Matthew (Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament)

by Charles H. Talbert

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2010

Overview

In this fresh commentary, leading New Testament scholar Charles Talbert examines cultural context and theological meaning in Matthew. This commentary approaches each text in its final, canonical form, proceeding by sense units rather than word-by-word or verse-by-verse. Each sense unit is explored in three sections: introductory matters, tracing the train of thought, and key hermeneutical and theological questions. Students, pastors, and other readers will also appreciate the historical, literary, and theological insight offered in this practical commentary. This commentary, like each in the Paideia series, approaches each text in its final, canonical form, proceeding by sense units rather than word-by-word or verse-by-verse. Each sense unit is explored in three sections: (1) introductory matters, (2) tracing the train of thought, (3) key hermeneutical and theological questions.

Key Features

• Examines cultural context and theological meaning
• Discusses key hermeneutical and theological questions
• Provides notes, outlines, images, and tables

Contents

Top Highlights

“The general norm of behavior—relating to other disciples with the humility of a child—is found in 18:1–4 (cf. Mark 9:33–36; also Phil. 2:3).” (Page 217)

“Even if it were written in the context of a specific community, however, it would not likely have been designed for that locale only. The Shepherd of Hermas (Herm. Vis. 2.4.3) indicates that by the time Matthew was written, even if one copy of a Christian writing was designed for a church in a local area, other copies would be sent to sister churches abroad for their edification.” (Page 4)

“That is as it should be, given that in Matt. 5–25, as far as disciples are concerned, the evangelist is telling his story in terms of omnipotence-behind-the-scenes.” (Page 27)

“‘omnipotence behind the scenes.’ It is this type of narrative that one encounters in Matt. 5–25” (Page 14)

“Reprove yourself first; then you will be able to reprove others” (Page 93)

About the Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament Series

Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament explores how New Testament texts inform Christian readers by:

• Attending to the ancient narrative and rhetorical strategies the text employs
• Showing how the text shapes theological convictions and moral habits
• Commenting on the final, canonical form of each New Testament book
• Focusing on the cultural, literary, and theological settings of the text
• Making judicious use of maps, photos, and sidebars in a reader-friendly format

The Paideia series approaches each text in its final, canonical form, proceeding by sense units (pericopes) rather than word-by-word or verse-by-verse. Thus, each commentary follows the original train of thought as indicated by the author instead of modern artificial distinctions. Using this approach, one is able to grasp not only the exegetical-historical information of a passage, but also follow a coherent theological expression throughout.

Finally, this series is enormously helpful and practical through its usage of small visual presentations of historical, exegetical, and theological information. Highly user friendly, this is a great resource for college students, pastors, or those who want to take their Bible study to another level.

Endorsements

Most commentaries rewrite earlier commentaries. The better ones, to the contrary, often go their own way. Talbert’s work happily is of the latter type. It regularly offers fresh readings and new comparative materials, especially from Greco-Roman sources. This is not a tired rehashing but a welcome contribution.

—Dale C. Allison Jr., Errett M. Grable Professor of New Testament Exegesis and Early Christianity, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

In this stimulating reading of Matthew’s Gospel, Charles Talbert draws on his extensive learning to attend insightfully to various cultural, literary, and theological dimensions of the Gospel. Students will find his clear prose, insightful discussion, and theological reflections especially valuable. I will be adding this commentary to course bibliographies.

—Warren Carter, professor of New Testament, Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University

With an impressive command of historical, textual, literary, cultural, and theological issues, Charles Talbert has produced a commentary on Matthew that is lucid, compelling, and eminently useful for interpretation and proclamation. In a crowded field of volumes on the First Gospel, this one stands out.

—Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching, Candler School of Theology, Emory University

Product Details

• Title: Matthew
• Author: Charles H. Talbert
• Series: Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2010
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Pages: 400
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. Matthew › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781441251275, 9780801031922, 1441251278, 0801031923
• Resource ID: LLS:PAIDEIA61MT
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-05T17:08:53Z

About Charles H. Talbert

Charles H. Talbert is a distinguished professor of religion at Baylor University. He is the general editor for Reading the New Testament Commentary, and the author of several other editions in the series. He received a BD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his PhD from Vanderbilt University. He has written many articles, reviews, commentaries, and books, including Reading the Sermon on the Mount. He has the distinction of being the only person to serve as president of both the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion and the Catholic Biblical Association.