Anders Max - Matthew

Holman New Testament Commentary

Broadman & Holman Publishers

Nashville, Tennessee

All rights reserved

ISBN 978-0-8054-0201-8

Dewey Decimal Classification 227.87

Subject Heading: BIBLE.N.T. Matthew

Library of Congress Card Catalog Number: 98-39365

Unless otherwise stated all Scripture citation is from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All Rights Reserved. The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

Weber, Stuart.

Matthew / Stuart Weber.

p.cm.(Holman New Testament commentary)

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 0-8054-0201-2 (alk. paper)

I. Bible. N.T. MatthewCommentaries. I. Title. II.Title: Matthew II. Series

BS2775.3.L43199998-39365

226.6'07dc21CIP

7 8 9 10 11 1213 12 11 10 09

T o my teacher

Who made the Bible live for me

Who absolutely loved the Gospel of Matthew

Who lived for its King and His Kingdom

And who today is in heaven with the Author he adores

Stanley Ellisen, Th. D.

Senior Professor of Biblical Literature
Western Seminary
Portland, Oregon

No project of any magnitude is a solo venture. Certainly not the writing of a book. Most certainly, not a biblical commentary. Numerous people, across many years, are a part of this one. To name just a few:

• My grandfather, William, a simple coal miner who owned only a handful of books, most of them commentaries.
• My grandmother, Rose, whose highest praise for any preacher was he sure knows his Bible.
• My father, Byron, whose love for the Bible marked our whole family.
• My wife, Linda, who was so incredibly and sacrificially supportive of my entering and completing seminary.
• My fellow elders at Good Shepherd Church who loyally put up with my growing over the years.
• My fellow ministry staff colleagues who so skillfully tend our flock.
• And our entire flock at Good Shepherd who so faithfully allow us to practice the ministry.

One ministry staff member deserves special note in conjunction with this project Brian Smith. Our staff resident theologian and pastor of small group ministries for more than a decade now, Brian has not only overseen hundreds of Growth Groups over the years, he has also written most of the curricula. Brian has worked hard for me throughout this project. He has done much deep plowing, turning over the rich soil with his characteristic great care and insight. His attention to scholarly detail and his eye for key principles can be felt throughout this work. Thanks, Brian seems so inadequate. We at Good Shepherd are grateful you have chosen to steward your gifts in our midst!

One family member deserves very special note as well Dr. Rick Taylor. Rick is my brother-in-law. And so much more! We have worked together on writing projects before, and as always is his manner, on this project he has lifted my spirits more than I can express. Rick, you have meant the world to me. You define trustworthy. With his mature love for Christ and His Word, his great pastor's heart, and his organizational mind (not to mention his computer dexterity), Rick has picked me up, dusted me off, and set me back on track on this project more than once. Thanks, brother.

And two deeply respected mentors:

Dr. Earl D. Radmacher. As an earnest undergraduate, I heard the compelling preaching of Dr. Radmacher. Following my military service I entered Western Seminary and came under his consistent teaching. I had the privilege of serving him as assistant to the president. Now retired, he graciously consented to read through this manuscript. As usual, his coaching has been incredibly insightful and his friendship exhilarating.

Dr. W. Robert Cook. Dr. Cook brought dignity to the seminary classroom, thoughtful system to theology, and great inspiration to his students. Thank you, Dr. Cook, for reading this manuscript and encouraging me in it.

Today's church hungers for Bible teaching, and Bible teachers hunger for resources to guide them in teaching God's Word. The Holman New Testament Commentary provides the church with the food to feed the spiritually hungry in an easily digestible format. The result: new spiritual vitality that the church can readily use.

Bible teaching should result in new interest in the Scriptures, expanded Bible knowledge, discovery of specific scriptural principles, relevant applications, and exciting living. The unique format of the Holman New Testament Commentary includes sections to achieve these results for every New Testament book.

Opening quotations from some of the church's best writers lead to an introductory illustration and discussion that draw individuals and study groups into the Word of God. In a Nutshell summarizes the content and teaching of the chapter. Verse-by-verse commentary answers the church's questions rather than raising issues scholars usually admit they cannot adequately solve. Bible principles and specific contemporary applications encourage students to move from Bible to contemporary times. A specific modern illustration then ties application vividly to present life. A brief prayer aids the student to commit his or her daily life to the principles and applications found in the Bible chapter being studied. For those still hungry for more, Deeper Discoveries take the student into a more personal, deeper study of the words, phrases, and themes of God's Word. Finally, a teaching outline provides transitional statements and conclusions along with an outline to assist the teacher in group Bible studies.

It is the editors' prayer that this new resource for local church Bible teaching will enrich the ministry of group, as well as individual, Bible study, and that it will lead God's people to truly be people of the Book, living out what God calls us to be.