(See larger photo)

Product Description

Black’s New Testament Commentary series presents a reliable and enlightening exposition of the New Testament for the modern reader. Basing their remarks on their own unique translations, authors introduce the historical, literary, and theological backgrounds to their assignments, and then lead the reader on a pericope-by-pericope exposition of the book. Each volume in the series includes the following: an insightful introduction to the important historical, literary, and theological issues; key terms and phrases from the translation highlighted in the commentary discussion; explanations of special Greek or foreign terms; references to important primary and secondary literature; and a Scripture index.

“In the solid tradition of what we have come to expect from a Black commentary, Lincoln has distilled and made thoroughly accessible a wealth of contemporary scholarship.

Lincoln’s introduction is a series of crystal clear essays giving balanced approaches to key Johannine issues. For example, he gives a lucid analysis of the place of Jesus in the narrative of this ancient biography; he brings common sense and clarity to the issue of authorship and the identify of the Beloved disciple; there is a penetrating analysis of the Christology of the Fourth Gospel that touches on much that is theologically significant in the gospel. Also, Lincoln deals forthrightly and sensitively with the Gospel’s frequent apparent hostility to the Jews. Readers along the whole theological spectrum will benefit from the masterly and realistic discussion of historicity and truth.

Relying on his own translation which is refreshing, often to the point of startling, the commentary focuses on the theological dimension of the final author’s message to the particular first-century CE readers. However, never far from view are the historical and social factors that are important in any adequate explanation of this text. Also, the commentary bears the fruit of having been written over a time in which Lincoln came to be persuaded that John knew the synoptics.

There may be many commentaries on the Fourth Gospel on the shelves of scholars but this one will quickly earn a place open on the desk of both scholars and preachers.”
—Graham H. Twelftree, Regent University

Reviews

“This quality addition to the well-respected Black’s New Testament Commentary serves replaces the earlier work (1968) of Sanders and Mastin. Lincoln provides his own fresh translation of the gospel text, preferring to make it more literal in nature for purposes of study. His substantial introduction provides the reader an informative overview of current interpretation. One significant feature of Lincoln’s own perspective is that he joins those scholars who believe that John knew the Synoptic Gospels and that his own gospel represents a unique and creative interpretation of the Synoptic tradition. The commentary itself is incisive and provides the reader with a reliable literary and theological interpretation of the Fourth Gospel.”
—The Bible Today

"This new commentary on the Fourth Gospel provides both a worthy addition to the respected Black’s New Testament Commentary series and a serious replacement for its widely cited predecessor in that series, by J. N. Sanders and B. A Mastin, still useful but dated (1968). In this work, Lincoln both draws on a wide range of Johannine scholarship and bravely forges new paths at times, respecting consensus but seeking to break new ground. After an extensive introduction of the major issues debated in Johannine studies today, Lincoln’s work turns to commentary on passages followed by theological summary. The work is extremely well-written and readable. No reader of commentaries, even at a lay level, will have trouble understanding the prose. Most of his exegetical and literary judgments are sound and well-researched. . . . All told, this work is a significant one. Although its format is aimed more for students than for scholars, the distinctive elements in its approach and the arguments advanced for them will also make this commentary important for scholarly consideration. ”
—Review of Biblical Literature

“Andrew Lincoln, Portland Professor of New Testament at the University of Gloucestershire, England, offers a paragraph-by-paragraph exposition based on his own fresh translation of the biblical texts. His book includes introductions to the important historical, literary, and theological issues; key terms and phrases from the translation highlighted in the commentary; explanations of special Greek or foreign terms; references to important primary and secondary literature; and a scripture index. He makes available a wealth of contemporary scholarship, carefully discussing authorship; the identity of the beloved disciple; the christology of the Fourth Gospel; the Gospel's apparent hostility to the Jews; historicity and truth; and John's relation to the synoptics. Throughout the commentary he inserts suggestions for further reading.”
—Theology Digest

Andrew T. Lincoln is the Portland Professor of New Testament at the University of Gloucestershire. His previous publications include Truth on Trial(Hendrickson, 2000) and the commentary for Colossians in Volume 11 of the New Interpreter’s Bible (Abingdon, 2000).

Explore This Book

The above links require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have the reader, click on the 'Get Acrobat Reader' button to obtain it.