LUKE VOL 35A HB: Luke 1:1-9:20 Vol 35A (Word Biblical commentary) [Hardcover]

Part of the World Biblical Commentary, John Nolland's commentary on Luke 1-9:20 is a solid, straight-forward contribution to the field. The introduction covers the basics, concluding -- somewhat tentatively -- that Luke the companion of Paul is the author. Nolland more firmly concludes that Luke was written between the late sixties and late seventies. Though competent, the introduction is a more generalized treatment of the issues. If you are looking for in-depth discussions of authorship and dating, then another commentary (Ellis or Fitzmyer) would probably serve you better.

The section by section discussion of the text is the strength of this commentary. Each section is introduced with a helpfully extensive Bibliography unique to the topic at hand. Nolland then provides a translation of the text, followed by Form/Structure/Setting. The latter discusses the outline of the section, as well as issues like sources and purpose. This section is followed by the "Comment." A real strength, Nolland here moves through the section passage by passage with a consistent discussion of the Greek. The focus on the Greek should not be intimidating, because Nolland handles it clearly. Though some commentators neglect (or choose not) to provide the English translation of each specific Greek term, Nolland usually does, so the layperson can place the Greek in context as he reads through. Also, Nolland often relates it to usage elsewhere in the New Testament and sometimes beyond. All in all, the passage by passage exegesis and discussion is definitely above-average.

Nolland concludes each section with an Explanation which brings all of his points together.

Though not rich in "extras", this commentary is solid and a very helpful resource for studying the text of the Gospel of Luke.

The three volumes of the "Word Biblical Commentary" on the Gospel of Luke are by English Lecturer and `Course Leader' in Biblical Studies at Trinity College in Bristol, John Nolland. To the best of my knowledge, it is the largest by far of all the currently available commentaries on the third Gospel, outweighing even the large, authoritative two-volume classic by Joseph Fitzmyer.
Anyone who is familiar with any of the "Word Biblical Commentary" series, edited by Bruce Metzger and published by Nelson Reference & Electronic will be quite familiar with the layout of these volumes. You will also be well aware that this series even exceeds the characterization of `the Cadillac of commentaries'. Its scholarship is of such an industrial strength that I'm inclined to call it the `Hummer' of commentaries.
This does not mean this is the best commentary. It does not even mean it is the best commentary for most people. In a very real sense, this series, and this set within the series, is oriented almost entirely to the professional biblical scholar. It may not even be appropriate for pastors and for those who write Bible Study guides for lay readers, since there are so many other excellent commentaries on the market which are far more accessible.
The hallmark of this series is their excellent division of material into the following five sections for each pericope or paragraph in the Gospel.
1. Bibliography. This section is a testament to the great volume of work published on even the smallest parts of each Gospel. This can take multiple pages, and is often divided into several sections for each Gospel paragraph.
2. Original Translation plus Notes. I think this is essential, in that it gives one an alternative to the translation you hear from the lectern and in lay Bible study classes.
3. Form / Structure / Setting. Is this a narrative? Is the material original to Luke (as with the parable of the Good Samaritan)? Is it adapted from known sources, such as Mark?
4. Comment on the Verses. This and the next section are the two a pastoral user will be most interested. Here is where one gets the author's contribution to an hermeneutics of the text. This section is long, often with multiple paragraphs for each verse.
5. Explanation. A reflection on the overall passage, with the best assistance for the pastoral reader.
I am convinced that one cannot do really effective Bible study with a single commentary, even with one as large as this. There are some times when I have seen two commentaries give exactly the opposite interpretations of the same verse, as when in Chapter 4, Jesus reads from Isaiah, one commentator was sure He selected the verse himself while another was certain the verse was selected for him. The latter interpretation is more likely, but one would not have thought of it if you only read the first interpretation.
I am not a professional Biblical scholar. I am not yet even a good amateur Biblical scholar, and I often don't have time in the course of a week to plough through Nolland's three volumes to prepare for an adult Bible study lesson, when there are so many other excellent commentaries. And yet, I still keep Nolland close at hand, when none of the other commentaries can make sense of a passage. And, there are several such verses in Luke. With Nolland's Luke and with several other books in this series, it often provides the best answer to my puzzling over a passage. The readings are also some of the most conservative. Nolland and his co-writers on other NT books tend to be very conservative. You will find little or no speculation here. Even better, you will often find other authors called out for their more adventuresome speculations.
Of all the `big' commentaries, this is possibly the least theological and most bound with discussions of lexical and exegetical issues. If you want a good theological summary of Luke, go to Fitzmyer's introduction in volume 1 of his Anchor Bible set. If you want good reflections on individual passages, try Joel Green's `The Gospel of Luke'. These two may be the best pair. Unfortunately, Fitzmyer is very difficult to acquire, so Nolland makes an excellent exegetical companion to Green's hermeneutics.

This is a good solid commentary, though expensive (it's a three volume set). But Nolland has many good insights, and despite the all too brief introduction, it is a valuable addition to your library if you're studying the Gospel of Luke. My only other complaint is that the Explanation section merely repeats key sentences in the commentary section without giving any further practical wisdom.