The Explanation by Blessed Theophylact of the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew

By: C. Stade

Narrated by: Nathan Williams

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

This classic Eastern Orthodox commentary on the Gospel of Matthew was written in about the year 1100 A.D. by Theophylact of Bulgaria, a brilliant and saintly Byzantine churchman. Blessed Theophylact distills the teaching of the early Church Fathers, especially St. John Chrysostom, in language that is profound, powerful, and direct. His commentary has remained a primary text on New Testament interpretation throughout the Christian East. Translated from the original Greek text.

©1992 Chrysostom Press (P)2014 Nathan K. Williams

There you have it, a thousand years new

Concise and terse sentences, absolute authority and persuasiveness. It says so much with so little- a stark contrast to mainline protestant commentaries which say so little with so unnecessarily much.
I resisted this recording for a long time-indeed what could it have to offer being written so long ago while there are an abundance of Gospel commentaries available? Well, apparently almost every single theological question I formulated during bible study classes and sunday liturgies are answered here. To say something is as relevant today as it was a thousand years ago is a cliche, but in this case it is true. The narrator does an excellent job with his calm seemingly monotonous reading, a book like this has a kind of sanctity that any kind of emotional reading would ruin.

Brilliant, except...

It actually appears to accuse the Mother of God of vain glory in the passage where the Mother and step brothers of Jesus send Him a message that they wish to speak to Him! I hope I am completely wrong, please correct me if I am. Truly I have no wish to be right about such a thing. The narrator did excellent work

One of my most valued books!

I loved this commentary by Blessed Theophylact on the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew. I listened to it while I worked in my yard; it made the time go by so quickly! I found Blessed Theophylact to be very insightful. This is a must have for anyone who considers the Gospels to be more valuable than silver or gold. I would love to acquire his commentaries on the other Gospels.

Excellent. Enriching. Nourishing.

I was very blessed by this book. Certainly one to listen to multiple times. Glory to Jesus Christ.

Proper spiritual food

A sober reading by a Deacon of the Orthodox Church. The text is one of those gold nuggets of wisdom and enlightens the sometimes esoteric text of the Holy Gospel.

A wonderful listen!

Enriching substance and quality production/narration. Hoping there will be more! Thank you Fr. Nathan.

Outstanding

Perfect depth, clear reading, edifying and soul Lifting. I look forward to more from this publisher

Blessed…

I listen to this very special commentary over and over again. A depth of wisdom from the 11th Century.

Well done.

Explanations shed a lot of light, insight, context, and perspective.

Please record other patristic works.

Thank you.

Interesting but very anti-semitic

An ancient commentary with interpretations that I don't remember ever hearing before. I found them interesting. He has "spiritual" interpretations of everything and no literal understandings. He seems to be unaware of the 1st century context of the New Testament. His interpretations are frequently anti-semitic and very much from replacement theology. I like learning about different ideas and can learn from them even if I disagree with parts of it. Definitely worth the time. Understanding the thought process of his era helps to see how we got to where we are today.

Sober, succinct, deeply spiritual, highly Orthodox

Absolute gold. Any Orthodox will need no encouragement to read this. A holy church father will not be critiqued by me! But this is well delivered and is read with care, gravity, clarity...and it works for audible! It will lead you into prayer, please God.