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The Acts of the Apostles: A Newly Discovered Commentary
InterVarsity Press is proud to present The Lightfoot Legacy, a three-volume set of previously unpublished material from J. B. Lightfoot, one of the great biblical scholars of the modern era. In the spring of 2013, Ben Witherington III discovered hundreds of pages of biblical commentary by Lightfoot in the cathedral library of Durham University. While incomplete, these commentaries represent a goldmine for historians and biblical scholars, as well as for the many people who have found Lightfoot's work both informative and edifying, deeply learned and pastorally sensitive. Among those many pages were two sets of lecture notes on the Acts of the Apostles. Together they amount to a richly detailed, albeit unfinished, commentary on Acts 1-21. The project of writing a commentary on Acts had long been on Lightfoot's mind, and in the 1880s he wrote an article about the book for the second British edition of William smith's Dictionary of the Bible. Thankfully, that is not all he left behind. Salvaged from the dustbin of history, these commentary notes reveal a scholar well ahead of his time, one of the great minds of his or any generation. Well over a century later, The Acts of the Apostles remains a relevant and significant resource for the church today.
407 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 2014
About the author
J.B. Lightfoot
129 books6 followersThe Right Reverend Joseph Barber Lightfoot, D.D. (Trinity College, Cambridge University, 1864; M.A., Cambridge, 1854; B.A., Cambridge, 1851) was an Anglican theologian who was ordinaed priest in 1858. He served as Hulsean Professor of Divinity at Cambridge, 1861–75, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity 1875–79, and was consecrated Bishop of Durham by William Thomson, Archbishop of York, entering the House of Lords ex officio in 1879.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 14, 2014
We have a potpourri of good things here. There is the commentary itself, an interesting story of how it was found after so long, and insight into J. B. Lightfoot the prodigious scholar.
Many of us have had Lightfoot’s commentaries on our shelves for years. I thought I had all of them. I did have all that was in print. Then Ben Witherington, a modern scholar and Lightfoot admirer, went digging around the dusty corners of the Durham Cathedral Library and found unpublished commentary material. Here we have Acts 1-21 and volumes on John and II Corinthians/ I Peter are forthcoming. The story, with accompanying photos, was fascinating. It is surprising to have a new volume by a guy who died in 1889.
The commentary is of his high standards. If you are like me, you will need an interlinear handy because the Greek is untranslated. I am glad to have this commentary.
The biographical sketch and the homage at the end give us a intimate view of the famous scholar. He never married and had an incredible output of work. He spoke several languages fluently. He had encyclopedic knowledge of Greek–Classical, Koine, and the Greek of the Fathers. I might not agree with all his doctrinal views, and I certainly do not agree with him on which underlying texts are best, but when he speaks on language I him him worthy of my attention. I will never have his language gift, but I am glad I can glean from his.
The Appendixes have more goodies including an article on Acts in Smith’s Dictionary of the Bible. My edition of that dictionary did not have his article, so I was glad to see it.
Thanks IVP for printing this unique work. I recommend it.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Many of us have had Lightfoot’s commentaries on our shelves for years. I thought I had all of them. I did have all that was in print. Then Ben Witherington, a modern scholar and Lightfoot admirer, went digging around the dusty corners of the Durham Cathedral Library and found unpublished commentary material. Here we have Acts 1-21 and volumes on John and II Corinthians/ I Peter are forthcoming. The story, with accompanying photos, was fascinating. It is surprising to have a new volume by a guy who died in 1889.
The commentary is of his high standards. If you are like me, you will need an interlinear handy because the Greek is untranslated. I am glad to have this commentary.
The biographical sketch and the homage at the end give us a intimate view of the famous scholar. He never married and had an incredible output of work. He spoke several languages fluently. He had encyclopedic knowledge of Greek–Classical, Koine, and the Greek of the Fathers. I might not agree with all his doctrinal views, and I certainly do not agree with him on which underlying texts are best, but when he speaks on language I him him worthy of my attention. I will never have his language gift, but I am glad I can glean from his.
The Appendixes have more goodies including an article on Acts in Smith’s Dictionary of the Bible. My edition of that dictionary did not have his article, so I was glad to see it.
Thanks IVP for printing this unique work. I recommend it.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
October 7, 2017
J. B. Lightfoot was one of the greatest Greek critical expositors to have ever lived. He and his legacy are respected by those in the conservative Camp as well those in the liberal camp. His commentaries which usual and somewhere in the middle are saw out by all scholarly students of the Bible.
While Lightfoot has been dead for many years his commentaries have still become a Bastion for many pastors to flee to. It is fortunate for us then that several of his unfinished commentaries have been recently discovered. One of these recently discovered commentaries is that of the work, the Acts of the fossils. In this recent publication of a previously unpublished work Lightfoot, with the aid of editors Ben Worthington III and Todd D still, expanded this new testament book with fervor that has been yet unseen today.
It has been stated that this work is unfinished yet even in its unfinished manuscript this commentary give superb Greek exegesis while aiding in exposition. I recommend this commentary to any and all pastors who seek to exposito the scriptures in a way they had previously been unable to do.
This work is just the first volume in The Lightfoot Legacy set which encompasses three volumes dedicated to for previously unpublished and unfinished commentaries of this legendary exegete.
This book was provided to me free of charge from IVP Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
While Lightfoot has been dead for many years his commentaries have still become a Bastion for many pastors to flee to. It is fortunate for us then that several of his unfinished commentaries have been recently discovered. One of these recently discovered commentaries is that of the work, the Acts of the fossils. In this recent publication of a previously unpublished work Lightfoot, with the aid of editors Ben Worthington III and Todd D still, expanded this new testament book with fervor that has been yet unseen today.
It has been stated that this work is unfinished yet even in its unfinished manuscript this commentary give superb Greek exegesis while aiding in exposition. I recommend this commentary to any and all pastors who seek to exposito the scriptures in a way they had previously been unable to do.
This work is just the first volume in The Lightfoot Legacy set which encompasses three volumes dedicated to for previously unpublished and unfinished commentaries of this legendary exegete.
This book was provided to me free of charge from IVP Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
October 26, 2015
The discovery of new manuscripts from a well-known author is certain to perk the interest of any historical enthusiasts. The excitement quickly builds and the mystery continues to linger. This was the landscape of biblical scholarship in 2013 when news broke surrounding the discovery of previously unpublished J. B. Lightfoot manuscripts—several hundred pages of unpublished biblical commentary tucked away gathering dust in the Durham Cathedral Library. Pages upon pages of biblical exposition and exegetical studies on the Gospel of John, Acts, 2 Corinthians, and 1 Peter, written by one of nineteenth centuries most influential biblical scholars. It was exciting news for Lightfoot fans everywhere. Now, thanks to the effort of Ben Witherington III, Todd D. Still, Jeanette M. Hagen, and the entire team at IVP Academic, the world of biblical studies is able to once again sink fresh teeth into the judicious exegesis of Joseph Barber Lightfoot.
The Lightfoot Legacy Set is the outpouring of the publication of these previously unpublished Lightfoot discoveries in Durham. There are three volumes projected to release by 2016. At this present time the team has completed one volume, the present volume under review, The Acts of the Apostles: A Newly Discovered Commentary, with the Gospel of John docked for a December 2015 release. These are exciting times for both Lightfoot fans and biblical studies enthusiasts alike, and with the release of this first volume the future looks very bright.
The commentary opens with a fascinating firsthand account of the discovery of the manuscripts. The reader will find this brief section to be an enticing transition into the series as Ben Witherington III conveys the process with which the discovery occurred, including several photographs of the discovery itself. For the reader who may be somewhat unfamiliar with Lightfoot, the Editor’s Introduction provides a concise look into the person and work of J. B. Lightfoot as a Biblical Commentator. This is a great introduction for those faintly familiar with Lightfoot and a true highpoint to the commentary. The content of the commentary itself runs from Acts 1:1-21:39 and includes approximately twelve excursus sections and four additional articles in the appendix. Despite the fact that Lightfoot never completed the commentary, as reflected in the lack of the remaining verses of the book, the content included in this book is highly useful even by today’s standards.
Lightfoot was a master of numerous ancient and modern languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Classical Greek, Koine Greek, and the Greek of the Church Fathers) and this expertise is evident throughout the pages of this commentary. For the reader trained in the biblical languages, Lightfoot’s proficiency will encourage further mastery and devotion to the understanding the Scriptures. For the reader not trained in the biblical languages, the frequent use of Greek may be a bit overwhelming at first. But this should not persuade the novice reader away from The Acts of the Apostles. There is certainly still much to be gleaned from this work and there are a number of highpoints that the intimidated reader would, unfortunately, forgo having passed on the opportunity to sit alongside a man of Lightfoot’s stature. Personally, among other things, I found Lightfoot’s discussion on the textual basis for Acts interesting and his interaction with the account of Stephen’s speech and martyrdom (Acts 7) was nothing short of superb. Sure disagreements may arise here and there, but the engagement that Lightfoot provides in The Acts of the Apostles: A Newly Discovered Commentary is an opportunity only the naivest of readers are willing to dismiss.
The Acts of the Apostles: A Newly Discovered Commentary is an exciting window into the mind of one of the most brilliant Biblical Commentators of the past centuries. Readers of all backgrounds will benefit greatly from the wisdom and judicious exegetical care of J. B. Lightfoot. This was true for his previously published work, and evidently, it remains true for these newly discovered ones as well. I appreciate and commend the work of IVP Academic in assuming the task of publishing and producing these manuscripts, as well as Ben Witherington III, Todd D. Still, and Jeanette M. Hagen for the tedious work that takes place behind the scene in making a project like this possible. Your labor has truly become our reward.
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for and honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
The Lightfoot Legacy Set is the outpouring of the publication of these previously unpublished Lightfoot discoveries in Durham. There are three volumes projected to release by 2016. At this present time the team has completed one volume, the present volume under review, The Acts of the Apostles: A Newly Discovered Commentary, with the Gospel of John docked for a December 2015 release. These are exciting times for both Lightfoot fans and biblical studies enthusiasts alike, and with the release of this first volume the future looks very bright.
The commentary opens with a fascinating firsthand account of the discovery of the manuscripts. The reader will find this brief section to be an enticing transition into the series as Ben Witherington III conveys the process with which the discovery occurred, including several photographs of the discovery itself. For the reader who may be somewhat unfamiliar with Lightfoot, the Editor’s Introduction provides a concise look into the person and work of J. B. Lightfoot as a Biblical Commentator. This is a great introduction for those faintly familiar with Lightfoot and a true highpoint to the commentary. The content of the commentary itself runs from Acts 1:1-21:39 and includes approximately twelve excursus sections and four additional articles in the appendix. Despite the fact that Lightfoot never completed the commentary, as reflected in the lack of the remaining verses of the book, the content included in this book is highly useful even by today’s standards.
Lightfoot was a master of numerous ancient and modern languages (German, French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Classical Greek, Koine Greek, and the Greek of the Church Fathers) and this expertise is evident throughout the pages of this commentary. For the reader trained in the biblical languages, Lightfoot’s proficiency will encourage further mastery and devotion to the understanding the Scriptures. For the reader not trained in the biblical languages, the frequent use of Greek may be a bit overwhelming at first. But this should not persuade the novice reader away from The Acts of the Apostles. There is certainly still much to be gleaned from this work and there are a number of highpoints that the intimidated reader would, unfortunately, forgo having passed on the opportunity to sit alongside a man of Lightfoot’s stature. Personally, among other things, I found Lightfoot’s discussion on the textual basis for Acts interesting and his interaction with the account of Stephen’s speech and martyrdom (Acts 7) was nothing short of superb. Sure disagreements may arise here and there, but the engagement that Lightfoot provides in The Acts of the Apostles: A Newly Discovered Commentary is an opportunity only the naivest of readers are willing to dismiss.
The Acts of the Apostles: A Newly Discovered Commentary is an exciting window into the mind of one of the most brilliant Biblical Commentators of the past centuries. Readers of all backgrounds will benefit greatly from the wisdom and judicious exegetical care of J. B. Lightfoot. This was true for his previously published work, and evidently, it remains true for these newly discovered ones as well. I appreciate and commend the work of IVP Academic in assuming the task of publishing and producing these manuscripts, as well as Ben Witherington III, Todd D. Still, and Jeanette M. Hagen for the tedious work that takes place behind the scene in making a project like this possible. Your labor has truly become our reward.
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for and honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews