Luke for Everyone

I am loving the "For Everyone" series--great, useful translations with brief, illuminating and understandable commentary. Wright's ability to combine a (relevant!) short illustration or story and still make meaningful points about the text's meaning and application in our lives all in the course of a few pages is remarkable. Bishop Wright's work is truly a blessing to the church. What especially impressed me about the Luke volume is the way that he illustrated the overarching story--of Jesus going to Jerusalem to enact a New Exodus-- and how he observed structural elements that underline and emphasize the substance of the narrative (like comparing the "bookends" of Jesus ministry--the story of Joseph and Mary walking back from Jerusalem when Jesus was 12, looking for him while he was about his father's business in the temple, to the walk to Emmaus---where people were also wondering what happened to Jesus, when in fact he was about his father's business). So often criticism that looks at the structure of a book feels like a dissection--leaving only a corpse. Interesting perhaps, but lifeless. Here Wright's comments give the book greater and deeper meaning from observing the structure of the book--it is more alive and more impactful, not less. This book is readily accessible to anyone reading Luke, and offers profound insights into Jesus' life, ministry, self-knowledge, the early church, and how we should respond today. Really great.

This study book is being used by a group of women who meet every Monday morning to study the Bible and we are happy with this choice. The author, Bishop Tom Wright has an easy approach to the Gospel of St. Luke, and his commentary is written in what I would call every-day English. The chapters of Luke are broken down into sensible segments followed by Bishop Wright's commentary which generates good discussion. The glossary in the back is also useful. We are looking forward to the Acts for Everyone which I believe is not in print yet. Mary W.Hughes

I cannot say enough good things about Wright's ability to write simply, with no big words, yet maintain deep theological and historical insight into the Scripture. His interpretations and ability to follow through with the gospel's on thought are unmatched in scholarship. Every book in this series has Tom Wright's translations (of a periscope or small section of text, followed by a quick story or anecdote, followed by the Wright interpretation. It is easy to read and enjoyable. There is much to be said about this particular book, but the best parts were his treatment of some of the hard to understand parables of Jesus such as the prodigal son, the wicked tenants, and the rich man and Lazarus. His thoughts here (and in all the synoptics) on Jesus and the son of man sayings reflecting back on Daniel 7 are insightful. He makes good sense of the "keep watch and be alert" sayings. His treatment of the Emmaus road story is also right on point. He relates the opening of the eyes of Cleopas and his companion as Jesus broke bread and gave thanks with the opening of the eyes of Adam and Eve when they realized they were naked after sharing the forbidden fruit. Wright points out that Jeus has redeemed us from the curse that came through the first shared meal of Genesis and brought sin and death into the world. This commentary is full of unique insights such as this and so I highly recommend for everyone to read.

NT Wright is a scholarly academic and a highly relevant one at that. So it is a treat when he puts on his devotional hat and uses his more informal name of Tom Wright to write Luke for Everyone, he brings deep insight to wherever the gospel story takes you that day in a way that you feel you can appropriate it into your life. You can readily feel the tensions between the agenda of the Jewish leaders to bring about God's kingdom through strict observance and battle and of Jesus who seeks to bring about God's kingdom through repentance even rebelling against Roman rule. You can feel the pressure rising. Too often a devotional is thin on depth or a bit sappy, but Wright's book has meat that is cut into bite sized pieces. He continues his mission to go beyond the frequent stance of many who feel they know all there is to know about Jesus and have lost the ability to stay alert in their life and miss the many deep and enriching truths that Jesus brings to us.

As an admirer of Mr. Wright's more academic writings, it is hard for me to believe that he is also so good at devotional writing. This volume, like the rest in the series, contains a frsh new translation from the Greek, along with a short (3-4 page) devotional with each section. The translations seem very good to me in terms of putting the author's meaning across in contemporary English. He does take some liberties, preferring to get the general sense/feeling of the text right rather than necessarily sticking with strict word order and close translation (like the NASB does). To make up for this the comments on the sections often highlight some of the translation issues.I found not only the translations, but also the devotionals quite inspiring. Wright's church leadership background shows to good effect throughout. I'd love to read it again soon to let some of his insights soak in a bit more.