The Acts of the Apostles

New Daily Study Bible

by William Barclay

In this volume, William Barclay discusses among other things the plan in Acts, Luke's skill as a historian, the accuracy of his sources, and the honesty with which he uses them. Full of unique insights and little-known information about the background of the early Church, this volume again displays Barclay's great ability for clear and perceptive expression. For almost fifty years and for millions of readers, the Daily Study Bible commentaries have been the ideal help for both devotional and serious Bible study. Now, with the release of the New Daily Study Bible, a new generation will appreciate the wisdom of William Barclay. With clarification of less familiar illustrations and inclusion of more contemporary language, the New Daily Study Bible will continue to help individuals and groups discover what the message of the New Testament really means for their lives.

Genres: Religion, Christian, Reference, Nonfiction, New Testament, Christianity, Theology

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

WIlliam Barclay was a Scottish author, radio and television presenter, Church of Scotland minister, and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow. He wrote a popular set of Bible commentaries on the New Testament that sold 1.5 million copies.

Reviews

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy-to-understand and perceptive explanation of the Bible's Acts of the Apostles with not only those bold stroke descriptions of the action, but also astute insights into the meaning, historical background, and geographical placement of the text that add so much to our understanding. Read this and you'll have a far greater appreciation of this important New Testament book.

The author is William Barclay, a minister in the Church of Scotland and a professor of divinity and biblical criticism at the University of Glasgow, who died at age 70 in 1978. This third edition has been slightly revised from the original, mostly updating the language for gender inclusion.

The Acts of the Apostles is 28 chapters in the New Testament. Barclay has divided these 28 biblical chapters into 130 (short) book chapters. Each one begins with a short quotation from Acts—anywhere from two verses to a dozen or more—followed by a succinct description of what's going on. Barclay's historical tidbits and obscure details add so much to our understanding of this ancient text. And just for fun, Barclay uses literary references—from the ancients to the moderns—to also explain the text. These includes such disparate authors as Plato, Joseph Conrad, and George Bernard Shaw, among others.

Perhaps the best part of Barclay's explanations of the text is when he delves into the mind of St. Paul to explain what he was doing and why. Of course this is educated supposition on Barclay's part, but the effect is to bring to life this most important Christian figure.

While I read this book in just a few days, it's ideal to read as a short daily devotion on your own or as part of Bible study group.

[Angus Mcfarlane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of Barclays material, in my experience, has stood the test of time, reading well after forty or so years since it was written. While written in a simple style, he takes modern biblical scholarship to a general audience. But in this case, I felt it was overly simplistic, perhaps for one of two reasons: 1. As a New Testament, historical, scholar, this was one his first commentaries; 2. The decision to make one instead of two volumes was the wrong call for a book the length of Acts. What I did enjoy was the experience of working through the chapters slower than I have previously, recognizing new points I'd either forgotten or missed in previous reads. For example, the significance of crisis point came through strongly this time - difficulties forcing a resolution that was perhaps needed but had to get a push to reach the necessary activation energy. I suspect there are better Acts commentaries around, but this served me well enough.

[Colin Weeks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a relatively shallow commentary on Acts. Barclay is very pastoral and clearly has a gift for encouraging people, but I personally did not get much out of it. There were several beautiful applications worth remembering.

The most problematic section was on Pentecost where Barclay argued that the very first instance of tongues was, in fact, ecstatic heavenly language. He says Luke was merely mistaken in thinking it was real Semitic languages. This was a wildly unfortunate eisegesis of the text. Barclay apparently knows more about what happened at Pentecost than Luke did, despite his many years of ministry alongside actual apostles.

[Aaron Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent commentary on Acts. Despite its age it is still interesting and engaging. I don't agree with a couple points he makes but overall I enjoyed it. A good one to start with before getting a more in depth commentary.

[E7boehm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much a travel log, about Peter and Paul, and probably not much compared to the Epistles. Very intresting thing is the amount of conflict that Paul and Peter face.
I seem to like Peter more than Paul.

[Dan Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic journey thru the early church and the mission of the apostles.

A fantastic journey thru the early church and the mission of the apostles. I disagree with some interpretations, but overall it is inspiring.

[C Brennan Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading I think I may be starting to get it...

[Fil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had just reread Acts and found this interesting, providing explanations and breaking down the chapters. Intend to read others in the series.

[Bud Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Barclay offers great scholarship and insight into the text of scripture. Have yet to be disappointed with his commentary and application on these passages from the Bible.

[Rob McMonigal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great critical commentary.

[Philip Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long while since we read all of Acts. No better companion for our daily devotion than this commentary of William Barclay.

[Larada Horner-Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I walked through Acts with William Barclay & what a delightful insightful experience. Paul has become my new Bible hero. And Barclay helped me fall in love with him.

[Charles Fraser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book and also listened to Michael Heiser's Naked Bible podcasts about Acts. Barclay's book deals with Acts more succinctly that Heiser, who takes the time to go into great and interesting detail about certain verses.

Unlike Heiser, Barclay does not believe in the Biblical narrative of Pentecost. In Acts, Luke says that the Holy Spirit enabled Jesus's disciples to speak in the appropriate language to the different peoples who had come from all over the world to the festival. (These people could then take the Gospel back to their own lands). Barclay suggests instead that the disciples "in an ecstacy, began to pour out a flood of unintelligable sounds in no known language".

There are times when Barclay doesn't seem to believe that God can do a lot for himself, for example, Saul/Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. I quote the ESV:

Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Barclay says: "That region had this characteristic phenomenon that when the hot air of the plain met the cold of the mountain range, violent electrical storms resulted. Just at that moment came such a lightning storm and out the the storm Christ spoke to Paul."

Why does Barclay explain the light seen by Paul as a natural phenomenon? After all, Jesus speaking to Paul is just about as supernatural as you can get. Did Jesus have to wait until the weather was right before speaking to Paul?

In a bizarre twist, Barclay says that regarding Paul's vision of a man telling him to take the Gospel to Macedonia "it may well be" that the man in the vision was Alexander the Great!

Barclay and Heiser differ on the case of the boy Eutychus in Acts 20. Heiser believes Paul brings the boy back from death, whereas Barclay believes the boy was not really dead; N.T. Wright shares Barclay's belief. Referring to Acts 20, The ESV Study Bible states that the original Greek says that the boy was dead, rather that giving the appearance of death.

Barclay's book is informative and he makes his points without verbosity, but I'm not convinced all of his points reflect what I think of as orthodox Christian beliefs. Despite my criticisms, I think Barclay's book is the work of a man of Christian love.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What Acts aims to do," says Dr. Barclay in this important volume, "is to give us a series of typical exploits and adventures of the great heroic figures of the early Church. Although the book never says so, from the earliest times Luke has been held to be its writer." About Luke himself, it is pointed out that he was a physician and the only Gentile author in the New Testament. He wrote both his gospel and Acts to an unidentified person bearing the name of Theophilus, for the principle purpose of showing how the new faith that began so humbly in Palestine had expanded. Dr. Barclay discusses the plan in Acts, Luke's skill as a historian, the accuracy of his sources, and the honesty with which he used them. ~From Book Flap

[Motherhouse]

I read through The Acts to grasp the bigger story for the first time this year and was on the edge of my seat! I was surprised to realize, after all of these times through the text, I had no idea what was going to happen to Paul at the end of the book! This is a fast action story including ridiculously major speaking engagements, turnabouts, legal issues, travel, and shipwreck. Seriously fascinating. - Liz Quist

[mevalgal]

The Story of Acts

Although I may not always agree with everything written by Barclay this book provides insights and perspectives to chew on and digest. It is an excellent read within or outside of a formal bible study.

[Cws]

226.6

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know that context is necessary for Acts. I don't know enough to decide how well this volume provides it.

[Russ Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quite good title in the series. Never disappointed with the author or series.

[John Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series of books

Barclay's Daily Study Bible has blessed me now for several years as I have used it primarily as my daily devotional.

[Mark Roossinck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief comments for passages make this an informative study for daily devotions.