Ideal Disciples

This is a unique book, devoted to the beatitudes, situated in the gospel of Matthew and the Jewish literary traditions in which this gospel emerged. The result is a commentary that is both exegetically insightful and spiritually impactful. In Ideal Disciples, Daniel Daley fluently maintains the sophistication of high-quality academic erudition while demonstrating how the virtues of informed, judicious scholarship coupled with patient, methodical exegesis yield profound and vibrant spiritual edification.

~Daniel M. Gurtner, Professor of New Testament, Gateway Seminary

Daniel Daley’s scholarly and accessible commentary offers a thorough and judicious review of previous scholarship on the beatitudes, and brings several new pieces of evidence into the discussion, notably 4QInstruction and 1 Enoch. Like the scribe trained for the kingdom of Matthew 13:52, Daley brings forth treasures both old and new, revealing multiple facets of these teachings on ideal discipleship for human flourishing.

~Mary Ann Beavis, Professor Emerita, Religion and Culture, St. Thomas More College

With conductor’s baton in hand, Daniel Daley produces his own concerto, choosing as soloist the Matthean beatitudes accompanied by an orchestra of early Jewish literature. This is an exciting and engaging new treatment of the beatitudes that innovates by bringing in textual traditions, especially 4QInstruction and Enochic literature, that have not featured in previous studies. The result is a book bursting with insights expressed with finesse. Anyone interested in the Jewishness of Matthew’s Gospel needs to read Daley’s book.

~Benjamin Wold, Associate Professor of Ancient Judaism & Christianity, Trinity College Dublin

With  Ideal Disciples, Daniel Daley provides a learned and accessible commentary on the beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew. In conversation with current scholarship and an ecumenical range of authors, Daley admirably explores the various relationships that the beatitudes have with the Scriptures and traditions of Israel, the contents of Matthew’s Gospel, and the Christian life. His exposition is intellectually and spiritually rewarding.

~William M. Wright IV, Professor of Catholic Studies and Theology, Duquesne University