The Gospel According to Luke I-IX

The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries

by Joseph A. Fitzmyer

In this first of two volumes of the Gospel according to Luke, Joseph A. Fitzmyer provides an exhaustive introduction, a definitive new translation, and extensive notes and commentary on Luke's Gospel. Fitzmyer brings to the task his mastery of ancient and modern languages, his encyclopedic knowledge of the sources, and his intimate acquaintance with the questions and issues occasioned by the third Synoptic Gospel.
Luke's unique literary and linguistic features, its relation to the other Gospels and the book of Acts, and its distinctive theological slant are discussed in detail by the author. The Jesus of Luke's Gospel speaks to the Greco-Roman world of first-century Christians, giving the followers of Jesus a reason for remaining faithful. Fitzmyer's exposition helps modern-day Christians hear the Good News afresh.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Christianity, Theology, New Testament, Religion

837 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Jon Pentecost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful, but not enough to recommend. Gets bogged down in so much source critical theory about where Luke gets his Jesus traditions from that it regularly overlooks Luke's own literary structuring, purpose in recounting and ordering his account.

Very strong in pointing out OT allusions--not only the ones the author thinks are clear, but even vague, possible ones. This was probably the most useful part of the book. Used in conjunction with Bock's commentary, and Bock provides as good as, if not better instruction on Greek and the cultural context, with not quite so much source critical baggage. While I normally like this series for the sake of careful, technical work in the Greek, the usefulness of this one is blurred by the modern historical critical silliness that somehow thinks understanding where different Jesus accounts have come from is more important than the actual written text for understanding what the Gospel writers were meaning to communicate to us.

Used in preparing to preach Luke in 2019, 2020

[Fred Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, especially considering how old this is. I expected the more recent Hermeneia volumes on Luke to be better, but this one blows the first one away IMO. That simply may be because the first volume in the Hermeneia series contained far less detail than this volume. IDK. My plan is to read the second volume in this set and then return to Hermeneia. If I find I've been unfair, I'll come back and edit this review.

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this two volume commentary for a class entitled "The Gospel of Luke" during the first semester of 1993/94 at Loyola University Chicago. It was my last class there and my second class with the Institute of Pastoral Studies, the idea being to eventually become an adjunct faculty member in the program to supplement my administrative work with the university.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful resource

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dated, but still a great commentary on Luke, especially for its detail.