Summary

When we open a technical commentary on Matthew, we are usually looking for two things at once. We want help with the details, wording, structure, background, and interpretive decisions. We also want a companion that keeps the argument of the Gospel in view, so that our preaching does not become a string of isolated notes. David L. Turner offers that combination with a steady hand. This is a large, careful volume that aims to guide the reader through Matthew as a coherent, purposeful narrative that announces and explains the kingdom of heaven in the ministry of Jesus.

Turner writes with an eye for how Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfilment of Scripture and the true King, while also showing how discipleship is shaped by the King’s authority, compassion, and demands. We are helped to read the Gospel as more than a collection of sayings. Matthew is doing sustained theological work, and Turner repeatedly pushes us to notice how the evangelist has arranged his material, why he highlights certain fulfilment themes, and how the climactic movement toward the cross and resurrection gathers up the whole book.

Because this is a technical commentary, it serves those who are prepared to slow down and attend to the text. It is particularly useful when a passage is complex, when Greek details or syntactical questions matter, or when we need to weigh interpretive options. Yet it is not written as a detached academic exercise. Turner is consistently interested in what Matthew is saying and how Matthew says it, which is exactly the kind of work that strengthens our confidence to speak the text with clarity and conviction.

Strengths

One major strength is the way Turner keeps Matthew’s flow and structure in front of us. He pays attention to transitional markers, recurring themes, and the shaping of major discourse blocks, which helps us preach in larger units without losing our grip on the detail. Many of us have felt the pressure to cut passages into small pieces because we fear we will miss something. This commentary helps us see that Matthew’s arrangement is part of his meaning, so that faithful preaching is not merely about explaining verses, but about tracing the author’s purpose.

Another strength is the balance between close reading and theological payoff. Turner is alert to Old Testament echoes and explicit fulfilment quotations, and he treats them as more than a box to tick. He shows how Matthew uses Scripture to explain who Jesus is and what the kingdom means. That is especially helpful for preaching, because it gives us pathways for showing congregations how the Bible hangs together without forcing connections that are not there.

A further strength is the pastoral usefulness that arises from disciplined exegesis. Turner does not turn every paragraph into a sermon illustration, but he does repeatedly draw out implications for discipleship, the church, and the nature of true righteousness. Matthew speaks sharply about hypocrisy, self righteousness, anxiety, and the misuse of religious status. Turner’s careful handling helps us apply these themes with precision. Instead of vague moral exhortation, we are equipped to speak with the weight and shape of the text.

Limitations

The limitations are largely the ones that come with the genre. A technical commentary demands time. Some sections can feel dense, and if we are looking for a quick outline we may need to do more work to distil the material into a preaching plan. There are also moments where the range of interpretive discussion can slow momentum for a reader who simply wants a clear judgement call. Yet for those who are willing to engage, that discussion is often exactly what helps us avoid shallow certainty or careless handling.

We should also be realistic about fit. This is not primarily written for brand new Bible readers. If we are training new leaders, we may need to pair it with a clearer mid level commentary so that they are not discouraged by the technical nature of the discussion. In that sense, this volume is best treated as a study desk companion rather than a first step.

How We Would Use It

For sermon preparation, we would use Turner after our own repeated reading, outlining, and tracing of the passage in context. Then we would consult this volume to test our sense of the argument, to confirm key interpretive decisions, and to identify places where Matthew’s wording carries special weight. It is especially strong when we are preaching the discourse sections, where structure and emphasis matter for faithful exposition.

For teaching pastors in training, this volume can model good habits. It shows how to reason from the text, how to weigh options, and how to keep the Gospel’s message in view. Used wisely, it can sharpen a preacher’s instincts and deepen a congregation’s confidence that Scripture repays close attention.

Closing Recommendation

This is a substantial, careful, and well organised technical guide to Matthew. If we are preaching Matthew in any sustained way, or if we want a serious desk commentary that helps us handle the Gospel with accuracy and theological depth, Turner’s work is a strong choice that will serve long term ministry well.