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Jonah: His Character & Mission to Nineveh
This classic commentary on the Book of Jonah by Hugh Martin (1822-1885) deserves to be widely read. Though long, it is full of warmth, practical application and evangelical reasoning. A great deal of attention is given to the opening verses and Martin’s sympathetic handling of Jonah enables him to draw many lessons for ordinary Christians. Here is material to provoke love for the lost, explain God’s dealings with His wayward servants, demonstrate the way back to the path of usefulness, and expose the frailties of even the most used servants of God.
By making extensive use of the New Testament references to the book, he leads us to the ‘greater than Jonas’ and all readers will be moved by these sections of the book. Preachers, especially will find a wealth of material for use in preparing messages.
Originally published in Martin’s retirement in 1866, this edition has been completely re-typeset for issue as an eBook.
By making extensive use of the New Testament references to the book, he leads us to the ‘greater than Jonas’ and all readers will be moved by these sections of the book. Preachers, especially will find a wealth of material for use in preparing messages.
Originally published in Martin’s retirement in 1866, this edition has been completely re-typeset for issue as an eBook.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 2, 2021
It's been said that books don't change you, sentences do. In this case, it was a chapter. Martin has a chapter titled 'Jonah in the Ship: Achan in the Camp' that was so striking, so stunning, so spectacular that it took a few days before I could continue reading on in the book. If you haven't read Hugh Martin, this collection of sermons on Jonah is a great place to begin. What a thrill.
August 7, 2018
Hugh Martin's commentary on Jonah is a devotional commentary that not only meditates deeply on Jonah the prophet, but also on how Jonah is a type, parallel, and sign pointing to Christ. While there are a few chapters that are tangential to these two poles of Martin's focus, the work as a whole is deeply enlightening, thought provoking, and spiritually meditative. Martin sees God's mercy, redemption, justice, and salvation in Jonah as not only a sign to the ancient Ninevites, but also a clear and unmistakable sign to the awesome atonement of Christ on the Cross--a connection that Jesus himself makes reference to throughout the Gospels.
This commentary is a beautiful meditation on God's redemptive work through the Old Testament and how this redemptive work is fulfilled in the New Testament, and it is well worth reading. Martin's theology is beautifully thought provoking, but it is not a "dead" and "cold" theology. As in his other works, the passion of Martin comes through in almost every chapter where his meditation on these great truths overflows in worshipful awe and praise. I only wish that Martin had written more of these devotional commentaries!
I strongly recommend this commentary to one and all!
This commentary is a beautiful meditation on God's redemptive work through the Old Testament and how this redemptive work is fulfilled in the New Testament, and it is well worth reading. Martin's theology is beautifully thought provoking, but it is not a "dead" and "cold" theology. As in his other works, the passion of Martin comes through in almost every chapter where his meditation on these great truths overflows in worshipful awe and praise. I only wish that Martin had written more of these devotional commentaries!
I strongly recommend this commentary to one and all!
July 7, 2021
Utterly excellent, exposing with exquisite insight the heart of Jonah in sometimes surprising ways. Particularly helpful for devotional, Christ-exalting aspects of teaching/preaching Jonah
September 25, 2021
“A Commentary on Jonah” (title page); “The Prophet Jonah” (cover).
This meditative look at Jonah and his mission to Ninevah is one of the best devotional commentaries I’ve ever read. This is what the P&R “The Gospel According to the Old Testament” series ought to be like. While some are decent, a few are good, none even comes close to High Martin’s “A Commentary on Jonah.”
A unique feature of this work: Martin is hesitant to ascribe unkind motivations to Jonah and constantly looks to view his choices in the best possible and most generous light. In this way, it is a harsh rebuke to my tendency to read Jonah, but other ministers as well, with the most critical eye. He does not, in the final analysis let Jonah off the hook, but Martin is always painting Jonah with the best possible intentions. We see Jonah as a sympathetic person and not someone dismissed for racism or stubbornness.
Five chapters I’ve marked for special review when I’ve had time for the material to soak in. Martin challenged my views of God’s sovereign Providence in casting lots, how Jonah is a type of Christ, the nature of Ninevah’s repentance, and the role of magistrates in civil religion. These areas I will need to do further reading, study and prayer because Martin has challenged my assumptions.
One last thought: Martin’s issues in 1870 are not my issues now. His criticism hits different because he’s not a 21 century American. The value of older commentary is that I see Scripture through a new lens. Also, he’s not a part of the Big Eva approved list who will get a speaking tour and endorsements from conference speakers, which lead to further book deals (I’m looking at you, Gospel Coalition).
This meditative look at Jonah and his mission to Ninevah is one of the best devotional commentaries I’ve ever read. This is what the P&R “The Gospel According to the Old Testament” series ought to be like. While some are decent, a few are good, none even comes close to High Martin’s “A Commentary on Jonah.”
A unique feature of this work: Martin is hesitant to ascribe unkind motivations to Jonah and constantly looks to view his choices in the best possible and most generous light. In this way, it is a harsh rebuke to my tendency to read Jonah, but other ministers as well, with the most critical eye. He does not, in the final analysis let Jonah off the hook, but Martin is always painting Jonah with the best possible intentions. We see Jonah as a sympathetic person and not someone dismissed for racism or stubbornness.
Five chapters I’ve marked for special review when I’ve had time for the material to soak in. Martin challenged my views of God’s sovereign Providence in casting lots, how Jonah is a type of Christ, the nature of Ninevah’s repentance, and the role of magistrates in civil religion. These areas I will need to do further reading, study and prayer because Martin has challenged my assumptions.
One last thought: Martin’s issues in 1870 are not my issues now. His criticism hits different because he’s not a 21 century American. The value of older commentary is that I see Scripture through a new lens. Also, he’s not a part of the Big Eva approved list who will get a speaking tour and endorsements from conference speakers, which lead to further book deals (I’m looking at you, Gospel Coalition).
March 29, 2023
A devotional commentary that was helpful to read as I have been doing an in-depth study on the book of Jonah recently. One thing that bugged me, however, was how Martin spends way more time and space unpacking Jonah chapters 1 (14 sermons) and 3 (6 sermons)), compared to chapters 2 and 4 (1 sermon devoted to each of these chapters). In this regard, his treatment of the book as a whole felt a bit imbalanced.
July 15, 2023
Absolutamente sorprendente. Volveré de nuevo a este libro con más calma. En el capítulo 2, y el que aplica a Cristo como tipo de Jonás. La edición que leí, posee 140 páginas más.
March 6, 2014
I have always like Hugh Martin's works. This book is no exception. The true "commentary" sections of the book are excellent. And Martin works hard to expound the Gospel in Jonah. My only issues are that the book meanders too much. The applications Martin makes sometimes wander too far afield, hence his pastoral observations seem a bit stained at times. It also seems to me that Martin does not pay enough attention to the covenantal nature of the book and so he seems to want to almost place it in the New Testament. This is due, no doubt, to his efforts to expound the Gospel as it is presented to us in Jonah. So I can't really find fault with him there. Over all, this is a great book, but not quite what one expects from the word "commentary."
January 15, 2023
Ab-so-lutely excellent. I wasn't expecting a commentary so devotional and delving so deep into all that the book of Jonah offers. The chapter 'Ninevahs Repentance' was phenomenal, many churches in the west need that chapter.
My one complaint is that Martin lays out the relation of the Book of Jonah to the covenant curse in Deuteronomy 32:16, a link which so few commentators see and even fewer apply to the book, but having established the connection in the first two chapters he then seemingly abandons it for the rest of the commentary. Still very good though.
My one complaint is that Martin lays out the relation of the Book of Jonah to the covenant curse in Deuteronomy 32:16, a link which so few commentators see and even fewer apply to the book, but having established the connection in the first two chapters he then seemingly abandons it for the rest of the commentary. Still very good though.
November 7, 2020
Highly recommended
Great depth, and night. He went off on a few tangents that took long for him to return back to the narrative.
Great depth, and night. He went off on a few tangents that took long for him to return back to the narrative.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews