understand who Jesus is.
    21 people found this helpful
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  • JP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Why skim over Bible passages which are perplexing- when you have the opportunity to refer to a condensed book like this? Helpful but not the final word on passages that are difficult first read. A worthy purchase to consider.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • J. Hugh Law
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bruce obviously has the background of biblical language and an ...
    Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Bruce obviously has the background of biblical language and an understanding of the customs of the first century to make these sayings of Jesus clear in terminology that is in current use today. I found this book to be both interesting and helpful.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great addition to you Bible study time.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a good tool to have on hand when reading Scripture. It's nice to look up these sayings and get them fleshed out more according to the era and language used.
    One person found this helpful
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  • DT
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great value! Unexpected quality! Quick shipment!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The book is from 1983 - but literally looks brand new! No marks or blemishes. Crisp pages. No odors. Outstanding quality! Hardcover at fraction of the cost of the paperback version Thank you.
    Customer image
    DT
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Great value! Unexpected quality! Quick shipment!

    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
    The book is from 1983 - but literally looks brand new! No marks or blemishes. Crisp pages. No odors. Outstanding quality! Hardcover at fraction of the cost of the paperback version Thank you.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • BWLee
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not Kindle Scribe Enabled
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The Kindle version of this book lacks support for the on-text writing features of the Kindle Scribe. While the content is excellent, it's disappointing that I can't enhance my personal insights while reading or preparing lessons.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • isaiah bennett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Great book. The author engages in a well and articulate manner with some of the hard sayings found in the Bible. An important read for anyone questioning the words of Jesus
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  • JITEN KUMAR NAYAK
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good and helpful
    Reviewed in India on August 22, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Helpful to dig deeper!
    Report
  • LA GiV
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
    Reviewed in Mexico on February 10, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Excelente , clara explicación
    Muy buena herramienta de consulta
    Report
  • D. Moulson
    3.0 out of 5 stars Most.useful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    As someone who regularly preaches, I am often challenged about difficulties with scripture. F.F.Bruce offers measured and well researched answers.
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  • Michel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really good
    Reviewed in Canada on August 3, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Très bien
    Report