The NIV Application Commentary on Matthew shows readers how this Gospel can have the same transformative force today as it did when it was first written.

There is no way to exaggerate the effect the Gospel of Matthew has had on the church through the ages, especially right after Jesus’ ascension. His constant citations of scripture were extremely valuable for Jewish readers, granting greater authority to the message of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. For Gentile audiences it served as a strikingly inclusive, redemptive invitation into the kingdom of God. Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection erased the traditional barriers between Jews and Gentiles: indeed, Matthew’s Gospel conveys God’s saving invitation to the whole world.

Matthew has a strong reputation. “The Gospel according to Matthew . . . was the most widely read and frequently used of any of the four Gospels in the formative years of the church,” writes author Michael J. Wilkins. Not only does he explore the reasons for this ancient appeal, but his perspectives on Matthew’s Gospel bring to light the continued relevance of this work over two-thousand years later.

Many Bible commentaries offer us an exciting tour through the ancient world of Biblical times. They give us cultural backdrop and add new, wonderful layers of meaning to familiar stories and passages. But when the time comes to return to normal, everyday life, we are left disconnected from the memories of our trip—without the knowledge of practical, real-life application. This is where the NIV Application Commentary series picks up the task. It merges the original, ancient context with right now, showing us both how ancient readers would have read the Bible and how we can connect to this living word of God from a modern context. Most importantly, however, it helps us begin the life-changing process of true application, showing how God’s word can continue to have a powerful voice in our lives today.

The NIV Application Commentary uses a highly accessible, three-tiered method of bringing readers to a fuller understanding of each Biblical book. Original Meaning will explore a book’s meaning in light of its historical and cultural context. Bridging Contexts, as its name implies, will help the reader link the text’s original meaning to its Contemporary Significance—the final tier that helps you apply the Bible to everyday life.

“This series promises to become an indispensable tool for every pastor and teacher who seeks to make the Bible's timeless message speak to this generation.”

-Billy Graham

“It takes more than interpretation of God's Word to change lives, it takes application.

Application is the bottom line in preaching and teaching. Without it, we've missed the point of the Bible. The NIV Application Commentary is an outstanding resource for pastors and anyone else who is serious about developing ‘doers of the Word.’”

-Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Valley Community Church