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The Hodder Bible Commentary: Acts
50 volumes. 4 million words. Global representation.
Engage with the latest theological thinking in this new, readable exposition of the Bible in 50 volumes. Covering all books of the Bible and including the full the Anglicised New International Version (NIV) text, the Hodder Bible Commentary series makes connecting scripture and scholarship easier than ever.
Explore how the Bible intersects with 21st century life with commentary that is doctrinally sensitive and globally aware, sourced from a team of contributors representing a variety of cultural and ecclesiastical contexts from around the world.
Designed to be accessible to all adult readers and particularly for those who preach, teach, and lead Bible studies, each book is split into manageable sections suitable for talks or study groups. Read the Bible text and the commentary side by side to gain a deep knowledge of scripture and the variety of interpretations that can be made from it.
Be refreshed with new understanding. Be encouraged to apply your conclusions to life today.
Engage with the latest theological thinking in this new, readable exposition of the Bible in 50 volumes. Covering all books of the Bible and including the full the Anglicised New International Version (NIV) text, the Hodder Bible Commentary series makes connecting scripture and scholarship easier than ever.
Explore how the Bible intersects with 21st century life with commentary that is doctrinally sensitive and globally aware, sourced from a team of contributors representing a variety of cultural and ecclesiastical contexts from around the world.
Designed to be accessible to all adult readers and particularly for those who preach, teach, and lead Bible studies, each book is split into manageable sections suitable for talks or study groups. Read the Bible text and the commentary side by side to gain a deep knowledge of scripture and the variety of interpretations that can be made from it.
Be refreshed with new understanding. Be encouraged to apply your conclusions to life today.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 12, 2024
Salter provides a fairly comprehensive commentary on the Book of Acts, utilizing scholarship and historical accounts. It would be helpful for many to have a basic understanding of the earliest decades of The Way (the new Christian “church”). It’s easy to read and understand and answers many of the most common questions about this part of Christian scriptures.
Like many commentaries, but unlike the best ones, Salter does not present many contrary viewpoints or deal with the really difficult questions. For example, I found his view of Paul/Saul to be one of extreme reverence, almost making Paul infallible and equal to Christ. Such as Paul’s return to Jerusalem, recounted in Acts 20-21, he avoids how to interpret 20:22-23 with 21:4. In the earlier verses, Paul says he’s compelled by the Spirit (capitalized in most translations to show the deity). Or is he compelled in his own spirit? Because Paul admits that he’s been warned by the Holy Spirit—note the distinction—of the imprisonment and afflictions if he goes there. And then on his journey, Paul is greeted by church members in Tyre who proclaim that the Spirit (again, often capitalized) is indicating that Paul should not go to Jerusalem. Salter does not answer whether it’s the Holy Spirit in all three messages, or just the one so designated. The alternative is that Paul’s own spirit says, “Go” while the church leaders’ vibe (lower case spirit) is that Paul should not go. And the only divine message is one predicting his fate. Salter does not acknowledge that perhaps Paul’s hubris as the Great Evangelist compels him towards the Jewish capital. Salter only exalts Paul’s determination to suffer, if he must, for the cause. But what cause? Jerusalem already had plenty of apostles, evangelists, teachers. If death occurs in Jerusalem, as might be expected, it does not further any potential mission to Rome.
In the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), and in the Gospels, we’re given portraits of many flawed people of faith who stumbled, imperfectly trying to live up to God’s expectations. I didn’t find anything like that in this commentary. Even Peter, who needs to be told three times in a vision to eat “unclean” (non-kosher) food (Acts 10), is viewed favorably in this commentary. Peter’s obtuseness or cultural reluctance or stubbornness is not mentioned (as is often found in commentaries)…or was he already open to new relationships, staying with a tanner (an awful, odorous job) because he had already communed with a tax collector and Zealot and a half-Jewish/half-Greek as fellow disciples?. Peter had already learned from the Christ how to relate to non-Jews: his spiritual brothers and sisters in the inner circle, throughout Samaria, the Decapolis, Tyre/Sidon, etc.. So what really is the lesson of Peter’s vision? Salter in some ways just gives us the Sunday School answer here.
If you need a basic single volume commentary on the book of Acts, you can’t go wrong. But you might do better as well with a bit more thought.
Like many commentaries, but unlike the best ones, Salter does not present many contrary viewpoints or deal with the really difficult questions. For example, I found his view of Paul/Saul to be one of extreme reverence, almost making Paul infallible and equal to Christ. Such as Paul’s return to Jerusalem, recounted in Acts 20-21, he avoids how to interpret 20:22-23 with 21:4. In the earlier verses, Paul says he’s compelled by the Spirit (capitalized in most translations to show the deity). Or is he compelled in his own spirit? Because Paul admits that he’s been warned by the Holy Spirit—note the distinction—of the imprisonment and afflictions if he goes there. And then on his journey, Paul is greeted by church members in Tyre who proclaim that the Spirit (again, often capitalized) is indicating that Paul should not go to Jerusalem. Salter does not answer whether it’s the Holy Spirit in all three messages, or just the one so designated. The alternative is that Paul’s own spirit says, “Go” while the church leaders’ vibe (lower case spirit) is that Paul should not go. And the only divine message is one predicting his fate. Salter does not acknowledge that perhaps Paul’s hubris as the Great Evangelist compels him towards the Jewish capital. Salter only exalts Paul’s determination to suffer, if he must, for the cause. But what cause? Jerusalem already had plenty of apostles, evangelists, teachers. If death occurs in Jerusalem, as might be expected, it does not further any potential mission to Rome.
In the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), and in the Gospels, we’re given portraits of many flawed people of faith who stumbled, imperfectly trying to live up to God’s expectations. I didn’t find anything like that in this commentary. Even Peter, who needs to be told three times in a vision to eat “unclean” (non-kosher) food (Acts 10), is viewed favorably in this commentary. Peter’s obtuseness or cultural reluctance or stubbornness is not mentioned (as is often found in commentaries)…or was he already open to new relationships, staying with a tanner (an awful, odorous job) because he had already communed with a tax collector and Zealot and a half-Jewish/half-Greek as fellow disciples?. Peter had already learned from the Christ how to relate to non-Jews: his spiritual brothers and sisters in the inner circle, throughout Samaria, the Decapolis, Tyre/Sidon, etc.. So what really is the lesson of Peter’s vision? Salter in some ways just gives us the Sunday School answer here.
If you need a basic single volume commentary on the book of Acts, you can’t go wrong. But you might do better as well with a bit more thought.
July 1, 2024
Okay Read
I received an advanced review copy for free from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a good read. I got some of the Hodder Bible Commentary books from Netgalley, and I decided to start with The Hodder Bible Commentary: Acts. The Hodder Bible Commentary: Acts is written by Martin Salter and thoroughly examines the Book of Acts. I think it gives me more of a perspective of the events that occurred. I thought it made me expand on my biblical knowledge so that I can build my relationship with God. This is my first Bible Commentary book, and I know as I grasp more understanding of what goes into a commentary. I believe that this was an okay start for me to build on my relationship and understand the many questions that I had in the Book of Acts. I hope as I go through the other Bible Commentary books that I can gain more insight into the Bible and the historical and scholarly aspects presented in the commentary. Overall, an okay read.
I received an advanced review copy for free from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a good read. I got some of the Hodder Bible Commentary books from Netgalley, and I decided to start with The Hodder Bible Commentary: Acts. The Hodder Bible Commentary: Acts is written by Martin Salter and thoroughly examines the Book of Acts. I think it gives me more of a perspective of the events that occurred. I thought it made me expand on my biblical knowledge so that I can build my relationship with God. This is my first Bible Commentary book, and I know as I grasp more understanding of what goes into a commentary. I believe that this was an okay start for me to build on my relationship and understand the many questions that I had in the Book of Acts. I hope as I go through the other Bible Commentary books that I can gain more insight into the Bible and the historical and scholarly aspects presented in the commentary. Overall, an okay read.
August 9, 2024
I received a complimentary copy of the book via Netgalley.
The book of Acts have always felt intimidating to me, the first few chapters I am well acquainted with, but as the book goes on, I never really understood or got to dig deeper in order to understand what's happening and how God is shown throughout the story.
This Bible commentary really helped me understand the things I would normally just read over and not get a full revelation or understanding of.
Sometimes I am overwhelmed by Bible commentaries, also because there's so many writers out there giving their opinions and revelations, so in the beginning of this I felt a little overwhelmed, but as I kept reading while reading my Bible, I started to enjoy it more.
This Bible commentary is a great tool to use alongside your Bible. I love how it shows how the message of salvation is spread even through difficult situations.
I would recommend this to anyone who would like to dig deeper in the passages of the book of Acts and gain greater understanding of the verses and life of Peter, Paul, the church, the message of salvation, etc.
The book of Acts have always felt intimidating to me, the first few chapters I am well acquainted with, but as the book goes on, I never really understood or got to dig deeper in order to understand what's happening and how God is shown throughout the story.
This Bible commentary really helped me understand the things I would normally just read over and not get a full revelation or understanding of.
Sometimes I am overwhelmed by Bible commentaries, also because there's so many writers out there giving their opinions and revelations, so in the beginning of this I felt a little overwhelmed, but as I kept reading while reading my Bible, I started to enjoy it more.
This Bible commentary is a great tool to use alongside your Bible. I love how it shows how the message of salvation is spread even through difficult situations.
I would recommend this to anyone who would like to dig deeper in the passages of the book of Acts and gain greater understanding of the verses and life of Peter, Paul, the church, the message of salvation, etc.
August 22, 2024
I appreciated getting a copy of this commentary on Acts by Martin Salter. It's very straightforward and clear to follow even as a layperson. There's a helpful introduction about the author of Acts and dating of when it was written as well as clarifying who it was written for. There is then a good piece about the structure of the book and the themes within it. The actually commentary is broken down into manageable and readable sections with the relevant passage from Acts being set out in the book too.
With thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press | Hodder & Stoughton for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
With thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press | Hodder & Stoughton for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2024
This commentary is an excellent sermon / bible study resource. It requires some background knowledge but gives great incite into the text.
It sets out to "proclaim afresh" for this generation, "the word of God, for the glory of God" and achieves this with flying colours. Can't wait to experience the next Hodder Bible Commentary.
Thank you to Martin Salter, Hodder and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to write this review, which reflects my honest opinion.
It sets out to "proclaim afresh" for this generation, "the word of God, for the glory of God" and achieves this with flying colours. Can't wait to experience the next Hodder Bible Commentary.
Thank you to Martin Salter, Hodder and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to write this review, which reflects my honest opinion.
September 8, 2025
This is a new commentary series to me, but based on this one, I'll read more! Clear, not shallow but without being bogged down, and well applied. 4/5
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews