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For more great commentaries on the Gospels, be sure to check:
The Life & Times of Christ, Commentaries on the Whole New Testament & Whole Bible Commentaries.
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“Were I a younger man, and to begin my studies again, the four gospels would bulk more prominently in my attention than they have done.”
John ‘Rabbi’ Duncan
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Subsections
Individual commentaries on:
The Life & Times of Jesus
Bible Characters in the Gospels
Gospel Harmonies
The Synoptic Question
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Order of Contents 30+
Best 8
More 20
Early & Medieval Church 2
From the Mishna
On the Gospels Generally 4
Introduction to 3
Bibliography 1
Authenticity of 2
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The Best Commentaries on the Four Gospels
Practical and Devotional
1600’s
Hall, Joseph – Contemplations on the Historical Parts of the New Testament d. 1656
Hall (1574–1656) was an influential reformed Anglican bishop. These devotional and practical contemplations savor of deep spirituality and are very insightful. One of a kind and one of the best.
*** ‘Need I commend Bishop Hall’s Contemplations to your affectionate attention? What wit! What sound sense! What concealed learning! His style is as pithy and witty as that of Thomas Fuller, and it has a sacred unction about it to which Fuller has no pretension.’ ‘The work can be readily procured; but if its price were raised in proportion to its real value, it would become one of the most costly books extant.’ – Spurgeon
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1800’s
Bonar, Horatius – Light and Truth, or Bible Thoughts and Themes, vol. 2: The Gospels d. 1889
Bonar (1808-1889) was an influential Scot and brother to Andrew Bonar.
*** ‘…The passages selected are popularly expounded, but the thought is not deep. The volumes will be more prized by the ordinary reader than by the minister.’ – Spurgeon
Ryle, J.C. – Expository Thoughts, for Family and Private Use, Mt, Mk, Lk, vol. 1 (chs. 1-11), 2 (11-End), Jn, vol. 1 (chs. 1-6), 2 (7-12), 3 (13-End)
Ryle (1816–1900) was an evangelical Anglican who wrote many first-rate practical and devotional works. He was an Amyrauldian.
*** “We prize these volumes. They are diffuse, but not more so than family reading requires. Mr. Ryle has evidently studied all previous writers upon the Gospels, and has given forth an individual utterance of considerable value.”
“A masterly commentary. Very suggestive and offers helpful devotional thoughts on every passage.” – Cyril J. Barber
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Intermediate
1500’s
Marlorat, Augustine
Marlorat (1506-1562) was reformed. His commentaries are particularly valuable as they are compendiums of block quotes from some of the best reformed divines of his day on the passages of that particular Biblical book. See here for an excerpt from his commentary on John.
** – “Marlorate was an eminent French reformer, preacher and martyr. His commentaries contain the cream of the older writers, and are in much esteem, but are very rare. He wrote on the whole New Testament, but we have in English only the Gospels [2-3 John] and Jude [and Revelation 1 & 13].” – Spurgeon
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1800’s
Ford, James – The Gospels, Illustrated (Chiefly in the Doctrinal and Moral Sense) from Ancient and Modern Authors, vols. 1 (Mt), 2 (Mk), 3 (Lk), 4 (Jn) 1859
Ford (1797-1877) was an Anglican.
*** “Those who wish to see what the Fathers said upon the Gospels, and to read the choicest sayings of the early Anglican bishops, cannot do better than consult Ford, who has made a very rich collection. Some of the extracts do not materially illustrate the text, but they are all worth reading.”
Jacobus, Melancthon – Notes on the Gospels, Critical and Explanatory, vols. 1 (Mt-Mk), 2 (Lk), 3 (Jn) 1868-9
Jacobus was a northern, old school presbyterian minister who had graduated from old Princeton Seminary. He was also a professor at Western Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania.
*** “Jacobus is sound and plain, and is therefore a safe guide to Sunday-school teachers and others who need to see the results of learning without the display of it.” – Spurgeon
His writings are: “characterized by solid learning, sound doctrine, and lucid statements, a pleasant style, and the most serious spirit of piety.” – William S. Plumer
“The excellent Commentaries of Dr. Melancthon Jacobus have deservedly attained a high reputation, and their wide circulation proves how well they are adapted to the wants of both ministers and laymen. They present, in a brief compass, the results of extensive erudition, abound in judicious exposition and pertinent illustration, and are, moreover, distinguished by doctrinal soundness, evangelical character, and an eminently devout spirit.” – Charles Hodge, William Henry Green, J.W. Alexander
Lange’s Commentary – Commentary on Mt. (Lange), Mk. (Lange), Lk. (Oosterzee), Jn. (Lange)
Lange (1802-1884) was a conservative German professor of Theology at the University of Bonn and was a broadly Calvinist theologian, though influenced by Schleiermacher (not a good influence). The commentary he edited on the whole Bible is very valuable (pastors should buy it if found).
*** “The Gospels are among the best of the series.” – Spurgeon
Stock, Eugene – Lessons on the Life of our Lord, for the Use of Sunday School Teachers 1875
*** “For real use a thoroughly commendable book. Teachers and preachers have here more matter given them on the lesson than they are likely to use. Admirable!” – Spurgeon
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On the Words of Jesus
Brown, John, of Edinburgh – Discourses and Sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ, Illustrated in a Series of Expositions, vol. 1 (up to his last days), 2 (his last days) These volumes do not cover the whole of each Gospel, but what the title says.
Brown of Edinburgh (1784-1858) was a rightly renowned Secession minister, professor and exegete. He was the grandson of John Brown of Haddington (1722-87), also a famed Secession minister.
*** “Of the noblest order of exposition. Procure it.” – Spurgeon
The publication of Dr. Brown’s first great commentary, Expository Discourses on the First Epistle of Peter, in 1848:
“formed a marked era in the history of scriptural interpretation in this country [of Scotland]… Too many of those who hold the office of ministers of the Word attempt something in the way of applying the Scriptures, without being well qualified to ascertain and to establish their true and correct meaning, and without labouring to found the application upon its only sufficient basis, viz. a careful and accurate exposition of their actual import… This is the right and the only right mode of employing the Sacred Scriptures, and it is because we get so little of this either from the pulpit or the press, that we attach the highest value to Dr. Brown’s expository works.” – William Cunnigham
Stier, Rudolph – Words of the Lord Jesus, vol. 1 (Beginning of Ministry), 2 (Mt 10-18, etc.), 3 (Mt 19-25; Mk 1-12; Lk 4-11), 4 (Lk 11-19; Jn 3), 5 (Jn 4-10), 6 (Jn 11-17), 7 (Passion), 8 (Passion, Risen & Ascension)
Stier (1800–1862) was a German minister and academic who had a mystical strain in some of his writings.
*** “No one can be expected to receive all that Stier has to say, but he must be dull indeed who cannot learn much from him. Read with care, he is a great instructor.” – Spurgeon
“An extensive study revealing the author’s mystical leanings, thorough familiarity with ascetic literature and unique ability to present Greek concepts and word studies in a pleasing manner.” – Cyril Barber
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More Commentaries on the Four Gospels
1500’s
Bullinger, Heinrich – The Sum of the Four Evangelists, Comprehending both the Course of the History & also the Several Points of Doctrine, set forth in the same pointing forth as it were with the hand that Jesus is Christ, the Only Perfect & Sufficient Savior of all the Faithful (London, 1582)
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Practical and Devotional
1700’s
Burkitt, William – Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the Four Holy Evangelists, viz., St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, St. John, wherein the Sacred Text is at large recited… and the instructive example of the holy Jesus to our imitation recommended; designed for the instruction of private families (London, 1700)
Burkitt (1650-1703) was a reformed Anglican clergyman and Bible commentator.
Quesnell, Pasquier – The Gospels with Moral Reflections on Each Verse, vols. 1 (Mt-Lk 6), 2 (Lk 7-Jn) 1719-1725
Quesnell, a Roman Catholic, wrote a commentary on the whole New Testament, but only the Gospels are online.
** ‘A sweet and simple French writer who says many good things of a very harmless character.’ – Spurgeon
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1800’s
Adam, Thomas – Exposition of the Gospels, vols. 1, 2 1837, to be distinguished from Thomas Adams the puritan.
** “Short and sweet; but Adam is not the first man as an expositor.” – Spurgeon
Anonymous – Choice Notes, Drawn from Old and New Sources on Matthew, Mark, Luke, John 1868-9
** “These are taken from the grander treasuries of Prebendary Ford [see above]. We have mentioned them because those who could not afford to buy Ford’s books might be able to get these.” – Spurgeon
Beith, Alexander – Expository Discourses on: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John 1857
** “Discourses which must have been very profitable to the hearers. Students will do better with works which are more condensed.” – Spurgeon
Bouchier, Barton – Manna in the House: or, Daily Expositions of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John 1852
* “Mr. Bouchier writes sweetly, and his books aid the devotions of many families. Ministers may read them with profit; but they are not exactly intended for them.” – Spurgeon
Burgon, John W. – Plain Commentary on the Four Holy Gospels Intended Chiefly for Devotional Reading 1856
Burgon (1813–1888) was an Anglican remembered for his conservative stance against the textual criticism of the new Westcott-Hort Greek Text that essentially underlies most modern versions of the Bible today. He was a high-churchman after the Tractarian school.
** “Ryle says: ‘This is an excellent, suggestive and devout work; but I cannot agree with the author when he touches upon such subjects as the Church, the sacraments, and the ministry.'” – Spurgeon
Denton, W. – The Gospels for the Sundays and other Holy Days of the Christian Year, vol. 1, 2, 3 1860-3
** “Curates will find this just the thing they need for sermonizing.” – Spurgeon
Ripley, Henry – The Gospels, with Notes, vol. 1 (Mt-Mk), 2 (Lk-Jn) 1851
** “Adapted for Sunday-School use. Simple, brief, and practical.” – Spurgeon
Williams, Isaac – Devotional Commentary, vols. 1 (Gospels), 2 (Harmony), 3 (Nativity), 4 (2nd Year of Ministry), 5 (3rd Year of Ministry), 6 (Holy Week), 7 (Passion), 8 (Resurrection) 1882
** “Anglican popery for quartz, and sparkling grains of precious gospel largely interspersed as gold. We cannot imagine any spiritual man reading these works without benefit, if he knows how to discriminate.” – Spurgeon
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1900’s
De Graff, D.G. – Promise and Deliverance, vol. 3 (Mt-Lk), 4 (Jn)
De Graaf was Dutch Reformed.
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Intermediate
Forster, John – The Gospel Narrative… with a Continuous Exposition… and Notes, Briefly Collected from the Best Critics and Commentators 1845
** “Paraphrase upon a good system, carefully executed, and instructive. Thoroughly Anglican.” – Spurgeon
Hall, Charles – Notes, for the use of Bible Classes, vol. 1, 2 1857
** “This book is as full of reverence to Bishops and other Episcopal arrangements as if it had been ‘appointed to be read in the Churches.’ American Episcopalians can evidently be very thorough.” – Spurgeon
Norris, John – A Key to the Narrative of the Four Gospels 1871
Norris was an evangelical.
** “‘Canon Norris writes primarily to help ‘younger students’ in studying the Gospels, but the unpretending volume is one which all students may peruse with advantage. It is an admirable manual for those who take Bible classes through the Gospels.’ – So says the London Quarterly” – Spurgeon
Olshausen, Hermann – Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, vols., 1, 2, 3, 4
Olshausen was a somewhat conservative liberal.
** “Olshausen is mentioned by Alford as so rich in original material, that he has often cited him in his ‘New Testament for English Readers’. He is one of the most devout of the Germans, and a great scholar; but we are not enamored of him.” – Spurgeon
Riddle, J.E. – The British Commentary on the Holy Gospels compiled chiefly from the writings of eminent British divines 1843
* “Choice extracts selected by the author of the well-known Latin Dictionary. Ministers should make such collections for themselves rather than purchase them.” – Spurgeon
Townson, Thomas – Discourses on the Gospels
** “Bishop Lowth welcomed this as ‘a capital performance.’ It is only so from Lowth’s point of view.” – Spurgeon
Trapp, Joseph – Explanatory Notes upon the Four Gospels in a New Method, for the Use of All, but Especially the Unlearned English Reader 1748
* “This Trapp, grandson of the famous commentator, is the author of a wretched pamphlet upon ‘the nature, folly, sin, and danger of being righteous overmuch.’ He opposed Whitfield and Wesley with more violence than sense. His work is utterly worthless, and we only mention it to warn the reader against confounding it with the productions of the real old Trapp [who was a puritan, see under Whole Bible Commentaries].” – Spurgeon
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Advanced
Campbell, George – The Gospels Translated, with Notes, vol. 1, 2 1814
** “Clear and cold. Orme says it is ‘one of the best specimens of a translation of the Scriptures in any language.’ The preliminary dissertations are valuable; the notes are purely critical.” – Spurgeon
Elsley – Annotations on the Gospels and Acts, vols. 1, 2, 3
** “Wholly critical and philological.” – Spurgeon
Pearce, Zachary – A Commentary, with Notes, on the Four Evangelists Buy 1777
Pearce (1690-1774) was an Anglican.
* “A huge mass of learning, said by great divines to be invaluable. To most men these volumes will simply be a heap of lumber.” – Spurgeon
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The Early and Medieval Church
Titanus – The Earliest Life of Christ… being the Diatessaron of Tatian (c. 160 AD), with a historical and critical Introduction, Notes & Appendix by J. Hamlyn Hill 1894 400 pp.
Tatian (120-180 AD) was a Syrian Christian writer. This was his attempt at a harmony of the Gospels.
Ford, James – The Gospels, Illustrated (Chiefly in the Doctrinal and Moral Sense) from Ancient and Modern Authors, vols. 1 (Mt), 2 (Mk), 3 (Lk), 4 (Jn) 1856-72
*** “Those who wish to see what the Fathers said upon the Gospels, and to read the choicest sayings of the early Anglican bishops, cannot do better than consult Ford, who has made a very rich collection. Some of the extracts do not materially illustrate the text, but they are all worth reading.”
Gregorius the Syriac – On the Four Gospels in A Clear & Learned Explication of the History of our Blessed Savior Jesus Christ, Taken out of Above Thirty Greek, Syriac, and Other Oriental Authors, by Way of Catena (Dublin [1695])
Gregory Bar Hebraeus (1226–1286) was a Chief bishop of Persia of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the 13th century. He is noted for his works concerning philosophy, poetry, language, history, and theology; he has been called “one of the most learned and versatile men from the Syriac Orthodox Church.”
Aquinas, Thomas
Catena Aurea, Commentary Collected out of the Fathers, vols. 1 (Mt 1-21), 2 (Mt 22-Mk), 3 (Lk), 4 (Jn) The Latin means ‘a golden chain’. The volumes are numbered differently
** “The Fathers are over-estimated, by a sort of traditionary repute, for we question if they are much read. This collection of extracts we always look into with curiosity, and sometimes we find a pearl.” – Spurgeon
Commentary on St. Matthew’s Gospel This, and the below, is different than the Catena Aurea.
Commentary on the Gospel of St. John
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From the Mishna
Robinson, Thomas – The Evangelists & the Mishna, or Illustrations of the Four Gospels Drawn from Jewish Traditions (London: J. Nisbet, 1859) 335 pp. no ToC Mt, Mk, Lk, Jn
Robinson was a minister. He acknowledges the works of Lightfoot and Schoetgen, but “trusts that his attempts still further to illustrate the Word of God from the statements and phraseology of that ancient work…” (Preface)
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On the Gospels Generally
Beginner to Intermediate
1800’s
Jukes, Andrew – Characteristic Differences of the Gospels Considered, as Revealing Various Relations of the Lord Jesus 1853
*** “Remarks prompting thought; containing in a small compass a mass of instruction.” – Spurgeon
“An enriching and rewarding study.” – Cyril Barber
Trench, R.C. – Studies in the Gospels
*** “Masterly studies on important topics. Students will do well to read also Trench’s ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ We do not always agree with this author, but we always learn from him.” – Spurgeon
“A miscellaneous assortment of essays including the temptation of Christ, the calling of Philip and Nathaniel, the Samaritan woman, a consideration of the transfiguration, and the unfinished tower.” – Cyril Barber
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1900’s
Scroggie, William Graham – Know your Bible: A Guide to the Gospels Preview Buy 1962 680 pp.
“Worth an entire shelf of books on the same subject.” – Cyril Barber
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Advanced
Wieseler, Karl – Chronological Synopsis of the Gospels 1864
* “This important work formed the basis both of the Synopsis Evangelica of Tischendorf, and of the Historical Lecture on the Life of our Lord by Bishop Ellicott. It is much to be regretted that so many novel interpretations and baseless hypotheses should have marred the book; but, notwithstanding all drawbacks, it must be a masterly work to have received the heartiest commendations of the great scholars of the day. Only the more advanced students will care for this Synopsis.” – Spurgeon
Black, Matthew – An Aramaic Approach to the Gospels and Acts Buy Oxford 1954
Black was a liberal. While Aramaic studies may be helpful in understanding the background to the Gospel, as much of the language of Christ’s day was a form of spoken Aramaic, it ought to be remembered that the Greek of the gospel-writers in which they wrote their gospels is what is inspired and has been providentially preserved by God.
“Serves as a valuable corrective of those who see Hellenizing or Hellenistic sources behind practically everything in the early books of the NT.” – Cyril Barber
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Introduction to the Gospels
Westcott, B.F. – Introduction to the Study of the Gospels 1895
Despite Spurgeon’s commendatory words, Westcott had some liberal tendencies.
*** “Worthy of high commendation. The author knows the German writers, but is not defiled by their skepticism. He is a man of deep thought, but displays no pride of intellect. A man had need be a thorough student to value this Introduction: it is not an introduction to the Gospels, or to the reading of them, but to their study.” – Spurgeon
“Remains a most valuable treatment of the preparation of the NT world for the reception of the gospel, the Jewish expectation of a Messiah, the place of oral tradition in the transmission of the NT, the individual characteristics of the Gospels, and the analysis of the difference between the Gospel of John and the Synoptic Gospels.” – Cyril Barber
Gloag, Paton – Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels 1895 330 pp.
Gloag was Church of Scotland minister and Biblical scholar. Gloag had some liberal tendencies, though, according to the Dictionary of National Biography, his writings “give no support to the new higher criticism.”
“A most valuable treatment which has been largely ignored by contemporary writers due to the fact that it is hard to obtain.” – Cyril Barber
Godet, Frederick – Introduction to the New Testament: The Collection of the Four Gospels and the Gospel of St. Matthew 1899 310 pp.
Godet was generally a conservative scholar. It appears that he only finished his introduction to the synoptic gospels and not the rest of the New Testament.
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Bibliography
Metzger, Bruce – Index to Periodical Literature on Christ and the Gospels Buy Brill 1962
Metzger was a liberal.
“This is an indispensable aid to the study of the Gospels. It contains 10,090 numbered entries from approximately 160 journals helpfully arranged in sections. No annotations. Includes an author index.” – Cyril Barber
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The Authenticity of the Gospels
1700’s
Lardner, Nathaniel – The Credibility of the Gospel History, or the Facts Occasionally Mentioned in the New Testament Confirmed by Passages of Ancient Authors, who were with Contemporary with our Savior, or his Apostles, or lived near their Time, vol. 1 (Pt. 1, books 1-2), 2 (Pt. 2, chs. 1-43), 3 (Pt. 2, chs. 44-69), 4 (Pt. 2, chs. 70-125), 5 (Pt. 2, chs. 126-165; A History of the Apostles & Evangelists, I-XI), 6 (XII-XXV) in Works (London: Ball, 1838)
Lardner (1684-1768) was an English presbyterian minister who came to teach an essentially Socinian view of Christ.
T.H. Horne (who was orthodox) says that this work was well received by members of the Church of England, dissenters and those of foreign countries. See his entirely positive assessment of it in Manual, pp. 152-3.
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1800’s
Lange, J.P – ‘The Historic Records of the Life of Jesus’, ‘Criticism of the Testimonies to the Gospel History’ & ‘The Authenticity of the Four Gospels’ in The Life of the Lord Jesus Christ, vol. 1
Norris, John – ‘External Testimonies to their Authenticity’ & ‘Their Internal Character’ 1871 17 pp. in A Key to the Narrative of the Four Gospels
Norris was an evangelical.
** “‘Canon Norris writes primarily to help ‘younger students’ in studying the Gospels, but the unpretending volume is one which all students may peruse with advantage. It is an admirable manual for those who take Bible classes through the Gospels.’ – So says the London Quarterly” – Spurgeon
Greenleaf, Simon – The Testimony of the Evangelists Examined by the Rules of Evidence Administered in Courts of Justice… also a Review of the Trial of Jesus 1874 630 pp.
Greenleaf was a professor of law at Harvard.
Dale, Robert W. – The Living Christ and the Four Gospels 1890 320 pp.
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1900’s
Montgomery, John Warwick – History and Christianity Buy 1971
Montgomery is a noted lawyer, professor, Lutheran theologian, prolific author and Christian apologist.
“A scholarly apologetic for the historical reliability of the Gospels, particularly as these relate to the testimony concerning Jesus Christ.” – Cyril Barber
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“For the balancing of the truth, there is nothing like the Pauline letters; for vitality and freshness, there is nothing like the facts of the gospel.”
John ‘Rabbi’ Duncan
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