Journal for the Study of

the New Testament

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HAGNER, D.A., Matthew 1-13 (WBC, 33A: Dallas: Word

Books, 1993), pp. vii + 407. $24.99. ISBN 0-8499-0232-0
Journal for the Study of the New Testament 1995; 17; 121
DOI: 10.1177/0142064X9501705706
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1995 SAGE Publications. All rights reserved. Not for commercial use or
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BOOKLIST

HAGNER, D.A., Matthew 1-13 (WBC, 33A: Dallas: Word Books, 1993), pp. vii +
407. $24.99. ISBN 0-8499-0232-0.
While admitting the obvious benefits of the new literary criticism at the outset and
at times employing the methods within his text, Hagner remains convinced that the
best approach to an ancient text is the historical-critical approach. He proposes first to
discover what the text meant in its original setting. This first volume on Matthew I-133
meets his criteria well. He recognizes that the term certainty has no place in the
terminology of historical reconstructions and offers instead findings that are in his
words probable.
This commentary has something for everyone. Of interest to the scholar are
Hagners text-critical notes, comprehensive bibliography at the beginning of each new
section, and his detailed analyses of each pericopes form, structure and setting. Of
special interest to the pastor or Bible-study leader is the section entitled explanation.
These succinct paragraphs take more of a hermeneutical approach, that is, they attempt
to explain what the text means for twentieth-century humankind.
This commentary is an enjoyable read, offering both illumination of Matthews
Gospel in its historical setting and fresh application of it for the contemporary church.
SAH

BRYAN, Christopher, A Preface to Mark: Notes on the Gospel in its Literary and
Cultural Settings (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993), pp. xi + 220. £25.00.
ISBN 0-19-508044-0.
The purpose of this book is to explore how Mark may have been understood in its
original setting. Closely related to this aim, according to Bryan, is the question of the
evangelists intent. The scope of enquiry is twofold. In the first part of the book
Bryan seeks to establish the genre of Mark which, he argues by means of comparison
with Graeco-Roman texts (primarily by Plutarch and Lucian), would have been

perceived as a Hellenistic Life by any averagely educated Graeco-Roman audience.

Bryan surveys eleven generic elements that would have been expected of a Hellenistic
Life and notices that Mark conforms exactly to eight of them. In the second part of
the book Bryan argues that Mark was intended to be heard, not read. Bryan supports
his claim by surveying several characteristics of oral composition, both past and
present, and by comparing them to Marks structure and style. The acoustic nature of
Mark is considered an essential element for a proper understanding of the narrative

Downloaded from http://jnt.sagepub.com by Andreas Gerstacker on November 23,

2007
1995 SAGE Publications. All rights reserved. Not for commercial use or
unauthorized distribution.