Skip to the end for my recommended commentary list for The Gospel of Matthew.
Reading a biblical commentary alongside your daily Scripture study is one of the easiest ways to deepen your understanding and avoid misinterpreting the text. It’s surprising how often people—yes, even pastors—teach from Scripture without leaning on the work of scholars who’ve devoted their lives to careful interpretation.
First things First: What is a Commentary?
A commentary is usually a hefty book written about a single book of the Bible. It works through the text chapter by chapter, verse by verse, often reflecting years (sometimes decades) of deep scholarly work. Think of it as walking through the Bible with an expert guide who’s pointing out all the things you’d otherwise miss.
A good commentary doesn’t just explain—it equips. It helps you read Scripture more faithfully, more clearly, and (hopefully) more transformatively. When we interpret the Bible well, it can shape us into more loving, grounded people. When we guess at its meaning—or twist it to fit our own agendas—it can easily become a tool for tribalism or even spiritual harm.
As someone who’s made commentary reading part of my daily rhythm, I want to share a few tips that might help you grow in biblical literacy and discernment. Ideally, you’ll become someone who doesn’t just absorb other people’s interpretations—but learns to spot when something’s off, whether it’s in a sermon, a small group, or something you saw on YouTube.
So grab your coffee, and let’s dig in:
1. Choose a Recent Commentary.
Sure, older commentaries have their charm (and some real gems), but modern biblical scholarship has come a long way—especially in the last half-century. Thanks to new archaeological discoveries and advances in our understanding of ancient languages and cultures, we’re reading Scripture today with fresh eyes.
Our understanding of 1st-century Judaism has dramatically expanded, which shifts how we read books like Romans or Ephesians. Modern commentaries engage with both the rich tradition of church history and the latest insights from archaeology, linguistics, and historical studies. That combo is priceless.
2. Beginners Should Ignore the Words in Parentheses.
New readers often get tripped up by all the parentheses and abbreviations. You’ll be reading along and suddenly hit something like: (Jos. Life 66; Theissen 1991:36).
It is not necessary for you to always understand what you are looking at in order to engage meaningfully with the work. And don’t worry—you’re not missing anything crucial, much of it is just shorthand for scholarly sources. In this example:
• Jos. Life 66 refers to Josephus’ The Life of Flavius Josephus, page 66.
• Theissen 1991:36 is citing Gerd Theissen’s The Gospel in Context, published in 1991, page 36.
You can safely skip over these. If the commentary author wanted you to know something important, it’d be written in the main text. Over time, as you read more, you’ll start recognizing names and even enjoy seeing familiar references pop up.
3. Read Commentaries Backwards.
Commentaries typically follow this structure:
Introduction → Verse-by-verse analysis → Summary/Reflection
The intros and summaries/reflections are usually the most digestible and immediately helpful parts. That’s where the scholar steps back and gives you the big picture.
To be honest, I usually start at the end and read the reflection first. That way if I see something interesting I can immediately jump to the middle section —the analysis, to learn more. These parts can get dense, and if I just read from the beginning I may not understand it without first reading the summary, and I’m sure that some of you are like me. In that middle section you’ll typically run into Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and references to scholarly debates that feel like inside baseball. It’s okay to skim—or even skip—that section if it’s not helpful to you yet.
The goal isn’t to feel smart; it’s to understand a little bit more than you did before.
4. Read Widely, Across Time, Tradition, and Culture.
Bible stories are taught different ways in different cultures, and even if you have grown up understanding what a parable or teaching from scripture means, and even thought you feel like you understand it, there is always more to learn. Read it from a black perspective, or from someone from the global south. Reading commentaries written by women has opened my eyes a more beautiful side of Jesus than I could have found anywhere else, and has informed how I teach my own daughter the story of Jesus.
One of the best things a commentary can do for you is force you to slow down and look at things from the other side. It’s easy to fall into the habit of rushing through big chunks of Scripture just to check a box. But the real transformation comes when we move slowly, deliberately, with curiosity.
Let each paragraph breathe. Linger. It’s in that slowness that we start to notice new things, ask better questions, and open ourselves up to real change.
Commentary Recommendations (on the Gospel of Matthew)
These are some of the commentaries I have used to study Matthew at Watermark Tampa, where I pastor. They range from deep academic works to highly accessible introductions:
• N.T. Wright – Matthew for Everyone, Part 1: Chapters 1–15
(Fantastic for beginners. Wright writes like a teacher, not a scholar.)
• Leander Keck – The New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. 8 (Matthew–Mark)
(A great balance of depth and readability.)
• Jeannine K Brown – Two Horizons Commentary on Matthew
(Reading commentaries by women brings a wider perspective, and Dr. Brown has decades of teaching under her belt.)
• Craig Keener – The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Thorough, deeply contextual, a bit pricey but worth it.)
• Brian K. Blount – True to Our Native Land: An African American New Testament Commentary
(Covers the whole NT from an African American perspective—short, rich insights.)
• Bruce Malina – Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels
(Fascinating cultural insights, though less theologically focused.)
• Donald A. Hagner – Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 33a, Matthew 1–13
(Scholarly but accessible—focus on intros and summaries.)
• Rodney Reeves – Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
(A personal favorite—clear, pastoral, and engaging. Rodney was also one of my professors.)
Let me know if you end up picking one up. I’d love to hear what you’re learning.
This was so helpful and informative! I’ve never used a commentary before. Would be curious to know how you’d suggest choosing commentaries for other parts of the Bible too? What criteria should someone use when looking for a commentary! Thanks as always.