Abstract
The latest volume in the Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament series covers the Greek text of the Gospel of Matthew. In some ways this presents a different challenge to that of some of the other volumes in the series due to the relative length on the text of Matthew. This problem is overcome in a few different ways. First, this volume in the series is longer than some of the others covering shorter New Testament writings. Second, this volume exercises a degree of selectivity in discussing the most significant exegetical issues or those where readers of the Greek text of Matthew are likely to require most help. Third, Quarles gets to the point quickly. This is to be commended, and the book does not feel rushed or compressed for it.
As Quarles makes clear at the outset, this volume is not a stand-alone commentary on Matthew. It is instead a vital prolegomenon to that task: it wrestles with the grammatical and syntactical structure of the Greek text, thereby laying the foundation for responsible exegesis of the gospel. After some brief introductory comments, the analysis of each section commences. The pattern is, mutatis mutandis, standard throughout. Taking the section on the Sermon on the Mount as an example (pp. 49–77), first there are brief comments on the overall structure of the macro-unit, followed by some bibliographic references for further study. Analysis of the ‘introduction’ to the Sermon covers Matt 5:1–16, which is broken into three smaller units: a. Setting (5:1–2); b. Beatitudes (5:3–12); c. Salt and Light (5:13–16). At the end of each sub-unit there is a brief list of homiletic suggestions. The volume ends with three sections—the exegetical outline, a grammatical index, and an index of scriptural citations. Unlike Harris’ earlier volume in the series on Colossians, there is no full translation of the text, or expanded paraphrase. Given the length of the Matthean text, this is a sensible decision.
This is an excellent contribution to an important series, which admirably bridges the gap between a full-scale technical commentary and a work on Greek grammar and syntax. Quarles has provided a tool that will be widely consulted and which will enrich the reading of Matthew’s Greek text.