Heralded as "an epoch-making book" by F. F. Bruce when it first appeared, Robert H. Gundry's commentary on the Gospel of Matthew stands as a benchmark in biblical scholarship to modern methodology. No commentary in recent history has sparked such passionate discussion among evangelical scholars, and scholars of other persuasions have also paid considerable attention to this work.

In response to the plethora of evaluations afforded his text since its publication in 1982, Gundry has issues this second edition. Included are an extensive new preface taking up criticisms that reviewers and other readers lodged against the first edition, a new appendix, and 225 new endnotes that expand the commentary and provide fresh reflections on the text.

This bold, well-informed study retains the redaction-critical methodology of Gundry's original work and the host of provocative interpretations that result. Elucidated afresh are Gundry's conviction that Matthew relied on the Gospel of Mark and the document "Q" and Gundry's arguments for a combination of historical data and theological embellishments in passages such as those that present the birth of Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount, and Peter's walking on the water. The new preface offers expanded evidence that Jewish literary tradition was concerned more with theological development than with historical exactitude.

Gundry's Matthew now provides not only truly engrossing biblical scholarship but also an excellent example of constructive professional dialogue between academicians. Students, pastors, and theologians will find here a wealth of scrupulous hermeneutical research and thought-provoking answers to many open questions in textual studies.

New Testament scholar and professor David L. Turner offers a substantive yet highly accessible commentary on Matthew in this latest addition to the BECNT series. With extensive research and thoughtful chapter-by-chapter exegesis, Turner leads readers through all aspects of the Gospel of Matthew--sociological, historical, and theological--to help them better understand and explain this key New Testament book. He also includes important insights into the Jewish background of this Gospel.

As with all BECNT volumes, Matthew features the author's detailed interaction with the Greek text. This commentary admirably achieves the dual aims of the series--academic sophistication with pastoral sensitivity and accessibility--making it a useful tool for students, professors, and pastors. The user-friendly design includes shaded-text chapter introductions summarizing the key themes of each thought unit.

With its user-friendly design, this commentary by Moisés Silva provides a substantive yet accessible discussion of Philippians to help pastors, students, and teachers understand and explain this letter.

Each passage is presented in three parts: Silva's own translation of the Greek text; exegesis and exposition of each unit of thought; and additional notes on textual matters. Throughout the commentary, Silva asks what is distinctive about this letter and shows how each passage contributes to Paul's overall argument.

The second edition has been updated to interact with important recent scholarship on Philippians and to incorporate the well-regarded BECNT layout.

"". . . undertaken to provide earnest students of the New Testament with an exposition that is thorough and abreast of modern scholarship and at the same time loyal to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.""This statement reflects the underlying purpose of The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Begun in the late 1940s by an international team of New Testament scholars, the NICNT series has become recognized by pastors, students, and scholars alike as a critical yet orthodox commentary marked by solid biblical scholarship within the evangelical Protestant tradition.

While based on a thorough study of the Greek text, the commentary introductions and expositions contain a minimum of Greek references. The NICNT authors evaluate significant textual problems and take into account the most important exegetical literature. More technical aspects -- such as grammatical, textual, and historical problems -- are dealt with in footnotes, special notes, and appendixes.

Under the general editorship of three outstanding New Testament scholars -- first Ned Stonehouse (Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia), then F. F. Bruce (University of Manchester, England), and now Gordon D. Fee (Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia) -- the NICNT series has continued to develop over the years. In order to keep the commentary "new" and conversant with contemporary scholarship, the NICNT volumes have been -- and will be -- revised or replaced as necessary.

The newer NICNT volumes in particular take into account the role of recent rhetorical and sociological inquiry in elucidating the meaning of the text, and they also exhibit concern for the theology and application of the text. As the NICNT series is ever brought up to date, it will continue to find ongoing usefulness as an established guide to the New Testament text.