Sermon on the Mount (21) (The Story of God Bible Commentary) Hardcover – October 30, 2013

Up front, I want to say that this is one of the best Bible commentaries that I've read. Clear and concise, where Scot McKnight remains focused throughout the book on the passage at hand (he does tend to wander at time in his other books). I especially like the format of "The Story of God" commentaries: Listen to the Story, Explain the Story and Live the Story are effective ways to draw the reader into the drama of the Sermon on the Mount, and make them ponder and pray on what they're reading. I didn't agree with everything that McKnight wrote for the "Live the Story" sections, but I did find them helpful and challenging in my own response to the Word of God.I liked this book so much, that I'm beginning to read other books in "The Story of God" series (currently on the gospel of Mark), and they are all as well written as this one. Highly recommended for someone who is overwhelmed at purely academic studies, this one will help you grow in your faith life. If you want to learn and pray over The Sermon on the Mount, this is as good a place as any to wade in the glories of scripture.

I often read academic and popular works on the SOTM. This commentary by Scot McNight falls in between. Well informed. Accessible. Homiletically helpful.

An excellent commentary by NT scholar Scot McKnight. It’s clear he’s clearly done the work of working through what the gospel is: the kingdom of God, and not a method or plan of salvation, as many of us evangelicals grew up on. He’s consistent with his book The King Jesus Gospel, and for studying Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, it’s a great guide. But don’t expect to get technical analysis with heavy duty Greek work. He mentions the nuances when they are vital to the gaining the bigger picture of Christ’s proclamation of Kingdom values. Being part of the The Story of God Commentary series, McKnight is clearly determined to bring the focus on the BIG view and make it accessible to the serious Bible student without the passage being overwhelming. He doesn’t soft-pedal Jesus’ words but is clear he takes Jesus seriously ini what it means for his disciples to live in God’s kingdom.

I needed this book for a class I was teaching. The author wrote in a clear and teaching way. Glad about that and glad to add this to my personal Bible Reference Library. I would purchase other books by this author.

Scot McKnight is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. Previously, he taught at North Park University. He is no stranger to commentaries, having previously written on Galatians, 1 Peter, and James.Here, he offering readers the inaugural volume in Zondervan’s new The Story of God Bible Commentaries. He serves as one of the general editors alongside Tremper Longman III. The purpose of this commentary series is to address this particular generation with the Word of God. Based on the NIV 2011, this series is asking authors to “explain what the Bible says to the sorts of readers who pick up commentaries so they can understand not only what Scripture says but what it means for today” (xii-xiii).The name of the series comes from the fact that the editors want authors to “explain each passage of the Bible in light of the Bible’s grand Story.” This of course “connects this series to the classic expression regula fidei, the ‘rule of faith,’ which was the Bible’s story coming to fulfillment in Jesus as the Messiah, Lord, and Savior of all” (xiii).To accomplish this, each passage is examined from three angles:Listen to The Story (cites the text and lists a selection of important biblical and sometimes noncanonical parallels)Explain The Story (the actual commentary proper, limited footnotes, but covering backgrounds, historical context, cultural codes, and theological interpretations)Live The Story (directions for how the text might be lived out today, not necessarily applications though)As you can see, this is similar to the three fold approach of the NIV Application Commentary, but ever so slightly different. I’d say the main difference is that overall the volume more compact and to the point. I haven’t seen the Philippians volume that was also released at the same time, but I’d imagine it’s a bit slimmer than the corresponding NIVAC volume (there isn’t a corresponding one for the Sermon on The Mount).As for McKnight’s volume specifically, I’ve found it helpful so far. I’m reading it alongside John Stott’s in The Bible Speaks Today and Kent Hughes’ in Preaching The Word. Of the three, McKnight’s and Stott’s most like a typical commentary, while Hughes’ is a series of sermons. McKnight and Stott are fairly closely aligned in their overall aims, so if you are familiar with Stott’s volume, you have an idea about what McKnight’s is like (though also insert your knowledge of McKnight’s differing theological emphases to complete the picture).McKnight opens with an introduction to ethics, which then situates the Sermon on The Mount into that discussion. He closes with a list of key resources before launching into the commentary proper. He breaks the text of Matthew 5-7 into manageable portions (chapters range from 10-30 pages). He follows the outline mentioned above, and as promised, footnotes are kept to a minimum and discussion stays on the kind of track the average reader will stick with.Though more could be said, from what I’ve read so far, and from what I know of McKnight, I can say this volume definitely belongs on your shelf if you’re planning to work through the Sermon on The Mount anytime soon. Obviously this isn’t the last word on the Sermon, but McKnight makes for a great conversation partner, and this particular commentary series looks very promising. I’m looking forward to seeing future volumes, especially the ones coming for the Old Testament (and if you remember yesterday’s review, Andrew Shead is the author of the Jeremiah/Lamentations volume). For now though I’ll keep reading through McKnight’s volume and getting a better grasp on the Sermon on The Mount. If that’s what you’re interested in, you would do well to give this series, and McKnight’s volume in particular, a shot.[I was given a review copy of this book by the publisher]

Readable, Fair, Engaging, Christ-Centered...Scot McKnight has written one of the most compelling and accessible commentaries on Jesus' most influential words, the Sermon on the Mount. I'm now working on my second sermon series on the SOM in three years and find this book helpful in making sense of Jesus in his context.McKnight simultaneity out engages the best of biblical scholarship while also tapping into the hands themes and movements of the entire Bible. He clearly identifies his own conclusions while fairly afraid those with whom he disagrees.Those looking for a commentary to reinforce their own opinions or rehash Reformation era tropes should look elsewhere,or read this and allow themselves to be challenged.

I am preaching through Matthew 5-7 and this commentary is forming the bedrock of my sources. So far, it has been so helpful and so enlightening that I want to already say that if you're looking for a commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, look no further - this is the one. There are so many out there, but this one stands distinct because it emphasises the place of this sermon in the grand narrative arc of Scripture. I think it is truly is an indispensable treasure for your library.