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Surprised by Jesus: Subversive grace in the four Gospels
When God-in-the-flesh showed up twenty centuries ago in Palestine, the religious PhDs rejected him and the prostitutes and social outcasts flocked to him. Why? Because the open welcome of divine grace that Jesus offers, open to anyone who would simply leave their moral resume at home, is not predictable. It is not safe. It is subversive...
In this book, Dane Ortlund reflects on this subversive grace as it uniquely emerges in each of the four Gospel accounts. In each Gospel, the message and mission of Jesus is deeply surprising:
In Matthew, we see the surprise of disobedient obedience.
In Mark, we see the surprise of the king undergoing the fate of a criminal.
In Luke, we see the surprise of the insiders becoming outsiders and the outsiders becoming insiders.
In John, we see the surprise of the Creator of the universe becoming one of his own creatures.
Such surprises confound our law-marinated hearts. But the good news that Jesus won with his own blood will not be tamed. This good news is defiant. This book exists to exult in this good news and the scandalous mercy Jesus loves to pour out on needy sinners—on people like you and me.
In this book, Dane Ortlund reflects on this subversive grace as it uniquely emerges in each of the four Gospel accounts. In each Gospel, the message and mission of Jesus is deeply surprising:
In Matthew, we see the surprise of disobedient obedience.
In Mark, we see the surprise of the king undergoing the fate of a criminal.
In Luke, we see the surprise of the insiders becoming outsiders and the outsiders becoming insiders.
In John, we see the surprise of the Creator of the universe becoming one of his own creatures.
Such surprises confound our law-marinated hearts. But the good news that Jesus won with his own blood will not be tamed. This good news is defiant. This book exists to exult in this good news and the scandalous mercy Jesus loves to pour out on needy sinners—on people like you and me.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
166 people are currently reading
2095 people want to read
About the author
Dane C. Ortlund
96 books683 followersDane C. Ortlund (PhD, Wheaton College) is chief publishing officer and Bible publisher at Crossway. He serves as an editor for the Knowing the Bible series and the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, and is the author of several books, including Gentle and Lowly and Edwards on the Christian Life. He is an elder at Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois. Dane lives with his wife, Stacey, and their five children in Wheaton, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
July 9, 2022
4.5 stars
Those of us who have grown up in the church or have been reading the Bible for many years sometimes forget how surprising the message of each of the four gospels really is. Ortlund reminds us how counterintuitive they are and how they subvert, or even invert, our default ideas about the world and what God expects of us.
“In Matthew, as we have seen, Jesus’ definition of morality is counterintuitive, the reverse of what we would expect, as he castigates the morally scrupulous rather than the morally profane. In Mark, Jesus’ mission is counterintuitive, as the King of all kings is treated as the criminal of all criminals. In Luke we find that Jesus’ community is counterintuitive. Those whom one would expect to be ‘in’ are excluded, and those whom one would expect to be ‘out’ are included. The inner ring is inverted.”
“In John, we come to the surprise of the Creator as a creature. Jesus’ identity is counterintuitive. Here we are not asking, as in Matthew, what obedience looks like; nor, as in Mark, what Jesus came to do; nor, as in Luke, who comprises his community. We are asking who he is. ”
Jesus is the Word become flesh. This idea was scandalous to the Greek mindset which regarded the flesh as inherently inferior to the spirit, and also to the Jewish mindset which regarded God as infinitely transcendent beyond humans.
Ortlund quotes CS Lewis:
“Among the Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if he was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says he has always existed. He says he is coming to judge the world at the end of time. Now let us get this clear. Among Pantheists, like the Indians, anyone might say that he was a part of God, or one with God: there would be nothing very odd about it. But this man, since he was a Jew, could not mean that kind of God. God, in their language, meant the Being outside the world who had made it and was infinitely different from anything else and when you have grasped that, you’ll see that what this man said was, quite simply, the most shocking thing that has ever been uttered by human lips.”
“Al Mohler writes that Christians tend to ‘believe that their major problem is something that has happened to them, and that their solution is to be found within. In other words, they believe that they have an alien problem that is to be resolved with an inner solution. What the gospel says, however, is that we have an inner problem that demands an alien solution.’ Our culture tells us that the problem is outside us and the solution is inside us. The gospel tells us that the problem is inside us and the solution is outside us.”
Those of us who have grown up in the church or have been reading the Bible for many years sometimes forget how surprising the message of each of the four gospels really is. Ortlund reminds us how counterintuitive they are and how they subvert, or even invert, our default ideas about the world and what God expects of us.
“In Matthew, as we have seen, Jesus’ definition of morality is counterintuitive, the reverse of what we would expect, as he castigates the morally scrupulous rather than the morally profane. In Mark, Jesus’ mission is counterintuitive, as the King of all kings is treated as the criminal of all criminals. In Luke we find that Jesus’ community is counterintuitive. Those whom one would expect to be ‘in’ are excluded, and those whom one would expect to be ‘out’ are included. The inner ring is inverted.”
“In John, we come to the surprise of the Creator as a creature. Jesus’ identity is counterintuitive. Here we are not asking, as in Matthew, what obedience looks like; nor, as in Mark, what Jesus came to do; nor, as in Luke, who comprises his community. We are asking who he is. ”
Jesus is the Word become flesh. This idea was scandalous to the Greek mindset which regarded the flesh as inherently inferior to the spirit, and also to the Jewish mindset which regarded God as infinitely transcendent beyond humans.
Ortlund quotes CS Lewis:
“Among the Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if he was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says he has always existed. He says he is coming to judge the world at the end of time. Now let us get this clear. Among Pantheists, like the Indians, anyone might say that he was a part of God, or one with God: there would be nothing very odd about it. But this man, since he was a Jew, could not mean that kind of God. God, in their language, meant the Being outside the world who had made it and was infinitely different from anything else and when you have grasped that, you’ll see that what this man said was, quite simply, the most shocking thing that has ever been uttered by human lips.”
“Al Mohler writes that Christians tend to ‘believe that their major problem is something that has happened to them, and that their solution is to be found within. In other words, they believe that they have an alien problem that is to be resolved with an inner solution. What the gospel says, however, is that we have an inner problem that demands an alien solution.’ Our culture tells us that the problem is outside us and the solution is inside us. The gospel tells us that the problem is inside us and the solution is outside us.”
April 15, 2022
I found this book so refreshing and convicting. It’s an older book of Ortlund’s that is repackaged. However, it’s what you would expect from him: A tangible and almost unbelievable water hose of grace found in the person and work of Jesus.
I loved how he went through each Gospel to demonstrate a couple surprising things about Jesus. It really made me take another look at the Gospels and confess where I have made Jesus more into my image rather than being confirmed to his image. This book was a refreshing splash of grace on a hot day.
I loved how he went through each Gospel to demonstrate a couple surprising things about Jesus. It really made me take another look at the Gospels and confess where I have made Jesus more into my image rather than being confirmed to his image. This book was a refreshing splash of grace on a hot day.
February 8, 2023
The book reveals 4 surprises of Jesus (one from each of the 4 Gospels) that turn upside down our intuitive anticipations, with the aim of helping us cherish the amazing good news, understanding the staggering grace of God revealed in Jesus.
It is beautifully written, sheds such amazing light on the gospels. Again, a mark of Dane Ortlund’s writing: he keeps making Jesus more lovely and dear to me.
The gospel of Matthew reveals the surprise of disobedient obedience - Jesus’s definition of morality is counterintuitive, self-righteousness being the greatest obstacle to grace.
Mark: the surprise of the King as a criminal - Jesus’s mission is counterintuitive (attonement);
Luke: the surprise of the outsiders becoming insiders and insiders oddly becoming the outsiders - Jesus’s community is counterintuitive (ecclesiology - doctrine of the church);
John: the surprise of the Creator taking on flesh and blood - Jesus’s identity is counterintutive (christology).
It is beautifully written, sheds such amazing light on the gospels. Again, a mark of Dane Ortlund’s writing: he keeps making Jesus more lovely and dear to me.
The gospel of Matthew reveals the surprise of disobedient obedience - Jesus’s definition of morality is counterintuitive, self-righteousness being the greatest obstacle to grace.
Mark: the surprise of the King as a criminal - Jesus’s mission is counterintuitive (attonement);
Luke: the surprise of the outsiders becoming insiders and insiders oddly becoming the outsiders - Jesus’s community is counterintuitive (ecclesiology - doctrine of the church);
John: the surprise of the Creator taking on flesh and blood - Jesus’s identity is counterintutive (christology).
October 23, 2023
SO GOOD!!! Everyone needs to read this!
April 12, 2025
In his characteristic pastoral manner, Ortlund unveils the profound beauty of the gospel. He accomplishes his aim by inviting the reader to cherish the gospel more deeply. One of the most compelling aspects of the book is how it traces the element of surprise embedded within the gospel narrative. Ortlund masterfully employs contrast and comparison to illuminate how both Jews and Gentiles encountered Christ in ways that defied their expectations—the former stunned by a Messiah who subverted their Messianic ideals, and the latter astonished by His miraculous works and radical teachings. Structured into four chapters, the book explores the surprising nature of the gospel through morality, atonement, ecclesiology, and Christology with each chapter corresponding to one of the four Gospels. What I particularly enjoyed was Ortlund’s emphasis on the gospel’s “upside-down” nature. Through the use of comparisons, he shows hot things of the Kingdom are opposite the world. One quote, in particular, encapsulates this beautifully: “…in the kingdom of God, the one thing that qualifies you is knowing that you don’t qualify, and the one thing that disqualifies you is thinking that you do.” That truth resonated deeply with me. Ortlund’s work is intellectually stimulating and heart nourishing. It is a reminder that the gospel continues to surprise—and transform—those who truly encounter it.
January 14, 2024
A helpful book looking at familiar passages across the four gospels forcing the reader to stand and meditate in wonder at the grace and mercy of God with fresh surprise.
Ortland quotes CS Lewis "Among these Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if He was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says He has always existed. He says He is coming to judge the world at the end of time. Now let us get this clear. Among Pantheists, like the Indians, anyone might say that he was a part of God, or one with God: there would be nothing very odd about it. But this man, since He was a Jew, could not mean that kind of God. God, in their language, meant the Being outside the world, who had made it and was infinitely different from anything else. And when you have grasped that, you will see that what this man said was, quite simply, the most shocking thing that has ever been uttered by human lips."
Ortland quotes CS Lewis "Among these Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if He was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says He has always existed. He says He is coming to judge the world at the end of time. Now let us get this clear. Among Pantheists, like the Indians, anyone might say that he was a part of God, or one with God: there would be nothing very odd about it. But this man, since He was a Jew, could not mean that kind of God. God, in their language, meant the Being outside the world, who had made it and was infinitely different from anything else. And when you have grasped that, you will see that what this man said was, quite simply, the most shocking thing that has ever been uttered by human lips."
August 9, 2023
I could not put this book down, especially since I had so much time on the airplane! Definitely a top 5 book. I love the concept of Jesus not meeting, but exceeding our expectations, and this book speaks to that beautifully. He cannot be put in a box!
The book identifies a main way in each Gospel that Jesus’ counterintuitive nature is shown, and explains how it’s shown. This book opened my eyes to different ways Jesus exceeds our expectations and lived counterintuitively, and how I can apply that to my life in what I believe about him, how I live my life, and how I treat those around me. If you want to learn more about Jesus, read this book.
The book identifies a main way in each Gospel that Jesus’ counterintuitive nature is shown, and explains how it’s shown. This book opened my eyes to different ways Jesus exceeds our expectations and lived counterintuitively, and how I can apply that to my life in what I believe about him, how I live my life, and how I treat those around me. If you want to learn more about Jesus, read this book.
April 11, 2022
This book is most unique, and thought provoking!
This is a presentation of the message of the four gospels that is as unique and fresh as it is orthodox and theological. Warmly evangelistic, and pointedly promoting Christian growing and living, this is a book that needs to be read and absorbed. Pastor Ortlund crafts enough amazing metaphors and turns of phrase to make this a great read. Highly recommended!
This is a presentation of the message of the four gospels that is as unique and fresh as it is orthodox and theological. Warmly evangelistic, and pointedly promoting Christian growing and living, this is a book that needs to be read and absorbed. Pastor Ortlund crafts enough amazing metaphors and turns of phrase to make this a great read. Highly recommended!
June 12, 2024
This is one I’d like to come back to in the future! I need the reminder to soak in the gospel and marvel at God’s grace. Also, it was a fascinating viewpoint of the four gospels and the ways they present Jesus. Really cool stuff!
July 28, 2022
Short but oh so rich. A beautiful reminder of God’s amazing grace. I should probably just reserve an Ortlund section in my favorite books of the year post in December.
July 22, 2025
Accidentally ordered the wrong book for my holiday read - couldn’t be happier I ended up with this though. Stretched in brain and refreshed in heart.
April 17, 2022
Great little book on the gospels, and the ways that Jesus runs counter to expectations. I found myself convicted time and time again with how my thoughts of Jesus and the gospel are too much shaped by my own flesh.
May 30, 2022
I will read everything he writes! Not as good as Gentle and Lowly, in my opinion, but really great. :)
December 28, 2024
I think if I’d read a physical copy of this book and not listened to an audiobook I would have rated this 5 stars. Definitely a good read with lots of information. The format I used to read this book just didn’t work for me. This is the type of book I need to hold in my hands and probably use a highlighter with to absorb the information. I plan on eventually re-reading this with a physical copy and will see what I think then.
August 15, 2025
Fab fab fab!
Chapter on Matthew was particularly mind blowing but others also worth a read, especially John.
I was indeed surprised.
Chapter on Matthew was particularly mind blowing but others also worth a read, especially John.
I was indeed surprised.
March 21, 2025
A great book to focus simultaneously on the character of Jesus and on his purpose for coming. I particularly enjoyed Ortlund's exposition on the passage in Matthew and how we need to check our good obedience against God's character of grace, and how he keeps emphasizing grace in each of the four Gospel accounts. It's a subversive view of Jesus that needs to be shared more often since it's easy to forget or not believe what God says about us and how he really feels toward us. He loves us so much he was willing to see d Jesus for us! While I enjoyed the in depth look at one passage in each gospel I think it would be interesting to see how the ideas put forth apply to other passages in each gospel, but I guess that's motivation for me to keep searching the scriptures for myself. Overall, highly recommend if you need encouragement in your faith or a reminder of what Jesus is all about (i.e. it's not just being a good person or a better person).
October 21, 2022
Man, every time I read Dane Ortlund I amazed at the way that he can speak on things I have heard a thousand times but they always seem to fall fresh. Also he uncovers little details that are so easy to miss and brings them to light. I loved the way he took the overarching themes of the Gospels and showed how each one has something unique to say about the life of Christ. There is something almost magical about his writing style. It both rich and eloquent while managing to be extremely accessible. This book was an absolute treat. Every time I have read a book by Dane Ortlund my love for and view of God has increased. I think that is the mark of a great Christian author. But what do I know, I’m just a math guy.
February 21, 2023
Surprised by Jesus was a wonderful read! The author, Dane Ortlund, emphasizes the concept that Jesus was counterintuitive to the world that he was living in, as well as the world that we live in today. Dane Ortlund talks about how all four of the gospels show the counterintuitive nature of Jesus in different ways. This book was able to give me a fresh perspective and lens on how I read the gospels, as well as giving me different things to look for in the holy text. I’d recommend this book to any brother or sister who wants to explore the surprising grace that Jesus offers us.
July 7, 2022
Ortlund will walk you through the 4 gospels and show off the beautifully surprising goodness of the Gospel in Christ. If you’re wanting something to read that brings your heart back to being surprised by the goodness of the gospel, this is the book for you.
March 11, 2022
A wonderful book on the surprising and powerful nature of Christ as seen through the four gospels. This book will nourish and challenge your faith!
May 28, 2022
Excellent devotional must read book which is extremely helpful to understand grace.
June 27, 2023
Excelente
January 20, 2024
So refreshing and full of wisdom! Everyone should read this and be amazed at our Saviour who offers restoration and abundant grace to all sinners.
April 12, 2024
I found Part 1 (gospel of Matthew) the most compelling and enlightening. Some of my favorite quotes:
“The gospel of Matthew shows us there are two ways to reject God: hardhearted disobedience and hardhearted obedience.”
“On the cross, the one person who was ever truly qualified, allowed himself to be disqualified, so that we could be qualified free of charge.
The gospel is the happy invitation to trade neither all of our bad for being good, nor to trade all of our good for being better. The gospel invites us to trade all our bad and our good for being free.”
“It is not immorality, but morality that is the greatest enemy to Christianity” (quoting Martin Lloyd Jones)
“The gospel of Matthew shows us there are two ways to reject God: hardhearted disobedience and hardhearted obedience.”
“On the cross, the one person who was ever truly qualified, allowed himself to be disqualified, so that we could be qualified free of charge.
The gospel is the happy invitation to trade neither all of our bad for being good, nor to trade all of our good for being better. The gospel invites us to trade all our bad and our good for being free.”
“It is not immorality, but morality that is the greatest enemy to Christianity” (quoting Martin Lloyd Jones)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2022
Ortlund’s writing style is incredibly easy to follow and clearly articulates his thoughts. A quick skim at the table of contents and one can obtain a succinct understand of where this book is going. His walk through of the surprising nature of Jesus in the four Gospels is a perfect introduction to who Jesus is and why he is not like any other. While an enjoyable and encouraging read, I do believe it is just the tip of the iceberg on how surprising Jesus is. Therefore, I commend “Knowing Christ” by Mark Jones and “The Glory of Christ” by John Owen as important follow up reads.
June 26, 2025
I am BLOWN away by the beauty and truth of Dane Ortlunds writing!! Incredible incredible incredible!!! 🤍
November 8, 2024
After hearing many enthusiastic and persuasive reviews about how incredible this book is from a good friend, I finally picked it up. I can see now why his reviews were so passionate - this is a must read book!!!
"Jesus Christ simply cannot be tamed. He is not one-dimensional, not predictable; he does not map on to our pre-existing expectations of what he is like. He is wonderfully disruptive.
...
Could it be that you and I have been wading in the shallows of fellowship with Christ, thinking we have exhausted the ocean? Could it be that there is more for us to experience in Jesus than we have yet dreamed of?"
"Jesus Christ simply cannot be tamed. He is not one-dimensional, not predictable; he does not map on to our pre-existing expectations of what he is like. He is wonderfully disruptive.
...
Could it be that you and I have been wading in the shallows of fellowship with Christ, thinking we have exhausted the ocean? Could it be that there is more for us to experience in Jesus than we have yet dreamed of?"
June 10, 2022
Through the use of scripture (each gospel!) and an incredible amount of resources, Dane Ortlund shows how Jesus turns everything upside down. Every reflection is gospel-based and Jesus focused as Ortlund explores specific, key passages of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I found each to be both informative (learned a lot about the culture and history) and challenging to my faith and understanding of who Jesus is.
Ortlund has received a lot of well-deserved attention for Gentle and Lowly. He should receive the same for this simple book.
Ortlund has received a lot of well-deserved attention for Gentle and Lowly. He should receive the same for this simple book.
August 8, 2021
What a helpful little book. Ortlund looks at an overview of the 4 gospels to show Jesus’ message and mission and it’s uniqueness and wonder. A chapter on each drawing out the surprise of disobedient obedience, the scandal of the king as a criminal, outsiders becoming insiders and the Creator becoming a creature. Heartwarming and challenging in equal measure - o that I would live a more grace filled life.
April 7, 2022
This is an excellent book that explores who Jesus is and what He has done. I recommend this for all Christians, whether new or seasoned, as well as for those who don’t yet believe, but are will to learn more about Christ!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews