THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
A SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
Introductions
There are several introductions available from an evangelical perspective. One very good
Introduction is by D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo.
Carson, D. A. and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament.
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.
DeSilva, David A. An Introduction to the New Testament: Context, Methods &
Ministry Formation. Downers Grove, ILL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
(Generally takes a conservative view, but attempts fair treatment of all
perspectives and interacts well with each.)
Commentaries
There is a wealth of commentary for the Gospel of Matthew. They continue to be
produced. I find the following helpful. However, some may no longer be in print.
Morris, Leon, Gen. Ed. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. “Matthew”
by R. T. France. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company, 1985, reprint edition 1994. (France is a competent commentator
on the conservative end. He interacts well not only with the text, but the
Introduction is very well done.)
Gill, John. This set is on the entire Bible. I bought it on recommendation from
my professor. Gill was a strong Calvinistic Puritan/Baptist. Some say he
was a hyper-Calvinist. This set can be acquired from Reformation
Heritage Books for $300. A friend of mine found mine used for $100.
It’s published by Baptist Standard Bearer.
Gundry, Robert. H. Matthew: A Commentary on His Literary and Theological
Art. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982,
reprint edition, 1983. (This commentary is valuable in that the author
interacts with the literary aspects of the Gospel. He also appears to hold to
literary dependence upon Mark. The author does refer to Greek
terminology, but not over much.)
Hubbard, David A. and Glenn W. Barker, Gen. Eds. Word Biblical Commentary.
“Matthew” by Donald A. Hagner, 2 Volumes. Dallas, TX: Word Books
Publisher, 1993. (The series is mixed, generally conservative, but tends
toward an evangelical critical position. The benefit of the commentary is
that it may be used by both those who know Greek and those who do not.
The various commentators generally interact with prevailing views. The
volumes are expensive, between $27 and $30 each.)
Hendrikson, William. New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Book House, 1973. (This set is conservative and Reformed. Mr.
Hendriksen did not comment on all the NT books. After his death, Simon
Kistemaker completed the set. This is a good resource froth with good
application.)
Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible. Iowa
Falls, Iowa: World Bible Publishers, no date. (This set is an all time
classic. Matthew Henry didn’t complete the whole set, so the quality
varies as you move into the New Testament. However, it is still worth the
read. It is categorized as “devotional.” Then again, we need some
devotion in the midst of all our studies. Especially since, communion with
God should always be our object.)
Clements, Ronald and Matthew Black, Gen. Eds. New Century Bible
Commentary. “The Gospel of Matthew”, by David Hill. Grand Rapids,
MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publications, 1972, soft back edition 1981. (I
mention this only if you are interested in seeing how critical scholars deal
with the text. I surely wouldn’t want to put it on my most wanted
commentary list!)
Luz, Ulrich. Matthew 1 – 7: A Continental Commentary. Translated by Wilhelm
C. Linss. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press. (This commentary is Liberal
to the core. However, if you are interested in reading how the text is
handled and how Source Criticism replaces the Word of God with the
Word of the Church, then by all means read it. Try to find it in a library;
it’s too expensive and worth little)
M`Neile, Alan Hugh. The Gospel According to St. Matthew: The Greek Text
with Introduction, Notes, and Indices. London, England: Macmillan & Co
Ltd., 1955. (Greek based commentary)
Morris, Leon. The Gospel according to Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: William B.
Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1992. (Good commentary by a
conservative scholar. He doesn’t interact with the various criticisms.
Plummer, Alfred. An Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to St.
Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, paper back edition, 1982. (the
first edition was a T&T Clark publication in 1909. I doubt that this is still in
print. Though tending to conservative conclusions, the author holds to a three
source theory for Matthew’s Gospel: Mark and Proto-Matthew, which he appears
to identify with “Q.”)
Literary Approaches
Kingsbury, Jack Dean. Matthew: Structure, Christology, Kingdom. Minneapolis,
MN: Fortress Press, 1975, paper back edition 1989. (This book may not be
in print. Its title states it all. Like everything you read, read critically.)
_________. Matthew as Story. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1986, second
edition 1988. This is a good example of Literary Criticism. The author is
not concerned about sources, etc. He wants to understand Matthew in its
current form. Read critically.)