Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.0/10

A substantial technical resource for Matthew 1 to 13 that strengthens faithful preaching.

Publication Date(s): 2000

Pages: 488

ISBN: 9780310521983

Faithfulness to the Text: 8.5/10

We are helped by careful exegesis that stays close to Matthew’s wording, structure, and thematic development.

Christ Centredness: 7.8/10

Because Matthew is so explicitly Christ focused, this volume often strengthens our ability to preach Christ with textual precision and canonical confidence.

Depth of Insight: 8.6/10

We benefit from detailed attention to interpretive decisions, especially in the infancy narrative and early teaching sections.

Clarity of Writing: 7.6/10

Technical but usually clear, with enough explanation to keep pastors from getting lost in detail.

Pastoral Usefulness: 8/10

Most useful when we want to preach Matthew carefully, with sound exegesis supporting confident proclamation.

Readability: 7.4/10

Not a quick read, but it is workable in weekly preparation if we use it selectively.

Summary

At a Glance

Length: 488 pages
Type: Exegetical (Technical)
Theo. Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Overall score: 8 / 10
Strength: Careful, detailed exegesis with strong attention to Matthew’s structure.
Limitation: More reference than sermon guide, so we still build homiletical shape ourselves.

We find Donald A. Hagner’s Matthew 1-13 a serious, text focused commentary that rewards careful use. It helps us attend to the flow of the passage and the author’s intent, so our exposition rests on solid ground.

Because this sits in a technical series, its chief strength is close exegesis. It is less concerned with sermon outlines, but it often provides the observations we need to preach with accuracy, proportion, and confidence.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this volume when we want a resource that slows us down and keeps us honest with the text. In familiar passages, that discipline can expose assumptions and sharpen clarity.

We also benefit when we face interpretive pressure points. A technical commentary can help us weigh options, test conclusions, and avoid avoidable errors.

For weekly preaching, this works best alongside a more pastorally direct commentary. Used together, we gain both careful exegesis and clearer routes to application and proclamation.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as a strong technical companion for serious preparation. If we use it with purpose and prayer, it can serve faithful preaching and careful teaching in the local church.

We will get the most benefit by pairing it with a more directly pastoral volume, especially when we need help moving from exegesis to sermon shape.

As a next step, we can strengthen our reading and preaching by visiting the Bible Book Overview, browsing Top Recommendations, and consulting the Reformed Commentary Index.

Where to buy

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