Best Bible Commentary Series: The Top 50

With so many Bible commentary series available today, many people want to know which ones are best. There is a wide variety of commentary series today because readers have various purposes for using these books.

Some are written for pastors and preachers, others for professors and scholars, and others for lay people. Some series even attempt to be helpful to all simultaneously.

Can Bible Commentary Series Be Ranked?

It would help many readers to hear the answer to the question, “Which commentary series’ are best?” The challenge of answering that question with complete objectivity is significant.

As mentioned above, commentaries have different purposes and approaches; in some cases, they can be unique. Readers also have these characteristics.

Consider that it wouldn’t be helpful to rank a technical commentary over a devotional one if the reader’s purpose is devotional. Likewise, it wouldn’t be helpful to rank a historical commentary over a theological one if the reader needs theological insight. But what if there was another way to organize them?

Also, see the Best One-Volume Whole Bible Commentaries for more.

Commentary Series: Tiers

Below I have organized 50 different commentaries series into five tiers of 10. These facts underlie their arrangement:

  • Each tier of 10 is arranged alphabetically rather than a strict 1-10 listing.
  • Each tier contains a combination of authors who take different approaches to the biblical text and have different focuses, such as exegetical, theological, and historical.
  • The factors determining placement are aggregate reviews, enduring usefulness to readers, and the recommendations of pastors, professors, and laypeople.

I used the information I collated to list the best Old Testament commentaries and the best New Testament commentaries by the individual book.

Is the tiered approach perfect? No! Each reader should use the information below as a starting point, not take it as the final word on the topic. A tiered approach reduces subjectivity, but it doesn’t eliminate it.

Tier One: Book Series #1-10

The commentary series in the first tier contain multiple well-reviewed volumes that are considered among the very best for the particular book of the Bible that they cover. The series are, on the whole, consistently helpful and theologically sound.

Series TitleWhy Tier One?
Baker
Exegetical
Commentaries
on the New
Testament

peter commentary cover
The BECNT commentary series has well-reviewed volumes by evangelical authors who explain the Greek text in helpful ways to pastors and professors.

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Expositor’s
Bible
Commentaries
Revised

psalms commentary cover
The EBCR series contains mid-level commentaries covering the entire Bible with several highly-praised volumes. The 2007 revision of the series helped draw more attention to this classic set.

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New
American
Commentaries

hebrews commentary cover
The NAC series employs authors from the Baptist tradition. Many volumes, which are mid-level, are well-reviewed by Baptists and non-Baptists.

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New
International
Commentaries
on the
Old/New
Testament

zechariah commentary cover
The NICOT and NICNT series may be the most praised mid-level series based on aggregate reviews. It’s been a go-to series for pastors for decades.

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New
International
Greek
Testament
Commentaries

revelation commentary cover
The NIGTC series is technical and moderately critical. Authors generally support orthodox theological conclusions. Pastors seeking technical insight like this series.

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NIV
Application
Commentaries

hebrews commentary cover
The NIVAC series is likely the most popular today because it explains and applies Scripture. Volumes are mid-level, affordable, well-reviewed, and a staple for pastors.

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Pillar
New
Testament
Commentaries

luke commentary cover
The PNTC series contains many acclaimed volumes praised for their mid-level exegesis and theology. It’s incomplete (e.g., Revelation) but has built a well-deserved reputation over the last 40 years.

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Tyndale
Old/New
Testament
Commentaries

numbers commentary cover
TOTC and TNTC commentaries are mid-level, accessible, affordable, and theologically sound. Most volumes are helpful to readers with various purposes, from preachers to Bible study leaders.

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Word
Biblical
Commentaries

esther commentary cover
There is no debating the greatness of specific WBC volumes. However, using a variety of authors means approaches to the Bible vary widely from one volume to another. Mid-level.

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Zondervan
Exegetical
Commentaries
on the New
Testament

romans commentary cover
Commentaries in the ZECOT and ZECNT series have the most helpful layout of any series today. The authors are conservative. The target audience is pastors. The series is mid-level.

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Also, see the Best Commentary on Each Book of the Bible for more.

Tier Two: Book Series #11-20

The commentary series in tier two vary. Some have been around for years but contain fewer well-reviewed volumes. Others are newer, and though the volumes that have been released so far have been well-received, their collective body of work is less.

Series TitleWhy Tier Two?
Anchor
Yale
Commentaries

mark commentary cover
Authors in this series employ various critical approaches to the text. Certain volumes are well-reviewed for the biblical book they cover.

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Baker
Commentaries
on the OT:
Wisdom
and Psalms

job commentary cover
The BCOTWP series is helpful to pastors and professors. Users praise volumes for their exegesis, theology, and literary insight. If the series covers more books with the same quality, it may be top-tier.

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Bible
Speaks
Today

malachi commentary cover
John Stott’s volumes elevate this series. Volumes are well-reviewed by lay readers as devotional aids and helpful to pastors as an introductory resource for preaching.

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Hermeneia
Commentaries

luke commentary cover
Hermeneia commentaries contain technical analysis for those seeking insight into the original languages. Authors take a variety of critical approaches to the text. Volumes are expensive.

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Interpretation
Commentaries

john commentary cover
Interpretation commentaries are mid-level, theologically focused, affordable, pastor-friendly, and mildly critical. They aim to help preachers and teachers.

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IVP
New
Testament
Commentaries

luke commentary cover
The IVPNTC series is mid-level and designed for pastors. It’s evangelical. The paperbacks are relatively affordable. Like the NIVAC, it includes application help.

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J. Vernon
McGee
Commentaries

proverbs commentary cover
These commentaries have little depth compared to others on this list. They have lots of illustrations. McGee’s radio ministry helped raise awareness of these introductory volumes.

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Old/New
Testament
Library
Commentaries

revelation commentary cover
OLT and NLT volumes contain some exegesis. They focus on the literature and theology of biblical books. Some NT volumes are well-reviewed. Some OT contributions boost the series as a whole.

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Reformed
Expository
Commentaries

matthew commentary cover
REC volumes record some of the best Reformed preaching today. Easy-to-understand theology make the biblical text clear and relevant to pastors and lay readers.

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Zondervan
Illustrated
Bible
Commentaries

revelation commentary cover
No other series provides readers with the quality and quantity of pictures, charts, maps, and other illustrations that these volumes provide.

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Also, see the Best Revelation commentaries to learn more.

Tier Three: Book Series #21-30

Most of the series in tier three are narrowly focused by design and therefore have limited audiences. This characteristic means their readership is not as widespread as other series with broad appeal.

Series TitleWhy Tier Three?
Ancient
Christian
Commentaries

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
This series preserves, simplifies, and organizes biblical commentary from early church fathers so that modern readers can benefit from their faith, insight, and explanations.

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Apollos
Old
Testament
Commentaries

haggai commentary cover
The volumes released so far in the AOTC series are high-quality, mid-level, and mildly critical. They are mid-level.

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Evangelical
Exegetical
Commentaries

john commentary cover
The EEC series is relatively new and may rise to a higher tier over time. Volumes contain refined exegesis with theological insight.

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Focus
on the
Bible

joshua commentary cover
The FOB is an introductory series. Many volumes offer devotional reflections from a moderately Reformed view. The series is helpful to lay people and pastors. The authors include application help.

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God’s Word
For You

romans commentary cover
The GWFY series benefits from the contributions of pastor Tim Keller. Yet, other authors contribute helpful introductory volumes.

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John
MacArthur
Commentaries

hebrews commentary cover
Most sections of this series read like sermons. He is controversial to some, so tier three seems fitting, but those devoted to his teaching will surely place it higher.

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Mentor
Commentaries

exodus commentary cover
Mentor commentaries are pastor-friendly and mid-level. They utilize Reformed authors. The series may climb to a higher tier if the quality of future volumes remains high.

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Preaching
the
Word

exodus commentary cover
This series requires authors to have preached expository sermons through the biblical book they are commenting on. Some volumes are large, but they are still reasonably priced.

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Socio-
Rhetorical
Commentaries

thessalonians commentry cover
The SRBC is the product of Arminian scholar Ben Witherington. The socio-rhetorical approach is brilliantly executed for books such as Acts. The narrow focus limits the series.

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Understanding
the Bible
Commentaries

genesis commentary cover
Formerly known as the New International Biblical Commentary series, the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series contains some well-reviewed volumes. Others miss the mark.

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Also, see Best Romans commentaries to learn more.

Tier Four: Book Series #31-40

Some of the series in tier four are solid yet young, and they may, in time, rise higher in this assessment as more people review and use them. Others have audiences of devoted readers, but those audiences are small relative to all those who read commentaries.

Series TitleWhy Tier Four?
Christ-
Centered
Expository
Commentaries

ecclesiastes commentary cover
The Christ-Centered Expositional Commentary series is great for Bible studies. Volumes lack sufficient depth for some pastors. The series’ approach is helpful with Old Testament volumes.

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Concordia
Commentaries

galatians commentary cover
Concordia volumes are of excellent quality, and the commentary in each volume is thorough. It’s a product of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The authors are evangelical and affirm inerrancy.

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For
Everyone

luke commentary cover
The For Everyone series is introductory. The paperbacks are very affordable. They explain the basics well. The lack of depth may prevent widespread use by pastors. OT volumes can be mildly critical.

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International
Critical
Commentaries

isaiah commentary cover
The abridged paperback editions of this series have made its volumes affordable to more people than when these technical commentaries were only available in hardbacks that often exceeded $120 new.

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JPS
Torah
Commentaries

commentary cover
This series covers the first five books of the Bible. Volumes are mildly critical. They will be maximized by those who know Hebrew. Volumes read from right to left.

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Keil-
Delitzsch
Commentaries

keil delitzsch commentary
Keil-Delitzsch is an enduring Old Testament series whose conservative commentary comes from the Hebrew text. It is still helpful to pastors and affordable, with used sets often found for under $100 on secondary markets.

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Living
Insights
(Swindoll)

corinthians commentary cover
These New Testament volumes are a favorite for those who love the teaching of pastor Charles Swindoll. They are introductory and may benefit lay people more than other audiences.

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New
Cambridge
Bible
Commentaries

matthew commentary cover
The NCBC series is mid-level and has a chance to climb to a higher tier as more volumes are released. Some volumes are very well reviewed. Authors are diverse and include Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant scholars.

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New
Interpreter’s
Bible
Commentaries

mark commentary cover
The NIBC series covers all 66 books of the Bible. Its friendly layout makes it easy to wade through the mid-level, sometimes mildly critical, explanations of the biblical text. The publisher and author are Arminian.

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Story of
God Bible
Commentaries

daniel commentary cover
The SGBC series focuses on the “grand story” of the Bible and how individual books fit into it. Time will tell if readers believe this approach is helpful.

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Also, see Best John commentaries to learn more.

Tier Five: Book Series #41-50

The series in tier five are certainly worthy of consideration, but for different reasons do not have a wide readership today.

Series TitleWhy Tier Five?
Biblical
Theology for
Christian
Proclamation

hebrews commentary cover
The BTCP series is now the Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary (EBTC). If it continues to produce quality volumes, it could rise higher as a valuable resource for pastors.

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Black’s
New
Testament
Commentaries

john commentary cover
Many volumes in the BNTC series are now dated, but some have endured. Its audience leans more toward scholars than pastors. The series’ approach is mildly critical.

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Boice
Expositional
Commentaries

James Montgomery Boice commentary
BEC volumes read like sermons. They come from the ministry of Reformed pastor James Montgomery Boice. These slim paperbacks can be used as devotional aids.

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Brazos
Theological
Commentaries

revelation commentary cover
The Brazos series uses systematic theologians to write commentaries. Reviews have been mixed for these paperbacks that cost the same as many hardback commentaries.

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Continental
Commentaries

matthew commentary cover
Continental Commentaries offer advanced, refined exegesis via English translations of German volumes. They may not prove to be practical for many readers other than scholars.

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Crossway
Classics
Commentaries

acts commentary cover
This series consists of abridged commentaries from Reformed writers from previous centuries. The publisher chose to use the NIV in these volumes, which has resulted in mixed reviews.

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Gospel
According
to the Old
Testament
Commentaries

nahum commentary cover
This series consists of thin affordable paperbacks that offer readers Christ-centered insight into Old Testament books with devotional and theological applications.

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Holman
Old/New
Commentaries

holman commentary
The Holman series is introductory. These hardbacks help pastors with overviews and sermon layouts. They lack exegetical, theological, and historical depth.

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International
Theological
Commentaries

International Theological Commentary
The ITC series values theological diversity in authors, which results in inconsistent conclusions. These mildly critical paperbacks don’t have a broad audience. A few volumes have positive reviews.

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Kregel
Exegetical
Commentaries

Kregel Exegetical Library commentary
The KEC series consists of mid-level hardbacks. It could rise to higher tiers if the quality of new releases is high. The first volumes offer theological insight into the text.

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Teach
the
Text

romans commentary cover
Some volumes in the series have received good reviews, but limiting the space for authors on passages proved challenging. The series is now discontinued.

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Two
Horizons
Commentaries

genesis commentary cover
The TH series, whose volumes blend biblical studies with theological studies, produced some helpful volumes. It’s now discontinued.

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Also, see Best Matthew commentaries to learn more.

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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