D.A. Carson chose to explore this section in great detail as well, devoting over 200 pages to Jesus' Farewell discourse in his new book The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus (Baker, 2018). Carson's exposition focuses on chapters 14 to 17, though in the prologue, he starts with chapter 13.
As I began reading the prologue, I was immediately drawn in to Carson's wording. I felt a kindred spirit as he envisioned the upper room as I have so often done. He effectively places the reader right there in the midst of the thirteen men. I was hoping for that sort of magic (forgive me, that seems to be the best-fitting word) throughout the remainder of the book. It was there, but less present.
Carson is undoubtedly a master exegete. His capacity to examine a text and help us to see what is actually being communicated is remarkable. In this book, he identifies details and themes that most people, perhaps even those with theological training, might miss. He explores Christ in community--with his disciples, and with the rest of the Trinity.
On the whole, a person interested in developing a much deeper understanding of the farewell discourse could do worse than Carson. My criticisms are few and perhaps idiosyncratic. As I mentioned above, I wish the imagery presented in the prologue would have persisted with greater consistency, though that likely would have changed the nature of the book. Second, Carson's vocabulary may make this book inaccessible to many readers, unless they are willing to read with a dictionary at hand. Come to think of it, that is probably a wise practice to consider.
I received a review copy of this book from Baker Books in exchange for my review. The viewpoints presented above are my own.
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