The list below identifies the best-reviewed commentary on every book of the Bible, based on assessments from pastors, professors, scholars, books, websites, and academic journals. Use it as a starting point for choosing a commentary that fits your needs.
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Best Commentary on Every Old Testament Book
Browse the best-reviewed commentary on each Old Testament book below. For more detailed rankings and information about authors, theology, and intended audience, see the Old Testament Bible Commentaries index.
Most of these recommendations come from established commentary series; see Best Commentary Series for more information.
Best Commentaries on the Pentateuch
| Commentary |
|---|
| Genesis (WBC) by Gordon Wenham View this volume on Amazon |
| Exodus (NAC) by Douglas Stuart View this volume on Amazon |
| Leviticus (NICOT) by John Hartley View this volume on Amazon |
| Numbers (TOTC) by Gordon Wenham View this volume on Amazon |
| Deuteronomy (AOTC) by J.G. McConville View this volume on Amazon |
Notes: The Genesis commentary is published in two volumes.
Best Commentaries on the Historical Books
| Commentary |
|---|
| Joshua (NICOT) by Marten Woudstra View this volume on Amazon |
| Judges and Ruth (NAC) by Daniel Block View this volume on Amazon |
| 1-2 Samuel (NAC) by Robert Bergen View this volume on Amazon |
| 1-2 Kings (NAC) by Paul House View this volume on Amazon |
| 1 Chronicles (WBC) by Roddy Braun View this volume on Amazon |
| 2 Chronicles (WBC) by Raymond Dillard View this volume on Amazon |
| Ezra-Nehemiah (WBC) by H.G.M. Williamson View this volume on Amazon |
| Esther by Joyce Baldwin View this volume on Amazon |
Notes: The best-reviewed commentaries on Judges and Ruth are in the same volumes, as are the best-reviewed commentaries on Ezra and Nehemiah, and 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings.
For decades, the best-reviewed Esther commentary was in the TOTC series. The publisher has replaced it in the series with an updated volume from a different author. Therefore, the best-reviewed volume on Esther is only available on the secondary market.
Best Commentaries on the Wisdom Literature
| Commentary |
|---|
| Job (TOTC) by Francis Andersen View this volume on Amazon |
| Psalms by Derek Kidner View this volume on Amazon |
| Proverbs (NICOT) by Bruce Waltke View this volume on Amazon |
| Ecclesiastes (NICOT) by Tremper Longman View this volume on Amazon |
| Song of Solomon (BST) by Tom Gledhill View this volume on Amazon |
The best-reviewed Psalms commentary is published in two paperback volumes.
Best Commentaries on the Major Prophets
| Commentary |
|---|
| Isaiah (NICOT) by John Oswalt View this volume on Amazon |
| Jeremiah (NICOT) by Alan Thompson View this volume on Amazon |
| Lamentations (WBC) by Paul House View this volume on Amazon |
| Ezekiel (NICOT) by Daniel Block View this volume on Amazon |
| Daniel (NIVAC) by Tremper Longman View this volume on Amazon |
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 application.
Best Commentaries on the Minor Prophets
| Commentary |
|---|
| Hosea (BST) by Derek Kidner View this volume on Amazon |
| Joel (WBC) by Douglas Stuart View this volume on Amazon |
| Amos (WBC) by Douglas Stuart View this volume on Amazon |
| Obadiah (WBC) by Douglas Stuart View this volume on Amazon |
| Jonah (WBC) by Douglas Stuart View this volume on Amazon |
| Micah by Bruce Waltke in The Minor Prophets (Vol. II; Baker) View this volume on Amazon |
| Nahum (NICOT) by O. Palmer Robertson View this volume on Amazon |
| Habakkuk (NICOT) by O. Palmer Robertson View this volume on Amazon |
| Zephaniah (NICOT) by O. Palmer Robertson View this volume on Amazon |
| Haggai by J. Alec Motyer in The Minor Prophets (Vol. III; Baker) View this volume on Amazon |
| Zechariah (TOTC) by Thomas McComiskey in The Minor Prophets (Vol. III; Baker) View this volume on Amazon |
| Malachi by Douglas Stuart in The Minor Prophets (Vol. III; Baker) View this volume on Amazon |
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 several of the best-reviewed commentaries. Volume Two includes the best-reviewed commentary on Micah. Volume Three includes the best-reviewed commentaries on Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
Best Commentary on Every New Testament Book
For more detailed rankings, including information about each commentary’s author, theology, and intended audience, see the New Testament Bible Commentaries index.
Best Commentaries on the Gospels and Acts
| Commentary |
|---|
| Matthew (EBCR) by D.A. Carson View this volume on Amazon |
| Mark (PNTC) by James R. Edwards View this volume on Amazon |
| Luke (BECNT) by Darrell Bock View this volume on Amazon |
| John (PNTC) by D.A. Carson View this volume on Amazon |
| Acts (BECNT) by Darrell Bock View this volume on Amazon |
Notes: The best-reviewed commentary on Luke is published in two volumes. The best-reviewed commentary on Acts is by the same author, Darrell Bock, and is a single volume.
Best Commentaries on the Letters of Paul
| Commentary |
|---|
| Romans (NICNT) by Douglas Moo View this volume on Amazon |
| 1 Corinthians (NICNT) by Gordon Fee View this volume on Amazon |
| 2 Corinthians (NICNT) by Paul Barnett View this volume on Amazon |
| Galatians (WBC) by Richard N. Longenecker View this volume on Amazon |
| Ephesians by Harold W. Hoehner View this volume on Amazon |
| Philippians (BECNT) by Moises Silva View this volume on Amazon |
| Colossians-Philemon (PNTC) by Douglas J. Moo View this volume on Amazon |
| 1-2 Thessalonians (WBC) by F.F. Bruce View this volume on Amazon |
| 1-2 Timothy, Titus (WBC) by William D. Mounce This volume is titled The Pastoral Epistles View this volume on Amazon |
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 in explaining the text.
Best Commentaries on the General Epistles and Revelation
| Commentary |
|---|
| Hebrews (WBC) by William L. Lane View this volume on Amazon |
| James (PNTC) by Douglas J. Moo View this volume on Amazon |
| 1 Peter (BECNT) by Karen H. Jobes View this volume on Amazon |
| 2-Peter, Jude (WBC) by Richard Bauckham View this volume on Amazon |
| 1-3 John by (BECNT) by Robert Yarbrough View this volume on Amazon |
| Revelation (NIGTC) by G.K. Beale Also available is an abridged version View this volume on Amazon |
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.
| Also see |
|---|
| See the Top 50 Bible Commentary Series |
| See the Top 25 Whole-Bible Commentaries |
| See the Study Bibles Comparison Chart (over 50) |
| See Best Genesis commentaries |
| See Best Matthew commentaries |
| See Best John commentaries |
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