New Testament Commentaries: Revelation

In this landmark commentary, Craig R. Koester offers a comprehensive look at a powerful and controversial early Christian text, the book of Revelation. Originally written for Christian communities in Asia Minor, Revelation depicts scenes of cosmic conflict in which God, the creator of the world, overcomes the forces of destruction and makes all things new. This often misunderstood portion of the New Testament repeatedly surprises readers by warning that judgment is imminent, only to interrupt the visions of terror with messages of hope and redemption. Koester provides richly textured descriptions of the book’s setting and language, making extensive use of Greek and Latin inscriptions, classical texts, and ancient Jewish writings, including the Dead Sea Scrolls. While Revelation has often been viewed as world-negating, this commentary focuses on its deep engagement with social, religious, and economic issues. It also addresses the book’s volatile history of interpretation and its cultural impact over the centuries. The result is a groundbreaking study that provides powerful insights and sets new directions for the continued appreciation of this visionary religious text.

Unfortunately there is no digitized version of the unabridged version of Beale's commentary.

"G. K. Beale’s monumental New International Greek Testament Commentary volume on Revelation has been highly praised since its publication in 1999. This shorter commentary distills the superb grammatical analysis and exegesis from that tome (over 1,300 pages) into a book more accessible and pertinent to preachers, students, and general Christian readers. As in the original commentary, Beale views Revelation as an integrated whole, as a conscious continuation of the Old Testament prophetic books, and shows that recognizing Revelation’s nearly constant use of Old Testament allusions is key to unlocking its meaning. Interspersed throughout the volume are more than sixty sets of “Suggestions for Reflection” to help readers better grasp the relevance of Revelation to their lives and our world today." - Eerdmans

"Peter Williamson's commentary on the book of Revelation is well balanced and judicious on issues of the book's authorship, date, composition, and structure, thus aiding readers in making well-informed decisions that draw on Williamson's familiarity with modern scholarship and the patristic discussions of Revelation. His explanations of the various images throughout Revelation, set within a clear, sensible presentation of the structure of the whole book, allow the pieces of the puzzle of this book to fall into place and enable the reader to better understand its first-century background and its vision of the final victory of God and his Church over Satan and his kingdom. Throughout the book, the author draws out the ongoing significance of Revelation for the life of the Church in every era between the time of its writing and its ultimate fulfillment. I highly commend this commentary." - Fr. Mitchell C. Pacwa, SJ

This is volume 1 of a 2 volume work. Volume 2 can be found HERE

This is one of the most influencial commentaries in biblical scholarship. This masterpiece, written nearly 100 years ago, is still referenced by nearly every modern commentary on Revelation. As would be expected, because the work is dated many of the arguments are no longer valid, however they are important to understand because modern scholars will normally point back to Charles and in their discussions on various aspects of the Book of Revelation.

This is Volume 1 of a 2 volume set. Volume 2 can be found HERE

"Revelation’s cryptic nature has ensured that it would always be a source of controversy. This commentary focuses on the theological content, gleaning the best from both the classical and modern commentary traditions and showing the doctrinal development of Scriptural truths. Scholarship on the book of Revelation has nonetheless not only endured, but even captured the imagination of generations of Bible students, both professionals and laypeople alike. Through its focus on the message of the book through scholarly analysis, this International Theological Commentary reconnects to the ecclesial tradition of biblical commentary as an effort in ressourcement, though not slavish repetition." - T&T Clark

"This book is the first of its kind: an innovative socio-rhetorical commentary on the Book of Revelation. Without sacrificing scholarly perspective or academic rigor, it is written to be accessible for a wide audience--including pastors, scholars, teachers, seminarians, and interested lay people. A "Suggested Reading List"--a feature of all volumes in the New Cambridge Bible Commentary--will serve as point of entry for the new serious student of Revelation and as a helpful annotated bibliography for all readers. Frequent "Closer-Look" sections examine key elements of the Roman-Greco world that bear on the text's meaning while "Bridging the Horizons" sub-chapters connect this world with the cultural, political, and religious environments of today. The entire NRSV translation is provided throughout the text as a convenience to the reader. Award-winning author Ben Witherington III brings a New Testament scholar's insight to the often opaque passages of the last book of the New Testament." - CUP

"When first published, this volume on Revelation by Robert H. Mounce was widely praised as a standard commentary on the Apocalypse. In this new edition, now based on the text of the NIV and Nestle-Aland, Mounce has revised and expanded his work to reflect more than twenty additional years of mature thought on Revelation and to bring his work up to date with the latest scholarship. As in the original edition, Mounce here engages seriously with the various approaches to interpretation and with the conventions common to apocalyptic literature. In affirming more directly his own reading of the Apocalypse, Mounce steers a middle course between an extreme literalism and a highly imaginative subjectivism, believing this to be the way the ancient text spoke to the first-century churches to whom it was addressed - and the way it still speaks to us today." -Eerdmans

"The book of Revelation is one of the most complicated in the New Testament. The book calls for a prophetic reaction to the world and uses some of the most violent language of the entire Bible. Brian Blount's commentary provides a sure and confident guide through these difficult and sometimes troubling passages, seeing Revelation as a prophetic intervention and at the same time an awe-inspiring swirl of frightening violence and breathtaking hope." - WJK Press

"Revelation claims to tell the story of 'what must soon take place', and yet, despite centuries of scholarly research, the order and content of this story has remained one of the greatest mysteries of all time. Arguing that Revelation was designed to be heard in six separate instalments, A.J.P. Garrow's innovative book suggests a new and orderly understanding of the structure of the story. This development makes possible a new and coherent interpretation of 'what must soon take place'. According to this study, John discerned a close connection between the present and the End. For today's readers, as for the members of the seven churches, this insight has profound implications for the way in which world events, weekly worship and everyday choices are perceived." - Routledge

This ground-breaking commentary on The Revelation to John (the Apocalypse) reveals its far-reaching influence on society and culture, and its impact on the church through the ages. This commentary explores the far-reaching influence of the Apocalypse on society and culture, shows the book's impact on the Christian church through the ages, looks at interpretations of the Apocalypse by theologians, ranging from Augustine to late twentieth century liberation theologians, considers the book's effects on writers, artists, musicians, political figures, visionaries, and others, including Dante, Hildegard of Bingen, Milton, Newton, the English Civil war radicals, Turner, Blake, Handel, and Franz Schmidt, and provides access to material not readily available elsewhere. – Wiley-Blackwell

"The Revelation to John by Stephen Smalley is a magisterial interpretation of John's Apocalypse as a grand drama, which can only be properly understood in light of John's Gospel and letters and in the context of the Johannine community. As such, it offers the reader a significantly different approach to this enigmatic text than that offered by most contemporary commentaries. Working directly from the Greek text, Smalley offers a masterful analysis of the critical and literary dimensions of the Apocalypse for students and scholars alike.Contents includean in-depth, critical analysis of the Greek text of Revelationa wealth of scholarly interaction with other commentaries and interpretations of Revelationa canonical assessment of Revelation in light of other Johannine textsa historical understanding of Revelation in the context of the Johannine communityan interpretation of Revelation as cosmic dramaHere is a fresh contribution to the scholarly study of this captivating but often perplexing book of the Bible. Smalley demonstrates that the Apocalypse speaks directly to any situation in any age and offers a portrait of God's loving justice that is relevant to our own society." - InterVarsity Press

"The book of Revelation has been both the most abused and one of the most ignored writings in the New Testament. Revelation has frequently become a non-functioning part of the canon for many persons in the church. Mitchell Reddish believes that the church has an obligation to reclaim the book of Revelation and allow it to speak afresh as a powerful voice containing the message of God. The commentary of the book of Revelation combines serious scholarship with contemporary application of the texts, helping the modern reader understand and appreciate the last book of the Bible. The visual and auditory richness of Revelation is an important part of the presentation of John's message. Reddish maintains that the visions, symbols, and seemingly strange images in the book are to be experienced more than explained, for the genius of Revelation is found in the cumulative effect of these imaginative components of John's writings. The unique features of this commentary are its three-fold format for each section of the biblical text: (1) a commentary section containing critical analysis and interpretation; (2) a section that makes connection between the text and the modern reader by suggesting contemporary applications of the test; and (3) special interest material related to the text." - Smyth & Helwys

"The Book of Revelation is a remarkable text. A fascinating piece of Scripture as well as an extraordinary piece of literature, its interpretation has affected our theology, art and worship, and even international politics. Yet it is widely neglected in the church and almost entirely avoided from the pulpit. In this Tyndale Commentary, Ian Paul takes a disciplined approach to the text, paying careful attention to the ways that John draws from the Old Testament. Additionally, Paul examines how the original audience would have heard this message from John, and then draws helpful comments for contemporary reflection." - IVP

Volume 2 can be found HERE and Volume 3 can be found HERE.

“David Aune worked on this commentary for 12 years. This is a surprisingly short period when one surveys the vast amount of reading, the amassing of statistics and linguistic details, the assembling of very full bibliographies, both general and specific, the writing of an erudite introduction (211 pages) and thoughtful commentary, and the preparation of impressively copious and exhaustive indexes (over 100 pages). Aune is to be congratulated on his industry and on the successful publication (under two publishing houses) of a commentary that in many ways sets a new high standard of work on this difficult book.” – J.K. Elliot

"Get back to the roots on Revelation Written especially for the informed layman, student, and scholar, this commentary seeks to clear the air on the confusion surrounding Revelation. The book is interpreted according to a historical and grammatical hermeneutic and propounds a conservative, evangelical theology, but the reader will not get a narrow view on areas of disagreement. This commentary interacts with a range of major views, both evangelical and nonevangelical. It reaffirms the basic framework of eschatology espoused by ancient Christianity, but with added help from centuries of maturing thought and doctrinal progress in the Body of Christ. All exegesis and exposition in this 2-volume commentary are based on the original language of the text. Translations used are those of the author, and textual criticism and word study are included where appropriate. This in-depth commentary also includes extended excursuses on important topics of theological and historical interest." - Moody Publishers