Luke 14-24: On the Road to Jerusalem

by Dale Ralph Davis

This layman’s commentary on the gospel of Luke will encourage you to take a fresh look at what can feel like a very familiar book. Let Dale Ralph Davis to guide you through Luke’s investigation into the man Jesus, who has come to seek and to save the lost. Following on from volume one, this book picks up at the beginning of chapter 14 and includes a number of Jesus’ parables, as well as his crucifixion and resurrection.

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 8, 2021

About the author

Dale Ralph Davis is Minister in Residence, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to that he was pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.

Reviews

[Michael Philliber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to do book reviews for a small firm in Austin, Texas. They would do publicity for self-published works or manuscripts put out by “micro-publishers.” Needless to say, the quality of the books varied greatly. I still remember one novel that was trucking along beautifully, drawing in my attention. Then, about three-fourths of the way through, at the crucial moment, there were ten blank pages with the remainder of the leaves only showing every other line. I was terribly disappointed. Therefore, I’m glad that Dale Ralph Davis, pastor, writer, and seminary professor, has completed his commentary on Luke. The first volume handled Luke 1-13, and now the second has arrived, “Luke 14-24: On the Road to Jerusalem”. This 256-page paperback follows the same approach as the first book, right through to the resurrection and ascension of our Lord. Packed with illustrative stories, and thoughtful observations, it makes for skillful sermon prep, beneficial Bible study groundwork, and deliberate devotional reading.

Davis continues to approach the gospel account in a scholarly way (Greek words, textual criticism, etc.) without turning them into a dry and weary land where there is no water. Rather, he stays on task and keeps on target, never straying out into the marshlands to get bogged down in the mire and muck. Further, his approach is not academic and abstract but gets uncomfortably down into our business, while exhibiting grace and generosity. It’s almost as if the writer wants to assure Christians that even in their tears or triumphs Jesus is a worthy Savior and wonderful Lord. And to gently challenge those who are not Christians to be skeptical of their skepticism and consider Jesus seriously.

“Luke 14-24: On the Road to Jerusalem” is a right and proper concluding work on Luke. Though one may notice the author occasionally putting forth positions they don’t completely agree with, nevertheless, they will find him thoughtfully amiable in his presentation, and they won’t mind it a bit. For example, I would call myself a postmillennialist and would take our Lord’s words 20:1-18 as almost completely worked out in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. But Davis kindly presents a different take, exhibiting his historical premillennialism. But it’s okay because he’s Dale Ralph Davis and writes friendly and forthrightly, and I was given a thing or two to ponder. If you get volume one – and you must – then you necessarily have to obtain this second volume. And I highly recommend you do!

My thanks to Christian Focus Publications for graciously answering my request and sending me the copy of the book used for this review. They made no demands on me, offered no bribes, and took no hostages. Therefore, my analysis is freely made and freely given.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, the natural accusation can arise from the cynics...I'm giving the author a 5-star review because he happens to be my father. But consider this: His yeoman's work on the Gospel of Luke (the longest Gospel in the Greek text) is even more impressive when one realizes the New Testament is really out of Dad's wheelhouse after years of being and Old Testament and Hebrew ninja. Although matters of Greek syntax and vocabulary navigated skillfully when needed, he moves with facility through the key details and expressed intent of Luke's message. With great skill, he dovetails the connections of Luke's Gospel to Old Testament passages, displaying how Jesus is the promised Messiah and demonstrating the focus of the ministry of the Son of God.

As ever, Davis is an apt expositor, an exquisite illustrator and storyteller, and unlike an increasing number of preachers today, he draws his applications from the text's teaching, not the other way around. The wonder of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane is worked out at great length and is alone worth the price of both volumes of this commentary. Sometimes writers will leave you with those "aha" moments of "Why did I never see that so clearly in the Bible before?" Davis manages to do that on almost ever page.

[Zach Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid commentary, especially when used for a Men’s Bible Study. The only downside is the format of the commentary itself. Some sections try to cover too much in too little; others try to squeeze blood out of a turnip.

[Phil Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful series of expositions. Due to space constraints not every verse is covered - but overall very helpful as DRD normally is.

[Joelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like his voice and his perspective. I appreciate the ways he breaks down the concepts. Super helpful to walk through a Luke study with this!