Thomas Summers' Commentaries on Matthew, Mark, and Luke (3 vols.)

by Thomas O. Summers

Publishers:

A. H. Redford; M. E. Church; Southern Methodist Publishing House

, 1869–1872

Overview

These technical commentaries are not for Sunday school. Systematic theologian and liturgist Thomas O. Summers delivers verse-by-verse analysis on Matthew, Mark, and Luke, leading readers to draw their own theological interpretation. Written by one of the leading Methodist theologians (if not the leading Methodist theologian) of the nineteenth century, this commentary wastes no time explaining the historical and linguistic background of each phrase in each verse. Direct and somewhat lexical, the brevity of his sentences allow him to comment on almost every word of each verse—making the commentary notes almost three times longer than each Gospel commented on.

Key Features

• Provides numerous theological and thematic cross-references with commentary
• Examines each Bible verse with logical and linguistic textual exposition
• Demonstrates thorough research and experience in textual analysis and Jewish culture

Product Details

• Title: Thomas Summers’s Commentaries on Matthew, Mark, and Luke
• Author: Thomas O. Summers
• Publisher: Southern Methodist Publishing House
• Publication Date: 1869–1872
• Volumes: 3
• Pages: 957
• Christian Group: Methodist/Wesleyan
• Resource Type: Commentaries
• Topics: Matthew, Mark, and Luke

Commentary on the Gospels, vol. 1: Matthew

• Author: Thomas O. Summers
• Publisher: Southern Methodist Publishing House
• Publication Date: 1869
• Pages: 368

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In technical, verse-by-verse commentary, Summers explains the background, lingusitic, and logical connections in Matthew’s account. His commentary avoids theological interpretation, but doesn’ pretend to be unaware of theological implications of logical and linguistic meanings of each of Matthew’s phrases.

Commentary on the Gospels, vol. 2: Mark

• Author: Thomas O. Summers
• Publisher: Southern Methodist Publishing House
• Publication Date: 1872
• Pages: 214

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Mark’s account is short, but Summers’ commentary is not. Discussing each verse—in many cases, each word of each verse—Summers reveals the historical and traditional background behind the origin and meaning of Mark’s Gospel, leaving theological interpretation open for the reader.

Commentary on the Gospels, vol. 3: Luke

• Author: Thomas O. Summers
• Publisher: Southern Methodist Publishing House
• Publication Date: 1872
• Pages: 375

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The Gospel of Luke provides the longest account of Jesus’ infancy and birth, and devotes more focus to the women of Jesus’ ministry. Summers’ commentary on each verse presents only a technical exposition of the book, leaving theological interpretation available for the reader. Summers’ experience with translation issues, the origin of the Synoptics, and significant parallel passages in the LXX Old Testament and the rest of the New Testament demonstrate a high level of biblical study.

About Thomas O. Summers

Thomas Osmond Summers (1812–1882), born in England, emigrated to America and was admitted to the Baltimore, Maryland, Conference in 1835. He soon became one of the leading Methodist theologians in the nineteenth century. He worked as editor for the Christian Advocate, Methodist Quarterly Review, and the Sunday School Visitor, and served as an editor for the Methodist Episcopal Publishing House. In 1875, he became professor of systematic theology at Vanderbilt University. Summers was chairman of the Hymn Book Committee of the Methodist Episcopal Church and edited the Songs of Zion and the Wesleyan Psalter. He is the author of Baptism, Commentary on the Gospels, Commentary on the Ritual of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and Systematic Theology: A Complete Body of Wesleyan-Arminian Divinity.