"...throughout Nicholls entertains the readers with insights and interesting thoughts as well as with a fresh and thought-provoking way of looking at an all too familiar text." – Roland Deines, University of Nottingham, in: Expository Times, May 2009
"This cogent and fascinating book enriches our understanding of Matt. 14:22-33, while cautiously exploring Wirkungsgeschichte as a research procedure for biblical studies. Chapter 4 and 5 are particularly valuable, as they illustrate the scope of “effects” by showing how a biblical text may trigger serious theological debates and inspire captivating artworks. They also provide two models of study, looking at clusters of meaning in a particular period of time and in a particular medium so that proper contexts may be considered. Offering persuasive arguments on thorny hermeneutical issues with balanced judgments and vivid images, Nicholls has made a credible and strong case for Wirkungsgeschichte." – John Y.H. Yieh, in: Biblical Interpretation, 2010