Southwestern Journal of Theology (48.1)
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 48, No. 1 - Fall 2005
Editor: Paige Patterson
By Andreas J. Köstenberger. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004. 700 pages. Hardcover, $44.99.
Andreas Köstenberger, professor of New Testament and director of Ph.D. and Th.M. studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has written a number of significant works on the Gospel of John of various lengths. He therefore brings much previous reflection to the task of writing a significant commentary on John.
Köstenberger presents his commentary as one that examines John with respect to history, theology, and literary art (xi-xii). He finds much evidence in John in favor of its historical reliability and brings this out. Readers, especially conservative readers, will appreciate this attempt to hold together history and theology, while paying attention to helpful literary observations that have come to light and are coming to light through recent focus on the literary dimension of John. At the end of the day, it is Köstenberger’s attention to historical background and historical reliability that stands out. He defends the reliability of John at a time when this is not popular in the broader academy of biblical scholarship. Sometimes he does this by providing evidence that John could be correct in his knowledge about a place like Bethesda (177-78). Another way he does this is by providing evidence that John and the Synoptic Gospels agree about the day on which Jesus was crucified (537, 551). Helpful footnotes direct one to places where one could do further research on these points. The indexes are also quite thorough and helpful for locating information relevant to many topics of interest.
Given the multiple commentaries that are available, this commentary will be a valuable addition for those who care about historical reliability issues in John. It is also a welcome addition in the Evangelical tradition in that it makes reference to recent scholarship through a consistent use of substantive footnotes. It is more up-to-date in this respect than reliable Evangelical commentaries like those of D. A. Carson and Leon Morris. The judicious use of footnotes also means that this commentary is quite accessible for a variety of readers. Pastors and teachers will especially benefit from Köstenberger’s distillation in one place of much useful information that one can bring to bear on the interpretation and proclamation of the Gospel of John.
