France - Matthew: an introduction and commentary

The original Tyndale Commentaries aimed at providing help for the general reader of the Bible. They concentrated on the meaning of the text without going into scholarly technicalities. They sought to avoid the extremes of being unduly technical or unhelpfully brief. Most who have used the books agree that there has been a fair measure of success in reaching that aim.

Times, however, change. A series that has served so well for so long is perhaps not quite as relevant as it was when it was first launched. New knowledge has come to light. The discussion of critical questions has moved on. Bible-reading habits have changed. When the original series was commenced it could be presumed that most readers used the Authorized Version and comments were made accordingly, but this situation no longer obtains.

The decision to revise and update the whole series was not reached lightly, but in the end it was thought that this is what is required in the present situation. There are new needs, and they will be better served by new books or by a thorough updating of the old books. The aims of the original series remain. The new commentaries are neither minuscule nor unduly long. They are exegetical rather than homiletic. They do not discuss all the critical questions, but none is written without an awareness of the problems that engage the attention of New Testament scholars. Where it is felt that formal consideration should be given to such questions, they are discussed in the Introduction and sometimes in Additional notes.

But the main thrust of these commentaries in not critical. These books are written to help the non-technical reader understand his Bible better. They do not presume a knowledge of Greek, and all Greek words discussed are transliterated; but the authors have the Greek text before them and their comments are made on the basis of the originals. The authors are free to choose their own modern translation, but are asked to bear in mind the variety of translations in current use.

The new series of Tyndale Commentaries goes forth, as the former series did, in the hope that God will graciously use these books to help the general reader to understand as fully and clearly as possible the meaning of the New Testament.

Leon Morris

I would like to offer my thanks:

To my students and other friends, who for many years have badgered me to know when the commentary would be finished. I hope they will not be disappointed.

To the authorities of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, of Tyndale House, Cambridge, and of the London Bible College, in whose employment, successively, I have found the opportunity and the encouragement to complete what at times has seemed an endless task.

To Ann Bradshaw, Brenda Fireman and Mary Griffin, who turned my much-corrected manuscript into type.

Above all to Matthew, whom I have come to appreciate over the last ten years as both a skilful literary artist and also a disciple of rich theological insight. If those who use this commentary can share a little of the satisfying biblical perspective which he has given me, I shall be content.

Dick France