Acts

“Darrell Bock’s long-anticipated sequel to his fine and detailed work on the Gospel of Luke is now available—a 760-page commentary on the Acts of the Apostles. Writing in a clear and engaging manner that most anyone can grasp, yet without skimping on interaction with scholarly discussion, Bock manages to critically analyze the huge corpus of literature on Acts with grace and finesse and to make his own contributions along the way. This commentary will serve us well for many years to come. Bock is back, and better than ever.”

“This commentary on Acts is a worthy complement to Darrell Bock’s fine commentary on Luke’s Gospel. While the text is unfailingly traditional in its interests and scope, Bock remains in touch with today’s church by seeking to facilitate a robust conversation between Acts and contemporary readers. I especially appreciate his attention to the theological cast of Acts, rightly identifying God as the story’s central character and the text’s most essential referent. Judicious, learned, reverent, as clearly written as it is clearheaded in exegetical decisions, Bock’s commentary makes a fine contribution to Acts criticism. I recommend its use for the seminary classroom and the pastor’s study.”

“Acts provides an enormous challenge to commentators, and we must be thankful to Darrell Bock for this fine, accessible commentary on the book. Bock convincingly maintains that Acts is a book focused on God and what God is doing, rather than a merely human-focused view, and repeatedly shows how the story of Acts is a story of God’s actions to save and redeem people. He is particularly strong in giving careful attention to the exegetical payoff of the meanings of words and syntax. He provides judicious and accurate summaries of a wide range of scholarly viewpoints in English, French, and German—particularly valuable for those who read only English—and good critical engagement with these views. The commentary is well organized, and it is easy to navigate to a particular section or point of discussion. It will be of great value to pastors as well as students and their professors.”

“Bock has written a superb commentary on this pivotal New Testament document. He has mastered the narrative of Acts as well as contemporary scholarship, and he has done so in a manner that is eminently accessible to the pastor and serious nonspecialist. He draws on the disciplines of theology, history, and sociology to bring the text to life for those who wish to study the second volume in Luke’s story of the three earliest decades of the Christian movement. I recommend this book with enthusiasm.”