Matthew Henry Bible Commentary 5.3

The Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible, first published in 1706, is a six-volume work that offers a comprehensive analysis of every verse in the Bible. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential commentaries of all time.

Matthew Henry's renowned Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, also known as the Complete Commentary, provides a verse-by-verse study of the Bible. This extensive work covers the entire Old Testament, as well as the Gospels and Acts in the New Testament. Following Henry's death, it was completed by thirteen other nonconformist ministers, based on notes taken by Henry's listeners and edited by George Burder and John Hughes in 1811.

Henry's commentaries primarily focus on exegesis, offering explanations of the scripture text for practical and devotional purposes. While it is not a work of textual research, Henry recommends Matthew Poole's Synopsis Criticorum for that purpose. Instead, his Exposition presents both a critical analysis based on the original texts of his time and practical applications for readers. Known for its sensible and elegant style, this commentary has been cherished as a guide for devotion.

Many influential evangelical Protestant preachers, including George Whitefield and Charles Spurgeon, have used and highly recommended Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible. Whitefield even read it four times, with his final reading done on his knees. Spurgeon emphasized that every minister should read it carefully at least once.

Matthew Henry's reputation rests on his celebrated commentary, An Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, which is also known as Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible. Although Henry himself only completed it up to the end of Acts before his death, other like-minded authors continued to prepare the remaining sections from his manuscripts. Widely acknowledged as the best English commentary for devotional purposes, the expanded edition was initially published in 1896. Rather than providing critical exposition, Henry's focus is on providing practical suggestions, resulting in a commentary filled with profound truths.