John- Moody Gospel Commentary

I like the format of this commentary very much. It seems to have just the right balance of technical information and spiritual insight. While it comments on each and every verse, it is not written for heavy-duty scholars. Written in a easy-to-read style, it clues you into the history and culture that were unique to each situation, and the thought process that was taking place in the minds of the participants in the accounts. It gives you a lot of information that you will simply not get from the gospel account alone, but that is essential to arrive a more informed understanding of the text. One of the main premises of this commentary is the notion that there is progression of belief. The author does a good job in demonstrating this while at the same time maintaining the continuity of interpretation and focus on each passage. The book also provides a detailed outline of each chapter and homiletical suggestions to aid those who teach or preach. The author is also conscious to convey practical application so as not to let the book become just an intellectual exercise. This is a good reference for the layman who may need just a little bit more technical information than a strictly inspirational commentary will give him, but who also does not need the frustration of trying to decipher the exegetical tangents of some theological giant.