Description:
This academic and pastoral commentary on Matthew's Gospel offers a clear, text-driven exposition that highlights the Gospel's literary structure, theology, and deep rootedness in the Jewish world of Jesus. William Varner and David W. Hegg combine decades of scholarship, teaching, and pastoral experience to illuminate Matthew's portrait of Jesus as Israel's Messiah and the Savior of the world.
Building on a careful analysis of Matthew's three-part narrative-Preparation, Proclamation, and Passion-the authors trace the Gospel's development with attention to discourse structure, Old Testament fulfillment, and Matthean priority. The commentary bridges rigorous academic study and accessible explanation, serving both scholars and serious students of Scripture.
More than sixty full-color photographs and maps illustrate the geography of Israel and the material culture of the first century, helping readers visualize the historical and theological world in which the Messiah lived, taught, and fulfilled his divine mission.
Brief description: William Varner teaches Bible exposition and Greek exegesis at The Master's University. He has led more than fifty study trips to Israel and has written more than twenty books, some for laymen and some for scholars, including a trilogy on the Messiah and James: A Commentary on the Greek Text (Fontes, 2017).
Review Quotes:
"This book is a must read, and not just because of its outstanding color photos of the Holy Land.... If you are looking for a book that 'puts the cookies on the lower shelf' without sacrificing accuracy, you've found it! It is with great joy and enthusiasm that I endorse and recommend this book."
-David Black, Southeastern Baptist Seminary
"Rarely do you find a commentary on Matthew that strikes the balance between scholarly and popular and is informed by decades of classroom instruction as well as on-the-ground experience in Israel. I am thrilled that Matthew's Messiah is that very commentary."
-Cory M. Marsh, Southern California Seminary
"This volume provides a solid exposition of the book of Matthew, and it does so with consistent attention given to Messianic and Jewish background issues. This adds great cultural background to a helpful exposition of the text of Matthew."
-Michael A. Grisanti, The Master's Seminary