Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels #1

by J.C. Ryle

Even now, decades or centuries later, the brilliance of men like Calvin, Hodge and Spurgeon still speaks through the Crossway Classic Commentaries, which present the all-time best, written commentaries on individual books of the Bible. Each volume has been abridged and stylistically adapted for today's readers by series editors J.I. Packer and Mister McGrath, while carefully preserving the meaning and message of the original expositors.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Devotional, Reference, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies, Christianity

408 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1856

About the author

(John Charles Ryle) Ryle started his ministry as curate at the Chapel of Ease in Exbury, Hampshire, moving on to become rector of St Thomas's, Winchester in 1843 and then rector of Helmingham, Suffolk the following year. While at Helmingham he married and was widowed twice. He began publishing popular tracts, and Matthew, Mark and Luke of his series of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels were published in successive years (1856-1858). His final parish was Stradbroke, also in Suffolk, where he moved in 1861, and it was as vicar of All Saints that he became known nationally for his straightforward preaching and firm defence of evangelical principles. He wrote several well-known and still-in-print books, often addressing issues of contemporary relevance for the Church from a biblical standpoint. He completed his Expository Thoughts on the Gospels while at Stradbroke, with his work on the Gospel of John (1869). His third marriage, to Henrietta Amelia Clowes in 1861, lasted until her death in 1889.

Reviews

[Dkovlak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The real title of the book that I read was simply “The Gospel of Matthew” by JC Ryle it was 283 pages and it was written in 1856. I could not find it listed on the Goodreads books. I read the Kindle edition.

This was an excellent book.

JC Ryle writes clearly and directly. He systematically goes through the book verse by verse.

I look forward to reading other commentaries by him.

[Bex Purdue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely unreal. The way J.C. Ryle handles, understands and explains scripture communicated his obvious deep love for God’s word and conviction for Christ to be gloried. Highly encouraging but uncomfortably challenging.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read J.C. Ryle's commentary on Matthew in 2013. I decided to reread it for a super-obvious reason: it's worth rereading. If a book is really worth reading in the first place, it is often worth rereading.

J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) is one of my favorite authors. He was a Victorian, a contemporary of Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892). (Though the two are different; one remained in the church of England, the other was Baptist. Both are Reformed.) I've spent most of the year sharing quotes from both Victorian theologians.

This book is a commentary--chapter by chapter--of the gospel of Matthew. It includes a reprint of the Scripture text. After presenting the text of the Bible, Ryle shares his thoughts on what we've just read. He keeps things organized and straight-forward. He is passionate, zealous, and not afraid of asking tough questions. His goal wasn't to make his audience feel comfy-cozy-safe-and-warm. He wanted his audience to think, to consider, to weigh, to question spiritual matters of the utmost importance. Are they indeed saved? What does it mean to be saved? What are we saved from? What are we saved to?

[Collin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryle has many good insights on the Scriptures. I was helped and encouraged as I read this alongside my study of Matthew. I needed Ryle to point me to obedience and the cross. I just so happen to be reading Holiness by him as well which does the same thing.

[Charles Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.C. Ryle. What a gift to Christ's church.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Was. Epic!!!! I loved this commentary and I used it every single week as I taught through Matthew. So good

[Benjamin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just lovely.

[Sara Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best, devotional commentaries I have ever read. It really helped me through the slog of devotions while sleep deprived with a newborn. Piercing the heart and applicable for everyone- not just students or pastors. Will definitely read again and look at the other in the series. It’s available free online too!

[Storm Grimwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sick read! Warm, pastoral and practical. Ryle focuses on obedience, daily bearing of your cross and what true discipleship looks like, which I loved.

[Danny Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, readable, profound thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew. A great companion to slowly working through Matthew's gospel! I love Ryle's conviction, clarity, and simplicity.

[Betsy Ambler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1856. Totally spot on. Loved finding out from mum that my Grandpa had these commentaries too!

[Becky Pliego · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and always encouraging. I very much enjoy reading Ryle and always learn something new from him.

I also discovered in this commentary that Ryle's eschatology was not optimistic. :(

[Kenneth Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

We slowly read through this for family worship. It is quite rich and practical.

[Mike King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A former pastor of mine used to encourage me to “read the old, dead guys.” My first experience with Ryle was his short work “Thoughts for Young Men.” I was blown away by how relevant that book was given that he wrote it a long time ago. I can say the same about “Expository Thoughts on Matthew.”

I read this book devotionally as Ryle exposits his way through Matthew’s gospel. The depth of Ryle’s understanding of Scripture and ease of drawing application from every passage stood out the most to me. I will certainly continue to read this “old, dead guy.”

[Drew Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great commentary to supplement a daily reading plan. The chapters are short and the commentary is pointed. Ryle’s plan was to select “two, three, or four prominent points in the passage, singled them out from the rest, dwelt exclusively on them, and endeavored to enforce them plainly and vigorously on the reader’s attention. The points selected will be found to be sometimes doctrinal, and sometimes practical. The only rule in selection has been to seize on the really leading points of the passage.”

[Claudia Valdivieso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunque Ryle era dispensacionalista, no deja de ser un gran comentario para la vida práctica.

[Jim Bigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Praise the Lord for J.C. Ryle

[James Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I must admit, I'm a bit partial to Ryle and am heartily encouraged and edified by almost everything he writes. But even so, I strongly believe this book would be beneficial to anyone who reads. I will say at the outset something that took me a little time to get used to. This is some "expository thoughts" on the gospel of Matthew. It is certainly not a commentary and is not meant to be. This is not supposed to be a tool that will enable one to dive in the minutia of each phrase and story in the gospel. Rather, the author writes this in a style that is almost devotional. Each chapter covers 10-20 verses (or so) of the gospel of Matthew and the author then writes 4-5 pages on these verses. It is profitable and encouraging, but certainly not a comprehensive study of Matthew. If you want that, get a commentary! I picked up the whole series of these (1 volume of Mark, 1 volume of Luke, and 3 of John to go!) and I think next time I will treat my reading of these in devotional fashion, read at the end of my quiet time each morning. Certainly, do not think that trying to read this quick would be of use or beneficial to mind or spirit. All that being said. Once I got past the fact that this wasn't a scholarly commentary on the gospel, but really more of a pastoral preaching of the gospel of Matthew, I found myself oh so blessed through reading this work. We would all do well to read and meditate more on Christ. And this book mightily aided me in this goal. I will say that while the early chapters are good, the last third or so (pretty much starting with Passion week) contained so many nuggets that thrilled my soul. Oh how good it is to meditate on the person and work of Christ Jesus our Lord, His name be praised forever and ever!!

[Tony Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one super easy book to read when simply looking to enjoy learning about Jesus Christ as savior of the world. The book is written in a style that could be read at family devotions. Ryle simply makes observations and draws out points that help us to understand the Gospel and to help us understand the mission of Jesus Christ. I love this book and especially his thoughts on Peter who denied Christ yet earlier in the week before Christ's death said he would die for him. Ryle points out that we must always stay humble and live in a constant state of distrust in ourselves. When we get arrogant is when we get in trouble just as Peter did before he denied Christ three times. Nothing revolutionary(except the Gospel which is completely revolutionary) in this book and I did it as a devotional over a couple of months. I loved it and I know you will also. Now I am reading his thoughts on the Gospel of Mark. I bought the entire set of the Expositions and am working my way through all four.

[richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Expository Thoughts on Matthew ~ J. C. Ryle

⭐⭐⭐✨ 3.5/5

I really like books written by J. C. Ryle, so I was very excited to start a gospel commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. As expected in J.C style there were many questions that one must ask himself when reading a gospel. J. C. Ryle always gives examination questions and these make you think . I will say that this book was at its best when we got to the sufferings of Christ.

J. C. Ryle has a wonderful way of writing about the sufferings of Christ. The writer is an amazing minister of the gospel and is probably one of the best bishops the church of England has ever had. J. C. Ryle was the first bishop of Liverpool and believed in the sufficiency of scripture and the great need of the gospel, many this day would not stand up to this man, and so there is a lot to be learned from his writings.

His best work for me so far has to be his book "Holiness" a must read for anyone wanting to go deeper into the Christian faith.

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strangely, I am reading the first of Ryle's commentaries on the gospels last. I have been blessed by them all. The commentaries on Mark and John have been great with the one on look is good it did not attain the greatness of the other two already read [imo obviously].
Matthew has started off a little rocky as Ryle didn't seem to notice the visit of the magi was much later [though less than 2 years] than the birth night visit of the shepherds in the stable. I have no doubt it will only get better from here.

[T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

it's a decent devotional but it's pretty overrated. It definitely shouldn't be considered a commentary, and his eschatology is childish and embarrassing. I also think he can be a bit repetitive sometimes in his word usage. Every section he seems to say "there is a deep wisdom here in Christs words". Its decent devotional stuff but I wouldn't recommend it to new believers as it contains much error. Who knows, maybe his thoughts on John are worthwhile.

[Ian Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get it! Read it; to yourself, devotionally; to your family for daily edification. Listen to and meditate upon. One will be hard pressed to find anything (Including with Matthew, Ryle's 'Expository Thoughts' on Mark, Luke, and John) - anything! - comparable. What an immense gift to God's people is this study (and the whole series)!

[Scott Head · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ryle is warm and pastoral, friendly and encouraging. This is just what it says, the good Bishop's thoughts. Organized and methodical, yet warm. Each section is rarely more than three or four pages, and makes a great companion reader to the gospel. Combine with Spurgeon and you will have a robust Bible study duo.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this as a devotional, taking one section per day. I thoroughly enjoyed Ryle's thoughts and writing. I consider it more pastoral than academic which I really appreciate. This provided a meaningful devotional experience that brought me closer in my relationship with Christ. I look forward to continuing this experience with his book of Mark.

[Kathrynia Songoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first commenetery I’ve read whilst reading the gosepl of Matthew. There is so much depth and insight when reading in conjunction to the Bible. I love how J.C Ryle takes apart every verse never rushed through to allow the reader to spend time in each chapters. Recommend for people wanting to pick up their first commentary. 🤩🙌🏾

[Stephen P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Ryle and recommend this commentary on Matthew. It is not a very intense or complex commentary, as some are. It is written more in the style of a devotional commentary, with many extremely helpful insights into the Gospel of Matthew and helpful hints for daily living in a lost world. Although written in the Nineteenth Century, Ryle is extremely readable.

[Kyle Gillam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very warm, pastoral, and practical. Ryle’s commentary greatly encouraged me while reading through Matthew in my daily devotions. In a season of life with a newborn and so being limited in time and energy to dig and reflect, this has been so helpful to my soul. Will be re-reading. Can’t wait to read Mark next!

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the classic exposition on book of Matthew. its not long but quite powerful in the homiletics. its not a deep exegesis, but reading this could help you understand the scriptures from a different angle.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used Ryle's expositions both in sermon preparation and devotionally and always come away with a richer understanding of the Scriptures he's expounding, a deeper awe of God, and a greater assurance in the comfort of the gospel.