The Gospel of Luke

New Daily Study Bible

by William Barclay

With a historian's precision, Luke's Gospel shows painstaking care both in detail and in expression. Of equal distinction is the universal appeal of the Gospel. Barclay's insightful comments help each of us to see the infinitude of God's love through Luke's eyes. 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: Christian, Religion, Reference, New Testament, Christianity, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction

355 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1975

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

[James Hold · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first 15 years were spent in a church that placed more emphasis on the RULES of God than on the LOVE and PEACE of God. That and the MIRACLES. Always, always, it preached the miracles; to a point where Jesus became little more than a sideshow Houdini doing 2 acts a day and 3 on Sundays. It was as if to say, 'Without the miracles, Jesus is nothing.' I hit a point where I told myself 'I can't buy into this anymore' and I stopped attending. It wasn't that I rejected God; it was that I rejected the particular version of God they were selling.

This lasted nearly 20 years. There was always an emptiness that needed filling. I explored other faiths, other religions, but nothing satisfied until I happened upon William Barclay's Daily Bible Study Guide. There's stuff on Wikipedia saying Barclay didn't believe in the divinity of Christ. I can't buy into that either. No one could have written with such conviction unless he believed what he was saying. Every sentence rings true.

The Gospel of Luke is a lovely book and Barclay does an excellent job making it come to life. He places his emphasis on the LOVE exhibited by GOD and his son Jesus; and his ACCEPTANCE of all; and his MERCY. It's all there in Luke's Gospel, but up till then I never heard anybody stress it.

Better yet, Barclay acknowledges the miracles, but he doesn't go ape-shit over them. Something happened, yes, but exactly what and how are hard to say. Besides, the message isn't in the miracle itself, but what the miracle brought to light. They show Jesus as a teacher, not as a Merlin.

What I like best about Barclay's commentary is it allows for a intelligent and logical acceptance of both God and Jesus without the ritual mumbo-jumbo and hocus-pocus still prevalent in so many churches and TV evangelists. Some turn to atheism thinking this stuff doesn't stand up to modern scrutiny. But Barclay shows us there is a way to accept and believe in God on a thinking basis and to worship him as we will. He is what he says about Luke 13: 18, 19 -- 'There is room in the kingdom for a wide variety of ways of worship. One man finds touch with God in an elaborate ritual and a splendid liturgy; another finds him in the bare simplicities. There is no right or wrong here.'

This is a wonderful and rewarding book. It applies to all, whether their faith is strong or if it's wavering and filled with doubt. It helped me in finding my way back to God, a God who dwells in the heart and not necessarily in buildings of brick and stone; who can be approached thru simple statements of faith and not necessarily thru repetitions of oaths and rituals.

I recommend this, and all of Barclay's commentaries, to everyone.

[Furiosalizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Barclay's Bible commentaries are both spiritually illuminating and educational. I can't remember which volume I ran across first, but I quickly bought more; I've got most of his New Testament commentaries now. He focuses on the original meanings of the words in the languages in which they were written, covers the common translation errors, and places the words in the context in which readers of the time would have understood them. Barclay's approach has helped me see the Bible with new eyes. I'd even recommend his commentaries to non-Christians who want to gain a better understanding of how many modern Christian ideas came about -- and how some of them went wrong.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke was a physician and a Gentile, so his version of Jesus' life is much more detailed and literal than the other Gospels. Barclay's interpretation and the revised version is like having a professor sitting at my side teaching me, as opposed to preaching. As an engineer, I appreciate that.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful in-depth study of the Gospel of Luke. William Barclay was such a knowledgeable biblical scholar and wonderful at making the Bible easier to understand for the common person.

[Anneliese · Rating 5 out of 5]

simply a truly wonderful commentary! not only had historical precedent but also included hymns and poetry from other authors. really enjoyed this it helped grow my faith in a really powerful way

[H.L. Gibson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll start my review by saying there are a few grains of worthwhile insight in Barclay’s commentary on Luke’s gospel. I didn’t find them until about the middle of the book. This commentary would probably be useful for someone who was new to faith in Messiah; however, I would be concerned about some of what is presented. One doesn’t have to read very far into a religious work to realize the author is influenced to some degree by religion that has probably been handed down and is replete with inaccuracies and traditions that are the result of bad theology and man-made doctrine. And very few people stop to ask why they do and/or believe what they do and/or believe. Barclay is one such person/author. I have no doubt he came to faith, but a closer reading of the entire Scriptures would, one would hope, have enlightened/educated him to truths of which he wasn’t aware or, Heaven forbid, chose to ignore. I actually took notes on everything I found wrong with Barclay’s commentary, including an overwhelming lack of knowledge regarding the Tanakh, Jewish history and culture, etc., but rather than go into detail bashing this particular work, I’ll leave it to the reader to seek the truths for himself/herself because ultimately that is what is required in the walk of faith.

[Keith Feisel · Rating 3 out of 5]

the books in this series, Daily Study Bible, offer a good easy to read volume to accompany the Scriptures in your morning devotions. I enjoyed going through this book between Christmas and Easter on year.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just LOVE this series of commentaries. It is taking me a really long time to finish this because I am savoring every bit.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very studious and often luminous commentary on the Gospel of Luke. I was impressed by the author's command of biblical geography and history and even more impressed with how little he let it interfere with the unpretentiously offered insights into our Lord's motivations in his ministry. As you look down on Nazareth, we are treated to a quick biblical history of the city to make us understand that no, He did not grow up in a backwater but in a polis. Through Barclay's knowledge of greek, we are able to see the eye of Luke, the physician seeing the miracles through clinical eyes using greek medical terms. Beyond the details, it takes a contemplative biblical scholar to see all the various ways in which our Lord was quoting the Old Testament wether in word or deed and the citations are endless. He posits the the Son of Man did not know his true nature until baptism, which I'm not sure is DeFide, but it is well argued. The ruminative way in which he explains our Lord's fulfillment of tradition is very comforting as is his assurance that The Word was the law. My only complaint is the lack of mystery and solesmes, the miracles are explained away and the cleansing of the Temple becomes mere social justice. I plan to read more Barclay but I will find my wonder in Fra Angelico.

[Don Harton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Second Edition published by The Westminster Press in Philadelphia in 1956. The format and size are delightful. Barclay’s insights given to each passage are always thought-provoking - and just the right length for a devotional. The illustrative references to poems and people are often given without attribution, with the assumption that the reader should know! I suppose these are known to English men and women in the first half of the 20th Century and I get a little snowy English countryside thrill as I read.

Wish I had all the volumes of Barclay’s Daily Study Bible.

[Dottie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Returned to this a few days ago well into it and finished it up fairly quickly as I was far into it when I last put it down. Planning to pick up the next one of the series on the shelf which I have not yet read. Hoping to polish off the remainder of the volumes which are still unread as part of this year's goals here.

[Delvina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite book in the Bible and William Barclay's commentary brings so much of it to life. Such beautifully worded devotionals that are encouraging, with practical applications and always pointing to Jesus. I will no doubt purchase his other books. Blessings from NZ

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continues

My reading of the William Barkley series on the books of the bible continues. There is so much learning in breaking down the Gospels and Barclay does it beautifully. I will continue this series with The Gospel of John.

[C Brennan Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changes the way you think especially in regards to the Bible and its significance to meaning

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

Barclay does a great job of commenting on passages with personal anecdotal pieces that touch my heart. I love the gospel of Luke.

[Gannon Foxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deepened my love and understanding for the Gospel of Luke. Would recommend.

[Kara Quiriconi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bruh

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this commentary as a study guide in conjunction with the book of Luke over the last few months of 2018. Barclay exegetes well-known passages of scripture by highlighting meanings of the original language, as well as historical and cultural contexts of events, persons and politics. He does more than that however. He brings scripture to life as he demonstrates it’s applicability and more importantly, the necessity of the principles and values in living life meaningfully.

[Paul Metcalfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old fashioned but interesting

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

William Barclay (The Gospel of Luke) at his inspirational and devotional best.

There was a Knight of Bethlehem,
Whose wealth was tears and sorrows,
His men-at-arms were little lambs,
His trumpeters were sparrows.
His castle was a wooden cross
On which He hung so high;
His helmet was a crown of thorns,
Whose crest did touch the sky. –

- - - -

Lord of all pots and pans and things,
Since I’ve no time to be
A saint by doing lovely things,
Or watching late with Thee,
Or dreaming in the dawnlight,
Or storming heaven’s gates,
Make me a saint by getting meals
And washing up the plates. – William Barclay, The Gospel of Luke.

[Johan Setiawan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Akhirnya saya bisa selesaikan buku ini setelah beberapa waktu lamanya, karena saya menjadikannya sebagai bahan saat teduh hari demi hari.Satu judul satu hari. Saya sangat terbantu melalui karya Barclay ini, setidaknya saya memiliki worldview bagaimana konteks dunia zaman Yesus hidup, sehingga bisa mengerti dengan benar setiap peristiwa yang terjadi, lalu dapat menafsirkan dengan benar pula. Buku ini hanya membantu memberikan gambaran suasana dan latar belakang dan sistem kehidupan sehari-hari pada zaman Yesus hidup.

[Apryl Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barclay's commentaries are truly amazing--especially considering that he managed to compile all of this information without a computerized filing system. Some of his 'modern-day' analogies are no longer modern and a bit cutesy/quirky, but all's forgiven considering the timeless relevance of the Word.

[Russ Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in conjunction with Michael Card's Luke: The Gospel of Amazement. I'll repeat this pattern for the other gospels. (They've been great bite-size chunks to read during my commute.)

Not Barclay's best work, but he does a great job with the background and vocabulary.

[mevalgal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barclay is great!

The interpretation Barclay presents makes one ponder, reflect and think through the gospels with a new perspective. Barclay has re-stimulated my brain helping the scriptures come alive once again.

[John Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

Bradley's commentaries have served as a devotional for me for several years. I find them not just insightful from an intellectual perspective but also uplifting from a spiritual perspective.

[Cws]

226.4

[Bridgeportcat]

The Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Luke by William Barclay (1956)

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear exposition of the book of Luke.