Remarks on scholarly commentaries

Posted by Georg S. Adamsen on February 7, 2008

The commentaries included in the category Scholarly commentaries are either scholarly (i.e., written for scholars and serious students) or written by scholars and with a specific, valuable view on Revelation or one of the topics discussed on Revelation Resources.

Although it is hardly possible to rank commentaries objectively, I would suggest that some commentaries should be consulted more unhesitatingly than others. Comments are welcome!

Of the most recent commentaries I would mention:

• David E. Aune, Revelation (3 volumes) (1997-1998)
• Gregory K. Beale, The Book of Revelation (1999)
• Robert H. Mounce, Revelation (1998)
• Leonard L. Thompson, Revelation (1998)
• Louis A. Brighton, Revelation (presentation forthcoming) (1999)

Two commentaries with a focus on the history of interpretation are recommended (in chronological order):

• Weinrich, Revelation (2006)
• Kovacs and Rowland, Revelation: The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ (2004)

I would also suggest the following commentaries (in chronological order):

• Peder Madsen, Johannes’ Aabenbaring (1894-1896)
• Henry Barclay Swete, The Apocalypse (1906)
• Wilhelm, Bousset, Die Offenbarung Johannis (1906)
• I. T. Beckwith, The Apocalypse of John (1919)
• R. H. Charles, Revelation (1920)
• Theodor Zahn, Die Offenbarung des Johannes (1924-1926)
• Ernst Lohmeyer, Die Offenbarung des Johannes (1926)
• William Hendriksen, More Than Conquerors (1940)
• Holger Mosbech, Johannes’ Aabenbaring (see also his history of interpretation) (1943; 1934)
• G. B. Caird, The Revelation of St. John the Divine (1966; 1983)
• Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 1-7; Revelation 8-22 (1992; 1995)
• Heinz Giesen, Die Offenbarung des Johannes (1997)
• Grant R. Osborne, Revelation (2002)

Many - especially German - scholars were and are Lutherans. Some seem to be more distinctively Lutheran than others. I would mention the following:

• R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. John’s Revelation (1935; repr. 2001)
• Eduard Lohse, Die Offenbarung des Johannes (1960; 8th ed. 1993)
• Martin H. Franzmann, The Revelation to John (1968; 2nd. 1978; repr. 1986)
• Siegbert W. Becker, Revelation: The Distant Triumph Song (1985)
• Gerhard A. Krodel, Revelation (1989)
• Louis A. Brighton, Revelation (1999)

Any comments?

Comments

4 Responses to “Remarks on scholarly commentaries”

1. Nomen Nescio says:

   February 7, 2008 at 11:54

   I would also include the commentaries by Biguzzi and Prigent.

   Reply
2. Georg S. Adamsen says:

   February 7, 2008 at 13:09

   Biguzzi’s new commentary (2005) is in Italian, and I am not very good at Italian. Perhaps I need a guest reviewer on that one?

   I haven’t noticed the second edition of Prigent’s commentary. Thank you.

   The details are:

   1) Prigent, Pierre. L’Apocalypse de Saint Jean. Rev. and exp. ed. Commentaire du Nouveau Testament, 14. Genève: Labor et Fides, 2000. 507 pp.

   2) Biguzzi, Giancarlo. Apocalisse: nuova versione, introduzione e commento. Vol. 20 of I Libri BibliciMilano: Paoline, 2005. 476 pp.

   Reply
3. R. E. Aguirre says:

   August 17, 2008 at 0:23

   Surprised you don’t have E. B. Allo, l’Apocalypse Saint Jean, (Paris: Gabalda, 1933) who is excellent on the grammar.
   ______________________

   R. E. Aguirre
   Regulafide.blogspot.com

   Reply
   • Georg S. Adamsen says:

     August 17, 2008 at 7:59

     Your are right. However, it will be added some time in the future. It is sitting on my desk waiting for me …

     Reply