The Gospel of Matthew, Volume One

New Daily Study Bible

by William Barclay, Allister McGrath (Foreword)

For more than fifty years and for millions of readers around the world, the New Daily Study Bible commentaries have been the ideal help for both devotional and serious Bible study. William Barclay's brilliant communication, down-to-earth approach, and sheer enthusiasm have inspired generations of readers. These new editions contain a new foreword from renowned theologian and author Alister McGrath, along with updated language to clarify less familiar illustrations from the originals and the inclusion of more contemporary language.

Though we find the Gospel of Matthew first in the New Testament, many scholars believe that the Gospel of Mark is older. Matthew then is often seen as an expansion of Mark, incorporating most of the content of Mark while also adding sections that contain the teachings of Jesus, such as the Sermon on the Mount, and stories about the birth and infancy of Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as one who is "God with us" even until the end of time.

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

250 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2017

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

[Cliff M]

Not the sort of book I can read in one go, but over the last couple of years I have now had occasion to refer to all of it at one time or another, and have found it to be extremely helpful in understanding the lessons of Matthew. Watching films of the late William Barclay (a Glaswegian and a bear of a man) speaking about the gospels on YouTube also helped me hear his sonorous voice as I read.

[Dr Author O Wright, PhD, MinD, ThD, DD]

The Gospel of Matthew Volume One by William Barclay is a very informative and comprehensive study on the gospel according to Saint Matthew. This first volume gives vivid insights to this sacred book of Saint Matthew and covers its first ten chapters. Dr Barclay takes a courageous stand on the teaching of Matthew and presents the birth and teaching of Jesus in a unique way. In truth, each chapter is carefully explained in a verse by verse format, and great care is given to Jesus’ birth, baptism, temptations, and the beginning of his ministry. Indeed, Jesus’ teaching called the Sermon on the Mount is beautifully expounded upon with many vivid insights demonstrating his love and sincerity. This first volume is truly an indispensable aid to enriching your spiritual knowledge and faith in our risen Lord. This book is highly recommended.

[John]

This thing is the best read before turning in that I've ever read. What a thought provoking author who looked deeply into our King James bible and sees the origins of its rhetoric and time effected words so that we might better find the intended meaning. I just love it! And I'm a guy for God's sake. Go figure!
Deep and profoundly challenging read on the Matthew chapter in the Bible...reasonably done in a very engaging manner. I really enjoyed it.

[Mona]

As I finish my four month study of the first ten chapters of Matthew, and with the wisdom and guidance of the William Barclay, the Scottish scholar, I am continually amazed at the humbleness and charity of Jesus. Jesus is the truth of the world. I am forever changed, knowing his passionate, yet quiet, leadership is what we need to lean on, love on, and lead on as we experience His holiness becomes Him. I hope more of it rubs off on me.

[Kayla]

As part of my Moral Theology course, I was reintroduced to the Gospel of Matthew. The writing is not difficult to understand, however the parables can be tricky.

[Jiaming Jiang]

Great devotion book. Explains the deep meaning of the Bible very well. But as other people said, Barclay tends to deny miracles. He tries to explain them in a scientific way.

[Glenn Hopp]

William Barclay is a sensitive and perceptive writer on the New Testament. It is hard to see how anyone could read a 400-page commentary on the first ten chapters of Matthew and not find something to disagree with, yet conservatives seem to rally around faulting Barclay for any view they don’t share. I wish Barclay had gone into equal detail and depth on Luke as he did on Matthew. But all through this book, a reader encounters challenging insights presented modestly. Barclay usually gives a variety of interpretations before ending a passage with his own view, a fairness not found among many writers on the Bible. This first revised edition (1975) is the one to read, I think, if a copy can be found, since the hands of later editors doing more revising were a bit heavy (clumsy?).

[James Kerr]

Barclay's commentaries should be read with caution. He is fantastic in his sourcing, outside reading, and sermonic points. His gospel allusions are thought-provoking. James Montgomery Boice quotes him often in his sermons and commentaries. His outlines and points are text-driven.
However, Barclay leans away from some miracles and a robust biblical conservatism. I found myself many times, especially in the early chapters surrounding the virgin birth disagreeing with his statements and conclusions. Read him but read him with caution.

[Thordur]

For me as a theologian this is a good book. Matthew verse by verse with historical explanatory notes. If you believe in Christ and want to build your faith, then this is a book for you as well as all the other Barclay books which do explain every book of the N.T.

[Chris Alexis]

Outstanding. This really helps people understand the meaning and cultural background of what Jesus said that may be lost if just reading the Bible straight.... get to know Jesus better with this book!!

[Monte Hickingbottom]

I highly recommend this book for those looking for cultural backgrounds of the New Testament. I don’t agree with much of Barclay’s theology, but there are still many nuggets of truth to be mined here. Eat the meat and spit out the bones.

[Lisa Pence]

William Barclay takes the gospel of Matthew and explains each verse by drawing information from the other gospels to further tell the story. He is by far my favorite author in the Bible commentary genre. I am looking forward to vol. 2.

[John Connolly]

This is such a great series

I have used this commentary series as my devotional material for several years and I continue to enjoy it and get so much from it every day. I cannot recommend this book and series highly enough.

[Chuck]

This is a great bible study book, the best I have found. Mr. Barclay's analysis of the scripture is amazing. He looks deep into the passages brings out very inept meaning. I will be reading this series and learning through every book.

[CHRISTY]

Barclay provided a lot of background and helpful information, but he also provided a lot of poetry and illustrations that weren't particularly meaningful to me. Not my favorite of his commentaries.

[C Brennan Poole]

Perspective and Insight a plenty

[Larada Horner-Miller]

A deeply rewarding look at half of the book of Matthew. Barclay continues to show the deep connections with Jewish beliefs. Such a rewarding study!

[patricia]

did not finish. this is someone examining the gospel of matthew,bible study style, was an old book that I might draw inspiration from, but was more a study then inspirational. could not finish...

[Jesse Stoddard]

The depth that the author brings, the historical context, and literary examples used for comparison is second-to-none. I thoroughly enjoyed carefully reading through this book.

[Olo]

4.0

[Fr. Dave Tomaszycki]

This is a very handy series. At the recommendation of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, I've been slowly working my way through it since 2011.

[Andrew Corrie]

Barclay's commentaries are always informative - drawing on a wide selection of literary, historical and philosophical illustrations, but he never drowns out the message in dry technicalities.

[James Hatton]

William Barclay was an excellent interpreter of the teachings of Jesus. He translated the New Testament from its early Greek format. His method was to endeavor to convey the meaning of Jesus' teachings, rather than to ensure his translations conformed to the doctrine of a given Christian sect. For this reason, I feel they are the most useful translations of the New Testament gospels. As with his several other books on the New Testament, this Gospel of Matthew is well worth reading. Barclay's two volume study of the Gospel of Matthew has significantly contributed to my understanding of Jesus' message.

[Cws]

226.2

[Sarah Ferguson]

great help for Bible study :-)

[Connie]

As I read/prayed through Matthew, this commentary was helpful for my understanding and inspiration for prayer.

[Apryl Anderson]

I'm tracking my 'One Year Bible' reading with Barclay's NT commentaries this year. What a wealth of insight from his intensive knowledge of ancient texts and cultural studies!

[David]

Good start to the classic series.....

[Russ Skinner]

Excellent again. Fascinating morsels in almost every daily commentary.

[Louise]

My priest suggested that I start with the book of Matthew as an introduction to the New Testament. Volume 1 goes through the first 10 chapters. Excellent insight into the scriptures.