The commentaries listed below are considered the best, based on assessments of reviews from various sources, like pastors, professors, and scholars, via books, websites, and academic journals.
Readers should consider this list a starting point in determining what Bible study resources are best for their purposes. It isn’t intended to be the “final word,” only “suggested considerations.”
Best One-Volume Commentary on the Bible
Before browsing the list below, it’s important to note that some readers may not be ready to study an intermediate, mid-level commentary on a single book of the Bible, most of which are designed for pastors.
Nevertheless, they would like a resource that will help them understand Scripture with more depth than the notes in a Study Bible or even in a sermon often provides. In this case, a one-volume whole-Bible commentary that covers Genesis to Revelation could be a great option.
The New Bible Commentary (link goes to Amazon) is an award-winning, single-volume resource that provides in-depth yet understandable explanations for every book of the Bible (in the picture below, it’s on the far left). It’s #1 on the list of Best Whole-Bible Commentaries based on aggregate reader reviews.
Best Commentary on Every Old Testament Book
Readers who want more information about each volume’s author, theological perspective, and intended audience are encouraged to browse our comprehensive lists devoted to each biblical book, like Best Genesis Commentaries.
Please see the Old Testament Bible Commentaries index to browse the Top 10 commentaries (and more) on each Old Testament book based on aggregate reviews.
Best Commentaries on the Pentateuch
Most of the best-reviewed commentaries on each book of the Bible are in a series. A commentary series is a collection of commentaries from the same publisher with a shared purpose (e.g., pastoral, devotional, academic), internal layout, and external appearance, similar to a set of encyclopedias.
See the Best Commentary Series for more information. A commentary that doesn’t belong to a series is often called a “stand-alone.”
For example, the best-reviewed Genesis commentary is in the Word Biblical Commentary (WBC) series. In the image above, the Genesis and Ezra-Nehemiah volumes are in the WBC series.
The best-reviewed Exodus commentary is in the New American Commentary (NAC) series. The 1-2 Samuel volume in the image above is in the same series.
| Commentary |
|---|
| Genesis (WBC) by Gordon Wenham See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Exodus (NAC) by Douglas Stuart See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Leviticus (NICOT) by John Hartley See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Numbers (TOTC) by Gordon Wenham See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Deuteronomy (AOTC) by J.G. McConville See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
Notes: The same author wrote the best-reviewed commentary on Genesis and Numbers. The Genesis commentary is published in two volumes. Five different commentary series are represented in the Pentateuch.
Best Commentaries on the Historical Books
Notes: The best-reviewed commentaries on Judges and Ruth are in the same volume. Likewise, the best-reviewed commentaries on Ezra and Nehemiah are in the same volume, as are 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings.
For decades, the best-reviewed Esther commentary was in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary (TOTC) series. The publisher has replaced it in the series with an updated volume from a different author. Therefore, the best-reviewed Esther volume is only available on the secondary market.
| Commentary |
|---|
| Joshua (NICOT) by Marten Woudstra See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Judges and Ruth (NAC) by Daniel Block See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Samuel (NAC) by Robert Bergen See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Kings (NAC) by Paul House See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 1 Chronicles (WBC) by Roddy Braun See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 2 Chronicles (WBC) by Raymond Dillard See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Ezra-Nehemiah (WBC) by H.G.M. Williamson See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Esther by Joyce Baldwin See on Amazon using the exact ISBN |
Best Commentaries on the Wisdom Literature
The best-reviewed Psalms commentary is published in two paperback volumes. The best-reviewed Proverbs commentary is available in two hardback volumes.
| Commentary |
|---|
| Job (TOTC) by Francis Andersen See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Psalms by Derek Kidner See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Proverbs (NICOT) by Bruce Waltke Also available is an abridged version See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Ecclesiastes (NICOT) by Tremper Longman See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Song of Solomon (BST) by Tom Gledhill See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
Best Commentaries on the Major Prophets
Notes: The best-reviewed commentaries on Isaiah and Ezekiel are published in two volumes. John Oswalt also wrote the Isaiah volume in the NIVAC commentary series, which pastors may prefer to the NICOT edition because of its focus on applying the biblical text.
| Commentary |
|---|
| Isaiah (NICOT) by John Oswalt See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Jeremiah (NICOT) by Alan Thompson See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Lamentations (WBC) by Paul House See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Ezekiel (NICOT) by Daniel Block See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Daniel (NIVAC) by Tremper Longman See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
Best Commentaries on the Minor Prophets
Notes: The best-reviewed commentaries on Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah are in the same volume. The best-reviewed commentaries on Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah are also in the same volume.
The three-volume collection, The Minor Prophets, contains multiple best-reviewed commentaries. Volume Two includes the best-reviewed commentary on Micah. Volume Three includes the best-reviewed commentaries on Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
| Commentary |
|---|
| Hosea (BST) by Derek Kidner See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Joel (WBC) by Douglas Stuart See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Amos (WBC) by Douglas Suart See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Obadiah (WBC) by Douglas Stuart See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Jonah (WBC) by Douglas Stuart See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Micah by Bruce Waltke in The Minor Prophets (Vol. II) See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Nahum (NICOT) by O. Palmer Robertson See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Habakkuk (NICOT) by O. Palmer Robertson See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Zephaniah (NICOT) by O. Palmer Robertson See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Haggai by J. Alec Motyer in The Minor Prophets (Vol. III) See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Zechariah (TOTC) by Thomas McComiskey in The Minor Prophets (Vol. III) See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Malachi by Douglas Stuart in The Minor Prophets (Vol. III) See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
Best Commentary on Every New Testament Book
Readers who want more information about each volume’s author, theological perspective, and intended audience are encouraged to browse lists devoted to each biblical book, like Best Matthew Commentaries.
Please see the New Testament Bible Commentaries index to browse the Top 10 commentaries on each New Testament book based on aggregate reviews.
Best Commentaries on the Gospels and Acts
Notes: The best-reviewed commentary on Luke is published in two volumes. The best-reviewed commentary on Acts comes from the same author, Darrell Bock, and is one volume. New Testament scholar D.A. Carson wrote the best-reviewed commentary on Matthew and John.
| Commentary |
|---|
| Matthew (EBCR) by D.A. Carson See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Mark (PNTC) by James R. Edwards See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Luke (BECNT) by Darrell Bock See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| John (PNTC) by D.A. Carson See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Acts (BECNT) by Darrell Bock See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
Best Commentaries on the Letters of Paul
Notes: Douglas Moo wrote the Romans volume in the NICNT series and the NIVAC series. The latter focuses more on applying each passage to modern life, while the former goes more in-depth on explaining the text.
| Commentary |
|---|
| Romans (NICNT) by Douglas Moo See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 1 Corinthians (NICNT) by Gordon Fee See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 2 Corinthians (NICNT) by Paul Barnett See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Galatians (WBC) by Richard N. Longenecker See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Ephesians by Harold W. Hoehner See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Philippians (BECNT) by Moises Silva See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Colossians-Philemon (PNTC) by Douglas J. Moo See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Thessalonians (WBC) by F.F. Bruce See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 1-2 Timothy, Titus (WBC) by William D. Mounce This volume is titled, The Pastoral Epistles See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
Best Commentaries on the General Epistles and Revelation
Notes: The best-reviewed Hebrews commentary is published in two volumes. The best-reviewed commentaries on Jude and 2 Peter are in the same volume.
| Commentary |
|---|
| Hebrews (WBC) by William L. Lane See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| James (PNTC) by Douglas J. Moo See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 1 Peter (BECNT) by Karen H. Jobes See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 2-Peter, Jude (WBC) by Richard Bauckham See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| 1-3 John by (BECNT) by Robert Yarbrough See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Revelation (NIGTC) by G.K. Beale Also available is an abridged version See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook the using exact ISBN |
| Also see |
|---|
| See the Top 50 Bible Commentary Series |
| See the Top 25 Whole-Bible Commentaries |
| See the Study Bibles Comparison Chart (over 50) |
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