Matthew (New Testament Commentary)

Description

William Hendriksen’s Gospel of Matthew (New Testament Commentary) is a comprehensive and scholarly exposition of the first Gospel, offering deep insights into its theological, historical, and literary dimensions. Below is a summary of its key features:

Overview
Hendriksen emphasizes Matthew’s Gospel as a critical text for understanding Christ’s prophetic ministry, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan. He divides the Gospel into three major sections:

Inauguration (Matthew 1:1–4:11): Covers Jesus’ genealogy, birth, and early life, highlighting His fulfillment of Messianic prophecies.

Progression (Matthew 4:12–20:34): Focuses on Jesus’ ministry, including His teachings (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount), miracles, and parables.

Climax (Matthew 21:1–28:20): Details Jesus’ final week, crucifixion, resurrection, and the Great Commission.

Key Themes
Prophetic Fulfillment: Hendriksen underscores Matthew’s use of over 40 Old Testament prophecies to present Jesus as the Messiah. He highlights Matthew’s frequent phrase “as was spoken through the prophet(s)” to connect Jesus’ life with Hebrew Scriptures.

Christ as Chief Prophet: The commentary portrays Christ as the ultimate teacher and prophet, presenting His discourses in their fullest form. These include:

The Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5–7)

Parables of the Kingdom (Chapter 13)

Prophecies about Jerusalem and the end times (Chapters 23–25).

Eschatology: Hendriksen adopts an amillennial perspective, interpreting Matthew 24 as blending near-term events (e.g., A.D. 70) with eschatological themes like Christ’s return and the renewal of creation.

Structure and Approach
Hendriksen provides a detailed introduction addressing critical issues like the Synoptic Problem and dating Matthew to A.D. 63–66. He defends the reliability of the Gospel against liberal critiques while supporting Marcan priority. His commentary is both theological and pastoral, designed for scholars and lay readers alike.

Distinctive Features
Comprehensive introductions to Matthew and the Synoptic Gospels.

Detailed analysis of Christ’s teachings, parables, and prophecies.

Emphasis on grace and God’s kingdom as central themes.

Practical applications for faith and ministry.

Hendriksen’s work is widely regarded as a definitive conservative Reformed commentary on Matthew, blending rigorous scholarship with devotional insights. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand this Gospel in depth.