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Pillar New Testament Commentary
The Gospel According to Luke
In keeping with the Pillar New Testament Commentary’s distinctive character, this volume by James R. Edwards on Luke gives special attention to the Third Gospel’s vocabulary and historical setting, its narrative purpose and unique themes, and its theological significance for the church and believers today.
Though Luke is often thought to have a primarily Gentile focus, Edwards counterbalances that perspective by citing numerous evidences of Luke’s overarching interest in depicting Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s providential work in the history of Israel, and he even considers the possibility that Luke himself was a Jew. In several excursuses Edwards discusses particular topics, including Luke’s infancy narratives, the mission of Jesus as the way of salvation, and Luke’s depiction of the universal scope of the gospel.
While fully conversant with all the latest scholarship, Edwards writes in a lively, fluent style that will commend this commentary to ministers, students, scholars, and many other serious Bible readers.
Though Luke is often thought to have a primarily Gentile focus, Edwards counterbalances that perspective by citing numerous evidences of Luke’s overarching interest in depicting Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s providential work in the history of Israel, and he even considers the possibility that Luke himself was a Jew. In several excursuses Edwards discusses particular topics, including Luke’s infancy narratives, the mission of Jesus as the way of salvation, and Luke’s depiction of the universal scope of the gospel.
While fully conversant with all the latest scholarship, Edwards writes in a lively, fluent style that will commend this commentary to ministers, students, scholars, and many other serious Bible readers.
859 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2015
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42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 28, 2021
As expected with any volume in the Pillar series, this is a solid and reformed commentary. This commentary was very well written, very to the point but it went into more detail on certain issues when it was needed. I feel like this commentary had more than enough information for the pastor and layperson alike but for anyone wanting more details on issues in Luke I recommend the one in the baker series by Darrell Bock at almost 3 times the length. My only minor complaint with this book was that the biblical text wasn't in the commentary so a Bible was needed along side this. But other than that this is definitely another solid commentary from the Pillar series.
May 27, 2018
24 Mar 2018
Just started this volume today. I have two other commentaries on Luke, one by Joel Greene which takes a literary approach, not engaging (in my opinion) with the persons in the text, and the other is by Darrell Bock for the NIV Application Commentary series which (in this case) is "commentary light."
Both commentaries have value, but, having just read through James Edwards' Pillar commentary on Mark, I missed that intimate look at the people and the historical times when reading my other two Luke commentaries, so I purchased Edwards' Luke commentary today. I'm playing catch up now with my Bible reading plan, and it's like a breath of fresh air. My study is energized again.
25 Mar 2018
This is a sample of the type of detail Edwards supplies that helps me engage with the text (Luke 2:7)
"The footprint of a typical first-century Palestine dwelling was a rectangle divided into three spaces: a large central room with a stable for animals on one end and a guest room (katalyma) on the other. All three rooms normally had separate entrances. The katalyma was an attached guest room separated from the central room by a solid wall. 29 The stable was separated from the central room by a half-wall, thus allowing the family to feed animals without going outdoors. When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, the guest rooms in homes were already occupied, and hence the newborn Jesus was swaddled and placed in a manger. The manger was within sight, sound, and reach of the central room."
He follows this section with a brief discussion about how early Christians saw certain aspects of the birth narrative.
(Note: My version of this Pillar volume is on Android Kindle. This book has not been updated to the new Kindle format where the footnotes pop up and you can dismiss them by touching the "X." This is surprising since most Kindle books I own have been updated, and this book is relatively new (published in 2015, I believe) in comparison to other commentaries I own. I like the new format much better than the old.)
31 Mar 2018
One of the reasons I like Edwards so much is the lessons he derives from the text. For example, take this verse:
Luke 6:10 NIV
He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored.
Edwards talks about a person with a disability tending to hide the disability or physical defect. I know this is true for some because I have certain physical defects requiring that I wear leg braces to walk. I wear them, usually, beneath my clothes so that at a casual glance, I look like everyone else. Edwards pulls this lesson, among others, from the text: "The man’s infirmity could be healed only by exposing it to Jesus. Faith is a risk that Jesus is worthy of trust when no other hope can be trusted."
Just started this volume today. I have two other commentaries on Luke, one by Joel Greene which takes a literary approach, not engaging (in my opinion) with the persons in the text, and the other is by Darrell Bock for the NIV Application Commentary series which (in this case) is "commentary light."
Both commentaries have value, but, having just read through James Edwards' Pillar commentary on Mark, I missed that intimate look at the people and the historical times when reading my other two Luke commentaries, so I purchased Edwards' Luke commentary today. I'm playing catch up now with my Bible reading plan, and it's like a breath of fresh air. My study is energized again.
25 Mar 2018
This is a sample of the type of detail Edwards supplies that helps me engage with the text (Luke 2:7)
"The footprint of a typical first-century Palestine dwelling was a rectangle divided into three spaces: a large central room with a stable for animals on one end and a guest room (katalyma) on the other. All three rooms normally had separate entrances. The katalyma was an attached guest room separated from the central room by a solid wall. 29 The stable was separated from the central room by a half-wall, thus allowing the family to feed animals without going outdoors. When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, the guest rooms in homes were already occupied, and hence the newborn Jesus was swaddled and placed in a manger. The manger was within sight, sound, and reach of the central room."
He follows this section with a brief discussion about how early Christians saw certain aspects of the birth narrative.
(Note: My version of this Pillar volume is on Android Kindle. This book has not been updated to the new Kindle format where the footnotes pop up and you can dismiss them by touching the "X." This is surprising since most Kindle books I own have been updated, and this book is relatively new (published in 2015, I believe) in comparison to other commentaries I own. I like the new format much better than the old.)
31 Mar 2018
One of the reasons I like Edwards so much is the lessons he derives from the text. For example, take this verse:
Luke 6:10 NIV
He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored.
Edwards talks about a person with a disability tending to hide the disability or physical defect. I know this is true for some because I have certain physical defects requiring that I wear leg braces to walk. I wear them, usually, beneath my clothes so that at a casual glance, I look like everyone else. Edwards pulls this lesson, among others, from the text: "The man’s infirmity could be healed only by exposing it to Jesus. Faith is a risk that Jesus is worthy of trust when no other hope can be trusted."
June 18, 2015
Looking for an up-to-date commentary on the Gospel of Luke? This latest offering in the Pillar New Testament Commentary series, edited by the venerable D. A. Carson, might be just what you are looking for. Mr. Edwards already contributed the well-received volume on Mark in this series, and this new volume has been eagerly anticipated.
The Introduction is relatively short, but its strength lies in discussing things you read no where else. If you consult several commentaries, they can at times be painfully repetitive. He makes a strong statement on the Word of God in his first paragraph, which makes you feel in good hands. His section on the testimony we get from Early Christianity is fascinating. History is his special trait throughout the entire volume actually.
I could not agree with him on sources. There is much speculation in such a discussion, and he does not just skip to the final form as some do now.
Despite my disagreement on sources, the commentary sparkled with great, pertinent detail that really gave insight into the text. For example, there was plenty of material on the birth of Christ that would help anyone teaching or preaching. In fact, I found that true in every passage I studied in it. I call attention to his masterful handling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. That was a joy to read and had profound spiritual insight as well. The Cross and the Resurrection were standout too.
I will always consult this volume on any passage on Luke that I study going forward. I predict pastors will love this volume just as I do. This is a winner!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Introduction is relatively short, but its strength lies in discussing things you read no where else. If you consult several commentaries, they can at times be painfully repetitive. He makes a strong statement on the Word of God in his first paragraph, which makes you feel in good hands. His section on the testimony we get from Early Christianity is fascinating. History is his special trait throughout the entire volume actually.
I could not agree with him on sources. There is much speculation in such a discussion, and he does not just skip to the final form as some do now.
Despite my disagreement on sources, the commentary sparkled with great, pertinent detail that really gave insight into the text. For example, there was plenty of material on the birth of Christ that would help anyone teaching or preaching. In fact, I found that true in every passage I studied in it. I call attention to his masterful handling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. That was a joy to read and had profound spiritual insight as well. The Cross and the Resurrection were standout too.
I will always consult this volume on any passage on Luke that I study going forward. I predict pastors will love this volume just as I do. This is a winner!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
January 3, 2021
An incredible resource to your library. I read it cover to cover in connection with a class on Luke by Dr. Edwards and was profoundly impacted by all I learned. Many commentaries can feel still, but this one was intellectually rigorous yet spiritually nourishing to read. It will be my first commentary to refer to as our congregation begins our exploration of the Third Gospel.
April 12, 2024
Really enjoyed this commentary. It is pastoral, so expect some technical discussions about sources and historicity, but there’s a ton of good theological reflection that leads to good applicational thinking.
November 23, 2024
my man can't stop talking about his theory of the hebrew gospel
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews