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Matthew was the most popular Gospel in the early church, widely read for its clear emphasis on Jesus' teaching. Drawing on its use as a teaching or discipleship manual, Craig Keener expounds Matthew as a discipleship manual for believers today. In his skilled hands, this first-century text becomes as relevant and contemporary as information downloaded from the Internet, while it challenges us with its divine perspective on how life ought to be lived. In this clear, incisive commentary, readers will find an introduction with background material concerning authorship, date and purpose, as well as a summary of important theological themes. A passage-by-passage exposition follows that focuses on understanding what significance the Gospel of Matthew had for its original readers in order to see its relevance for the church today. Students, pastors, Bible teachers and everyone who wants to understand the message of Matthew for the church will benefit from this excellent resource.
- GenresReferenceNonfiction
444 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1997
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47 people want to read
About the author
Craig S. Keener
146 books247 followersCraig S. Keener (PhD, Duke University) is professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of many books, including Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, the bestseller The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, The Historical Jesus of the Gospels, Gift and Giver, and commentaries on Matthew, John, Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, and Revelation.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 29, 2017
This volume is a precursor to Craig Keener’s large socio-rhetorical commentary on Matthew’s Gospel. Over the last several years he has garnered quite a reputation as a voluminous writer of large commentaries. After that large Matthew commentary, Keener gave us a large 2-volume commentary on John and then a massive 4-volume commentary on Acts that is so big it could be made into a piece of furniture. Before all of those prolific writings, Keener tried his hand on Matthew here in the respected IVP New Testament series. This series is geared toward “solid, biblical exposition and helpful explanatory notes in … user-friendly format.”
He begins his almost 30-page Introduction with a discussion of his approach and desire that the shock value of Jesus’ statements remain. He then explains how source, form, and redaction criticisms have the study of Matthew. I’m not sure that would be as important to his target audience as he feels, but he is clear in his presentation. In different ways he discusses Matthew, his historicity, as well as the structure, authorship, provenance, and date. He is better, in my view, discussing unique features of Matthew’s Gospel.
The commentary is competent and helpful. It is more in line with the aims of the series than the Introduction. I believe it could be an asset to pastors and teachers. It’s the right length for this type of series and provides the right level of help. Worth checking out.
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.
He begins his almost 30-page Introduction with a discussion of his approach and desire that the shock value of Jesus’ statements remain. He then explains how source, form, and redaction criticisms have the study of Matthew. I’m not sure that would be as important to his target audience as he feels, but he is clear in his presentation. In different ways he discusses Matthew, his historicity, as well as the structure, authorship, provenance, and date. He is better, in my view, discussing unique features of Matthew’s Gospel.
The commentary is competent and helpful. It is more in line with the aims of the series than the Introduction. I believe it could be an asset to pastors and teachers. It’s the right length for this type of series and provides the right level of help. Worth checking out.
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.
November 5, 2015
Craig Keener is immersed in his field of study (New Testament and Jewish cultural studies), and his knowledge is made accessible in this breezy and concise commentary. He is upfront about the limitations of such a concise approach (most passages are given little more than a page/half a page of exposition), and readily points to his upcoming (currently available) socio-rhetorical commentary for a more expansive study. However, for quick access to what sits below the surface of Matthew (as author, audience and culture), this entry into the IVP New Testament Commentary Series is more than adequate.
For my own study I have found a gradual immersion in to the text (and world) of Matthew's Gospel in the limited theological focus of Woodley's "The Gospel of Matthew: God With Us", and the interpretative and narrative concern of "Matthew: Storyteller, Interpreter, Evangelist" by Carter (which moves from theological concern towards a more expansive bird's eye view of the authorial audience and cultural background of the written material). Keener's commentary was an excellent next step in moving deeper yet towards the marriage of theological and cultural concern.
Keener rightly narrows in on the themes of two of Matthew's central concerns (Jesus' identity and the Kingdom of Heaven). These two themes weave in to a very defined picture of discipleship both for Matthew's audience and for us today (although Keener spends little time on modern application). A short intro invites us in to a very concise picture of (in his view) the most likely option for date/authoriship (he employs an early to mid 70's composition that incorporates a standard understanding of the two-source hypothesis with an openness and consideration to the evidence that an attestation of Matthew, whoever he may be, currently remains the only known authorial attribution in historical tradition).
The formula that Keener uses groups passages together as a means of moving us through significant portions in a fluid motion. Given this (and perhaps as a slight drawback), with the lack of brevity some of the passages are given far less attention by Keener than others. I found his most intriguing portions to be at the beginning and end (fittingly following Jesus' first discourse and final discourse of what has become a 5 discourse structural theory). However, I should note that this might also be simply an affect of Matthew's own rhetorical use of repetition.
I believe I made this confession on my review of Carter's/Woodley's work, but for a long time Matthew has remained one of my least favourite of the Gospels. I often read Matthew as entirely too provocative, entrenched in a difficult Jewish tradition (while being oddly anti-semitic and Jewish centred at the same time), and filled with harsh and heavy language (especially concerning the eschatological and apocalyptic portions). Of the sources I have used thus far, Keener's work has done the most in illuminating the text in a fresh way for my own perspective. I have a new (or renewed) appreciation for Matthew's Gospel, not just as one part of a complex testimony of the ministry and work of Jesus' earthly ministry, but as a window in to the world of the early Christian followers. In context, the polemic against the Jewish leaders is far less sweeping and far more informing as a reflection of a very specific relationship between a marginalized Judeo-Christian community and a growing Pharisaic/synagogue culture (following the demise of the temple). I have also come to appreciate some of the subtle nuances Matthew brings to utilizing early sources in a way that can help shed light on the earlier oral traditions. And finally, Keener does great work in walking us through some of the more complicated (and confusing) eschatological portions in the final chapters. He reminds us of how the authorial audience would have heard and interpreted Jesus' words, and recognizes that Jesus speaks of more than one tribulation that apply to the age of the audience itself (with the end of the age being signified by the destruction of the Jewish temple and being fulfilled in the mission of the Gospel being brought to all nations).
There is a distinct separation of focus in Matthew on the present kingdom of this world and the coming kingdom. It would be difficult to miss (although it is also easy to misapply) Matthews sharp and calculated concern for a repentance that leads to a changed life. For Matthew repentance and fruit go hand in hand, and his sharpest rebukes... in fact his only rebukes are centred towards religious communities that abuse this (cost of discipleship) while holding the weight of expectation and failure over the heads of others at the same time. It is no great leap to consider that our current religious institutions can readily receive this same rebuke. Thankfully behind these words Keener also helps us see the message of mercy that frees us from such hypocrisy. It is only under Christ that we can find an identity as adopted sons/daughters, not through an impressive genealogy, impressive public displays of religious fervour, or through material reward. In Christ we find the fulfillment of the Jewish promise to make a way for God's mission and vision for the world to be heard. And in Christ we find the true image of discipleship, one that is anchored on a changed life and a clear response to letting go of our self centred motivations. This is what faith is for Matthew, believing that in Christ we can fall in our human ways and doubt, but accepting that He is always there to pick us up and to go before us even when we can't always see Him.
For my own study I have found a gradual immersion in to the text (and world) of Matthew's Gospel in the limited theological focus of Woodley's "The Gospel of Matthew: God With Us", and the interpretative and narrative concern of "Matthew: Storyteller, Interpreter, Evangelist" by Carter (which moves from theological concern towards a more expansive bird's eye view of the authorial audience and cultural background of the written material). Keener's commentary was an excellent next step in moving deeper yet towards the marriage of theological and cultural concern.
Keener rightly narrows in on the themes of two of Matthew's central concerns (Jesus' identity and the Kingdom of Heaven). These two themes weave in to a very defined picture of discipleship both for Matthew's audience and for us today (although Keener spends little time on modern application). A short intro invites us in to a very concise picture of (in his view) the most likely option for date/authoriship (he employs an early to mid 70's composition that incorporates a standard understanding of the two-source hypothesis with an openness and consideration to the evidence that an attestation of Matthew, whoever he may be, currently remains the only known authorial attribution in historical tradition).
The formula that Keener uses groups passages together as a means of moving us through significant portions in a fluid motion. Given this (and perhaps as a slight drawback), with the lack of brevity some of the passages are given far less attention by Keener than others. I found his most intriguing portions to be at the beginning and end (fittingly following Jesus' first discourse and final discourse of what has become a 5 discourse structural theory). However, I should note that this might also be simply an affect of Matthew's own rhetorical use of repetition.
I believe I made this confession on my review of Carter's/Woodley's work, but for a long time Matthew has remained one of my least favourite of the Gospels. I often read Matthew as entirely too provocative, entrenched in a difficult Jewish tradition (while being oddly anti-semitic and Jewish centred at the same time), and filled with harsh and heavy language (especially concerning the eschatological and apocalyptic portions). Of the sources I have used thus far, Keener's work has done the most in illuminating the text in a fresh way for my own perspective. I have a new (or renewed) appreciation for Matthew's Gospel, not just as one part of a complex testimony of the ministry and work of Jesus' earthly ministry, but as a window in to the world of the early Christian followers. In context, the polemic against the Jewish leaders is far less sweeping and far more informing as a reflection of a very specific relationship between a marginalized Judeo-Christian community and a growing Pharisaic/synagogue culture (following the demise of the temple). I have also come to appreciate some of the subtle nuances Matthew brings to utilizing early sources in a way that can help shed light on the earlier oral traditions. And finally, Keener does great work in walking us through some of the more complicated (and confusing) eschatological portions in the final chapters. He reminds us of how the authorial audience would have heard and interpreted Jesus' words, and recognizes that Jesus speaks of more than one tribulation that apply to the age of the audience itself (with the end of the age being signified by the destruction of the Jewish temple and being fulfilled in the mission of the Gospel being brought to all nations).
There is a distinct separation of focus in Matthew on the present kingdom of this world and the coming kingdom. It would be difficult to miss (although it is also easy to misapply) Matthews sharp and calculated concern for a repentance that leads to a changed life. For Matthew repentance and fruit go hand in hand, and his sharpest rebukes... in fact his only rebukes are centred towards religious communities that abuse this (cost of discipleship) while holding the weight of expectation and failure over the heads of others at the same time. It is no great leap to consider that our current religious institutions can readily receive this same rebuke. Thankfully behind these words Keener also helps us see the message of mercy that frees us from such hypocrisy. It is only under Christ that we can find an identity as adopted sons/daughters, not through an impressive genealogy, impressive public displays of religious fervour, or through material reward. In Christ we find the fulfillment of the Jewish promise to make a way for God's mission and vision for the world to be heard. And in Christ we find the true image of discipleship, one that is anchored on a changed life and a clear response to letting go of our self centred motivations. This is what faith is for Matthew, believing that in Christ we can fall in our human ways and doubt, but accepting that He is always there to pick us up and to go before us even when we can't always see Him.
April 29, 2019
The is/was the most immediately relevant to preaching commentary I've read. Craig Keener is a gift to the Church!
August 16, 2023
Keener provides masterful cross references and thought provoking applications of the text to social life.
December 14, 2011
Craig Keener is a brilliant man. He is also passionate about Jesus and about ministry. The professor at Asbury Seminary has written a two-volume commentary on John that has become a standard of quality biblical scholarship. Several years ago Keener also wrote a great little commentary on Matthew, which I was recently given the opportunity to review. It was recently re-released in paperback.
What is great about Matthew by Craig S. Keener is that is really sharp and on point with the academic work, and yet at the same time it is really very conversational and accessible. It is even, at some points, surprisingly humorous,such as when it warns against preacher puns with the parable of the wheat and the tares (p. 242).
Keener keeps to the basics in this commentary. He organizes his understanding of Matthew around the themes of the Kingdom of Heaven and discipleship, which are perfectly appropriate. Very few passages are written about for more than two-four pages.
The strength of this commentary is that it really says in plain language what each passage in the gospel of Matthew in its social and literary context. When you read the words that Keener has to say about each specific passage, you can clearly relate to the time it was written, and see what was happening through the gospel by the way Keener opens up his readers' mind to understanding.
The one weakness about this commentary is that it is really does not communicate much in most passages about what the specific text means in everyday life. In other words, Matthew helps its readers observe and understand the text, but the author leaves it to his readers to figure out how to apply what they have learned.
All in all, this is a good commentary. It would be especially good if someone was teaching from a curriculum about something in Matthew, and wanted to use this commentary to add in insightful background information.
(This book was reviewed after the publisher provided me with a complimentary review copy. Thanks IVP!)
What is great about Matthew by Craig S. Keener is that is really sharp and on point with the academic work, and yet at the same time it is really very conversational and accessible. It is even, at some points, surprisingly humorous,such as when it warns against preacher puns with the parable of the wheat and the tares (p. 242).
Keener keeps to the basics in this commentary. He organizes his understanding of Matthew around the themes of the Kingdom of Heaven and discipleship, which are perfectly appropriate. Very few passages are written about for more than two-four pages.
The strength of this commentary is that it really says in plain language what each passage in the gospel of Matthew in its social and literary context. When you read the words that Keener has to say about each specific passage, you can clearly relate to the time it was written, and see what was happening through the gospel by the way Keener opens up his readers' mind to understanding.
The one weakness about this commentary is that it is really does not communicate much in most passages about what the specific text means in everyday life. In other words, Matthew helps its readers observe and understand the text, but the author leaves it to his readers to figure out how to apply what they have learned.
All in all, this is a good commentary. It would be especially good if someone was teaching from a curriculum about something in Matthew, and wanted to use this commentary to add in insightful background information.
(This book was reviewed after the publisher provided me with a complimentary review copy. Thanks IVP!)
March 11, 2012
This is an excellent commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Well balanced between academic and pastoral themes. Anyone can read and gain insight from this book without being overly punished with heady themes and theological sidestepping.
May 17, 2012
A very disappointing commentary. It added little more than one would expect in a study Bible's notes.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews