John Macarthur

John MacArthur (1939–2025) was an influential pastor, Bible teacher, author, and expositor known for his emphasis on careful, verse-by-verse study of Scripture. He served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, from 1969 until 2025 and was the featured teacher of the Grace to You media ministry. His books range from everyday Christian living to theology and pastoral ministry, and include the MacArthur Study Bible, the verse-by-verse MacArthur New Testament Commentary and the MacArthur Bible Study series for small groups. Looking for more? Browse our study Bibles or New Testament commentaries.

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Frequently asked questions

Who was John MacArthur?

John MacArthur was an American pastor, Bible teacher and author, known for preaching through the Bible verse by verse. He was pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, from 1969 until his death in 2025, aged 86. His teaching reached a worldwide audience through the Grace to You ministry, and he trained pastors through The Master’s University and The Master’s Seminary. His books have been translated into dozens of languages.

Which John MacArthur book should I read first?

Twelve Ordinary Men is a popular place to start. It looks at the lives of Jesus’ twelve disciples and how He shaped them, and it’s followed by Twelve Extraordinary Women and Twelve Unlikely Heroes. For his best-known theological work, read The Gospel According to Jesus. One Perfect Life tells the complete story of Jesus, drawing together all four Gospels.

What’s the difference between the MacArthur New Testament Commentary and the MacArthur Bible Study series?

The MacArthur New Testament Commentary is a set of detailed hardback commentaries that work through each New Testament book verse by verse, based on his preaching at Grace Community Church. It suits pastors, teachers and serious Bible students. The MacArthur Bible Study series is a set of shorter paperback study guides covering books of the Old and New Testaments, with questions for personal or small group study.

What is The Gospel According to Jesus about?

The Gospel According to Jesus, first published in 1988, examines what Jesus taught about salvation. MacArthur argues that saving faith includes repentance and following Jesus as Lord, not only believing facts about Him. This view is often called lordship salvation, and the book sparked wide discussion among evangelicals. It remains one of his most influential books.

Are John MacArthur’s books available in Spanish?

Yes. Koorong stocks Spanish editions of many of his books, including Doce Hombres Comunes (Twelve Ordinary Men), Esclavo (Slave) and Una Vida Perfecta (One Perfect Life). The Biblia de Estudio MacArthur is available in the Reina-Valera 1960 and NBLA translations, and there’s also the NBLA Biblia Devocional MacArthur.

John Macarthur

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