The Gospel of Matthew: Jesus as Israel, Volume 2

Through New Eyes Bible Commentary

by Peter J. Leithart

In the second volume of his commentary on the gospel of Matthew, Peter Leithart presents a close study of Matthew 13 through 28, underscoring Jesus' formation of a counter-kingdom that also retells the story of Israel. Jesus is the true Israel who takes on the roles of various Old Testament Moses the law-giver, Joshua the conqueror, Solomon the philosopher-king, Elisha the wonder-working prophet leading a company of prophets, as well as Jeremiah and Ezekiel warning of the temple's imminent destruction. Jesus' interactions with the leaders of Israel recapitulate Yahweh's tortured interactions with Israel in the Old Testament. In spite of Israel's repeated rejections, Yahweh never gave up on His beloved. His love is stronger than death, and He returns as the world-emperor to send His new Israel to disciple the nations.

Genres: Christian

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2019

About the author

Peter Leithart received an A.B. in English and History from Hillsdale College in 1981, and a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1986 and 1987. In 1998 he received his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge in England. He has served in two pastorates: He was pastor of Reformed Heritage Presbyterian Church (now Trinity Presbyterian Church), Birmingham, Alabama from 1989 to 1995, and was founding pastor of Trinity Reformed Church, Moscow, Idaho, and served on the pastoral staff at Trinity from 2003-2013. From 1998 to 2013 he taught theology and literature at New St. Andrews College, Moscow, Idaho, where he continues to teach as an adjunct Senior Fellow. He now serves as President of Trinity House in Alabama, where is also resident Church Teacher at the local CREC church. He and his wife, Noel, have ten children and five grandchildren.

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second volume is just as good, if not better, than the first. Leithart emphasizes time and time again the upside-down nature of the kingdom of heaven and the radical call of discipleship, always with a keen eye to details in the passage that you would otherwise brush over. At times, his emphasis (or, Jesus' emphasis?) on the high call of discipleship puts works on such a high pedestal that one might wonder if his critics are right that he is a bit Roman Catholic in his understanding of justification. Having read many of his works (including his book on justification), this book made me see the validity of this criticism most clearly. However, it is significant to me that Leithart never emphasizes works at the expense of faith, and that he often circles back to address this very concern explicitly, affirming that works are a product of faith, and so on.

A real strength of this volume is Leithart's awareness of the importance of the historical-covenantal context and eschatological horizon of Jesus' ministry. This is relevant in more places than you might expect! Importantly, while Leithart takes a preterist view on these things, he also recognizes the various eschatological horizons that point further to every generation and to the eventual Second Coming.

Finally, Leithart's literary analysis is, at times, riveting. I found this especially to be the case toward the end of the gospel in his drawing out irony and reversals in the characters and events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection. To give just one example, he mentions how the soldiers who were hired to guard the tomb of Jesus in order to prevent a false report from going out by his disciples, fall asleep on the job and eventually are hired again to spread a false report from the Jewish leaders.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Leithart! Sometimes he just sees stuff that no one else sees. And most of the time I think he is totally right!!! His Old Testament understanding is so vast he sees stuff in color that we only see in black and white. What an awesome thing! Highly recommended. You need this commentary

[Dan Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leithart's 2 volume commentary on Matthew is so good. He spends very little time interacting with what other commentators have said about the text or how they have interpreted the book. Rather, he spends his time reading Matthew in light of OT prophecies and types. This is very rich in theological depth and literary analysis. While this commentary is based on careful scholarship it is also devotionally rich. This is one of my go-to commentaries whenever I preach or teach on Matthew.

[James Denard · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far this is the most satisfied I’ve felt after reading through a Bible commentary. These two volumes addressed most of my particular questions about Matthew’s Gospel while being completely faithful to the text as well as a compelling read. What’s up with Matthew’s quotations of the prophets? Why did John the Baptist question if Jesus was “the coming One”? What is Jesus trying to accomplish through His different sermons and healings?

[Jonathan Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leithart is always thought provoking and this second volume is no different. I disagree with him on things here and there, but he is able to see things I had not. This is not a commentary proper, but more theological essays on the successive sections of Matthew's gospel. See my review on volume 1 for more information.

[Cory A Byrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leithart's commentary on Matthew is a very informative read into the typological and symbolic themes running throughout Matthew's gospel. His expounding of Matthew 24-25 is also helpful in understanding a dual fulfilment in both AD 70 and in the final judgment.

[Josh Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!