Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth

Preaching the Word

by Douglas Sean O'Donnell

Jesus is King. Standing as a central theme of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus' kingly authority has profound implications for our lives today--changing the way we view the world, interact with others, and respond to blessings and hardships.

In this reader-friendly commentary, seasoned pastor Doug O'Donnell leads us through the first book of the New Testament, highlighting key themes and offering contemporary illustrations for preaching. Drawing on years of pastoral experience, O'Donnell helps us to see how Matthew's various emphases--including Jesus' messianic titles, fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, teaching on the kingdom of heaven, and present and future role as judge--all relate to Christ's kingship over all of creation.

Full of biblical insights aimed at both pastors and laypeople, this volume ultimately highlights Matthew's call to all people to worship and obey Jesus, our humble King and gracious Savior.

Genres: Christian, New Testament, Theology

1089 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Doug O'Donnell is the Senior VP of Bible Publishing at Crossway Books. He has authored or edited over a dozen books, including commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew, the Song of Songs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and 1-3 John. He earned his PhD from the University of Aberdeen.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for sermon series on Matthew.

These were clearly sermons-turned-into-commentaries. Sometimes helpful, sometimes distracting.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed reading Douglas Sean O'Donnell's commentary on the gospel of Matthew. Yes, it is over a thousand pages. Yes, it's at least twice the length of the whole New Testament. But it's worth reading.

In eighty-nine chapters, O'Donnell covers all twenty-eight chapters of Matthew. The commentary isn't written with a verse-by-verse approach, but, a section by section approach. Each chapter is a sermon essentially that unpacks that section of Scripture.

There are eleven chapters on the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7.
A Sermon on THE Sermon, Matthew 5-7
A Broken Blessedness, Matthew 5:3-10
Unworldly for the World, Matthew 5:11-16
"I Say to You," Part 1, Matthew 5:17-48
"I Say to You," Part 2, Matthew 5:21-48
God-Rewarded Righteousness, Matthew 6:1-18
How Not to Pray, Matthew 6:5-8
How to Pray, Matthew 6:9-15
Treasure and Trust, Matthew 6:19-34
The Loving Art of Speck Removal, Matthew 7:1-12
The Narrow Gate to Life, Matthew 7:13-29
There are fourteen chapters on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ which covers Matthew 26 through 28.

Every verse gets covered some way, some how. But not every verse gets equal amount of attention.

O'Donnell begins by talking about all four gospels. He points out that, "They have the same bass line. Yet each Gospel has a distinct melody of its own." So what is Matthew's melody line?

"Jesus is King. Jesus is the King of Jews and Gentiles. Therefore, this King Jesus is to be worshipped. Like a fine symphony, Matthew’s melodic line resurfaces time and again through each chapter, oftentimes like a cello quietly playing in the background, until finally we come to the finale, where the whole orchestra, chorus, and even the audience stand up, play, and sing in one voice! This happens in the last three verses—the Great Commission. Listen for yourself. Listen for the culmination of all the subtle and strong sounds."

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

"If you understand the Great Commission in its context, you will very well understand the Gospel of Matthew."

He challenges you to take your faith seriously, to hold to the truth, to live out what you say you believe.

"Christianity is not a pick-n-save religion: you pick whatever teachings you like and you still get saved. Oh no! If that’s how you think, you have it all wrong. Just listen to Jesus if you won’t listen to me. He stated it straightforwardly: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (7:21)."

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest commentaries I have read. O’Donnell exposits the Gospel of Matthew with keen insight, Biblical fidelity, pastoral care, a sharp wit, and, ultimately, a contagious love for Christ. His commentary is buzzing with his own personality and liveliness; but more than that, it provided me with a deeper love for God’s Word. O’Donnell makes much of Christ and makes much of Scripture. And this love is grounded in what evidently was much deep study and exegesis on his behalf. The footnotes at the back of the book more than prove his hard work, and also allow the inquisitive reader the chance to peruse other contemporary and historical voices on the matters O’Donnell discusses. This pastoral (non-technical, expository) commentary has my hearty approval, and O’Donnell has my many thanks.

[Erin Seeders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this commentary thought Matthew so much- the author is skilled at walking through the Scriptures and pulling our focus to Christ. My one criticism is that the author at one point relates a specific historical theme that all of the gospels (Jesus’ suffering and rejection), but he referenced in a positive way an extra-biblical source to also confirm that same theme in the gospel of Thomas. The author grew up in Catholicism, though he is no longer affiliated with that or their beliefs, this particular example showed no discernment in reaching outside of inspired Scripture to showcase a theme that is already there. Aside from that, this author is one of the more enjoyable commentators I have read from.

[Bryn MacPhail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've preached through Matthew a few times over the last 3 decades and have consulted many different commentaries--Douglas O'Donnell's commentary on Matthew is my absolute favourite! An outstanding balance between excellent scholarship and the practical application I've come to expect from Crossway's "Preaching The Word" series.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite commentary series. It’s not your normal commentary, instead it is a collection of sermons (89 of them). But this is what I wanted. To see how the author thought through the passage. May not be what everyone wants in a commentary but it was great for me!

[Wassenario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this commentary for my personal devotions!