Here's a different approach. What are your big 5 commentaries on the four Gospels and Acts? I want your #1 commentary for each book: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts. That will be a total of 5 books. If you could only have one on each book, which would it be? What's the first one a seminary student should have on his shelf? Go!
1.)Matthew - D.A. Carson
2.)Mark - William Lane
3.)Luke - Darrel Bock
4.)John - Leon Morris
5.)Acts - F.F. Bruce
Posted by: Aaron | 06/09/2008 at 07:20 AM
Stott's Acts Commentary is a bit more pastoral than exegetical but great none the less.
Posted by: sdesocio | 06/09/2008 at 07:51 AM
Matthew: Allison & Davies (if this is too intimadating, then France's new one is next)
Mark: France
Luke: Bock
John: Carson
Acts: Bock (Witherington a close second)
Posted by: Nick | 06/09/2008 at 08:41 AM
1)Matthew- Dale Bruner (2 vols)
2)Mark- France
3)Luke- Bock
4)John- Carson
5)Acts- Fitzmyer (though I find Witherington very helpful)
Posted by: Brian Brown | 06/09/2008 at 09:34 AM
1. Matthew: Carson (EBC)
(Cheat) Sermon on the Mount: Stott (BST)
(Cheat) Beatitudes: Johnson When Grace Transforms
(Cheat) Lord's Prayer: Johnson When Grace Comes Alive
2. Mark: William Lane (NICNT)
3. Luke: Stein (NAC)
4. John: Carson (Pillar)
5. Acts: Stott's (BST) is tremendous
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 06/09/2008 at 11:00 AM
1. Matthew: Turner (BECNT)
2. Mark: Edwards (PNTC)
3. Luke: Bock (BECNT)
4. John: Carson (PNTC)
5. Acts: Bock (BECNT)
Posted by: ryan | 06/09/2008 at 11:19 AM
For actually preachign rather than just writing papers:
Matthew- Carson
Mark- Garland (NIVAC)
Luke- Bock
John- Carson
Acts- Stott is excellent as always, and Bock probably really good but i have not been able to work with his yet
Posted by: Ray Van Neste | 06/09/2008 at 11:21 AM
For the gospels, I like Mark Moore's 2-Volume "Chronological Life of Christ", it follows Thomas & Gundry's Harmony. Lots of good material for both "papers and preaching."
Posted by: Billy Johnson | 06/09/2008 at 03:41 PM
Matthew - Carson is great, but Craig Blomberg is a close second. R. T. France is probably also great (as he is on Mark, which I'm working through), but I've not read it yet.
Mark - I think France is the best for exegesis, while Edwards (Pillar) and Garland (NIVAC) are better for preaching.
Luke - Bock, maybe I. Howard Marshall?
John - Carson, Kostenburger
Acts - Bock, Stott for preaching
Posted by: Brian G. Hedges | 06/09/2008 at 07:15 PM
I agree with most of the above recommendations. I would add Keener on John and Matthew. Carson and Keener were my main resources when I taught through John. Great stuff.
Posted by: claytonius | 06/09/2008 at 07:52 PM
I'm no theologian, but I sure like Dale Bruner's Matthew set. I suppose it helps that I've heard him teach.
Posted by: Mark Goodyear | 06/10/2008 at 04:49 PM
Lots of great choices, but mine would be...
Matthew - Morris
Mark - Lane
Luke - Bock
John - Carson
Acts - Bruce
Posted by: Marty Jones | 06/10/2008 at 10:45 PM
Matthew: Bruner's Christbook/Churchbook
Mark: Lane
Luke: Joel B. Green (newer NICNT. I'm preaching through Luke right now and finding this commentary to be excellent. I've also got Bock, Marshall and Fitzmyer. There is a lot of repetition in the others. Green is usually fresh, doesn't repeat what the others have done. Very fresh.)
John: Raymond Brown (Anchor)
Acts: Bruce
Posted by: Paul VanderKlay | 06/11/2008 at 11:05 PM
PS: Gotta mention Kenneth Bailey. Not really commentaries but his work on Lukan parables is so wonderful. "Poet&Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes" and then his latest book on Luke 15 as if he could say more. Terrific stuff.
Posted by: Paul VanderKlay | 06/11/2008 at 11:08 PM
Matthew - Carson
Mark - France
Luke - Bock
John - Carson
Acts - Marshall
Posted by: Ben C | 06/13/2008 at 11:06 AM