Bible Commentary Series Comparison Chart

If you have been searching the universe for a gigantic digital table that is subdivided into small boxes, which are filled with fun and informative Bible commentary goodness, then your search is over! The comparison chart below is a quick-reference guide to 75 different Bible commentary series.

There are many different commentary series because there are many different purposes and uses for Bible commentaries. (Also see Different Types of Bible Commentaries: A Guide for Bible Readers to learn more)

Before buying a commentary, readers want to know information such as what English translation a commentary uses, what the theological convictions of the author are, and what makes a particular volume in a series unique. The chart below helps answer those questions.

More people seek to own a commentary on the book of Revelation than any other book of the Bible. See the best Revelation commentaries to learn more.

Commentary SeriesTranslation/
Theology
Target Audience Notes Browse volumes
21st Century Commentaries

21st century commentary
NASB;
evangelical
laypeople/
pastors
all authors are
premillennial,
pre-tribulation
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Abingdon Commentaries

abingdon commentary cover
NRSV;
United
Methodist
laypeople/
pastors
Methodist
perspective
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Anchor Yale Commentaries

anchor commentary cover
author’s own;
inter-faith,
Protestant,
Catholic,
Jewish /
critical
pastors/
professors
unique
translations;
up-to-date
discussions on
philology
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Ancient Christian Commentary
on Scripture

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
RSV;
orthodox
anyoneselect comments
from early-church fathers
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Apollos
Old Testament
Commentary

haggai commentary cover
author’s own;
broadly
evangelical
pastors/
professors
pastor-friendly;
up-to-date
discussions
on textual
criticism
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Baker Commentary
on the OT
Wisdom and Psalms

job commentary cover
author’s own;
broadly
evangelical
pastors/
professors
pastor-friendly,
accessible, in-depth, on OT Wisdom
Literature
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Baker Exegetical
Commentary
on the NT

peter commentary cover
author’s own;
broadly
evangelical
pastors/
professors
accessible,
pastor-friendly
Greek exegesis
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
The Bible
Speaks Today

malachi commentary
 NIV;
broadly
evangelical
laypeople/
pastors
combines sermon
exposition with
text commentary
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Biblical Theology
for Christian
Proclamation

hebrews commentary cover
HCSB;
Baptist
pastors/
professors
focus includes
themes, not
technical matters
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Black’s New Testament Commentaries

john commentary cover
author’s own;
mostly critical
pastors/
professors
paragraph-by-
paragraph
exposition
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN

The second most popular book of the Bible that people seek to own a commentary on is Romans. See best Romans commentaries to learn more.

Commentary SeriesTranslation/
Theology
Target Audience Notes Browse volumes
Brazos Theological Commentaries

revelation commentary cover
NRSV;
authors affirm
Nicene Creed
pastors/
professors
employs theologians to write expositionsSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Calvin (John) Commentaries

calvin commentaries
author’s own: Calvin was a leader of the
Protestant
Reformation
laypeople/
pastors
mostly based
on his sermons
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Cambridge Bible
Commentaries

cambridge bible commentary
NEB;
20th century
liberal-moderate
perspectives
laypeople/
pastors
discusses text, history, theologySee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Christ-Centered
Exposition
Commentaries

ecclesiastes commentary cover
HCSB;
broadly
evangelical
laypeople/
pastors
includes illustrations,
focus on Jesus
in every book
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
College Press Commentaries

College Press commentary
NIV;
The
Restoration
Movement
anyonereflects
Stone-
Campbell
theology
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Communicator’s Commentaries

The Communicator's Commentary
NIV;
broadly
evangelical
anyonebecame Mastering
the OT/NT; now
Preacher’s Comm.
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Concordia Commentaries

galatians commentary cover
author’s own;
evangelical
pastors/
professors
Evangelical
Lutheran
perspective
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Continental Commentaries

matthew commentary cover
author’s own;
critical
professorstranslates German scholarly
commentaries
into English
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Cornerstone
Biblical
Commentaries

cornerstone commentary
NLT;
evangelical
laypeople/
pastors
passage-by
-passage
explanations
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Crossway Classic Commentaries

acts commentary cover
editors use the NIV;
all authors are Reformed
laypeople/
pastors
classic works adapted for modern readersSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN

The third most popular book of the Bible that people seek to own a commentary on is John. See best John commentaries to learn more.

Commentary SeriesTranslation/
Theology
Target Audience Notes Browse volumes
Daily Study Bible

daily study bible
author’s own;
20th century
liberal-moderate
perspectives
laypeople/
pastors
OT authors vary; NT author is William BarclaySee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Evangelical
Exegetical
Commentaries

john commentary cover
author’s own;
broadly
evangelical
pastors/
professors
latest in
critical biblical
scholarship from
an evangelical
perspective
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Evangelical Press Study Commentary

job commentary cover
varies;
Reformed
pastors/
professors
exegetical commentary for Reformed pastorsSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Exegetical Guide
to the Greek
New Testament

john commentary cover
author’s own;
broadly
evangelical
pastors/
professors
it’s a lexical and
grammatical tool,
yet provides
preaching help
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Revised

psalms commentary cover
NIV;
broadly
evangelical
pastorsemploys evangelical authors, many premillennialSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Focus on
the Bible

Focus on the Bible commentary
author’s own;
Reformed
laypeople/
pastors
reads like a sermonSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
For Everyone

luke commentary cover
author’s own;
Wright is an Anglican bishop
laypeople/
pastors
All volumes
written by
N.T. Wright
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
For You

romans commentary cover
NIV;
Reformed
laypeople/
pastors
reads like a sermonSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
The Gospel According to the Old Testament

nahum commentary cover
ESV;
Reformed
laypeople/
pastors
Christ-centered commentary on Old Testament booksSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Henry
(Matthew)
Commentaries


Matthew Henry commentary
KJV;
theologically
conservative
anyone devotional
in nature
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN

After you compare these commentary series, see which are the Top 10 (and more) based on aggregate academic reviews here: Best Commentary Series: The Top 50.

Commentary SeriesTranslation/
Theology
Target Audience Notes Browse volumes
Hermeneia

luke commentary cover
author’s own;
critical
professorsfeatures technical,
critical scholarship
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Holman Commentaries

holman commentary
NIV;
evangelical
laypeople/
pastors
target audience is teachersSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
International
Critical
Commentary

Isaiah commentary
author’s own;
critical
professorscontains linguistic, textual, historical, and archaeological discussionsSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
International Theological Commentaries

International Theological Commentary
RSV;
moderately
critical
pastors,
teachers
prioritizes theological diversity; OT onlySee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Interpretation

john commentary cover
RSV;
moderately
critical
pastors/
professors
critical approach to historical and theological discussionsSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
IVP
New Testament
Commentary

IVP bible commentary
NIV;
broadly
evangelical
pastorspastor-friendly exegesisSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
JPS Torah Commentaries

JPS commentary cover
author’s own;
critical 
professorsinsights from a Jewish worldview;
pages flip from
right to left
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Keil-Delitzsch Commentaries

keil delitzsch commentary
author’s own;
Orthodox
Lutheran
scholars
pastors/
professors
technical,
conservative
scholarship of
OT scripture
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Kregel
Exegetical
Commentaries

Kregel Exegetical Library commentary
author’s own;
theologically
conservative
pastors,
teachers
scholarship plus applicationSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Lectio Continua Expository Commentaries

romans commentary cover
ESV;
Reformed
laypeople/
pastors
reads like
a sermon
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN

One-Volume Whole-Bible commentaries are also excellent resources. See Best Whole-Bible Commentaries: Top 25 to see the list.

Commentary SeriesTranslation/
Theology
Target Audience Notes Browse volumes
Living Insights:
Chuck Swindoll
Commentaries

corinthians commentary cover
NASB;
broadly
evangelical
pastorswritten by
Chuck Swindoll
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
MacArthur (John)
Commentaries

hebrews commentary cover
NASB;
Reformed
Baptist
laypeople/
pastors
reads like
a sermon
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Mentor
Commentaries

exodus commentary cover
author’s
choice;
Reformed
pastorsfocuses on
exegesis, reflects
Reformed
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Montgomery Boice (James) Commentary

James Montgomery Boice commentary
NIV;
Presbyterian,
reformed
anyone devotional in nature See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
New
American
Commentary

hebrews commentary cover
NIV;
Baptist
pastorspastor-friendly,
many authors
conservative,
dispensational
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
New
Beacon Bible
Commentaries

New Beacon Bible Commentary
NIV;
Wesleyan
laypeople/
pastors
written from
the Wesleyan
theological
perspective
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
New
Cambridge Bible Commentary

matthew commentary cover
NRSV;
some critical,
some evangelical 
pastors/
professors
provides fresh
look at biblical
texts
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
New Century Commentaries

philippians commentary cover
N/RSV;
broadly
evangelical 
pastorsmost volumes
reflect critical
exegesis
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
New International Biblical Commentary

New International Biblical Commentary
NIV;
broadly
evangelical
anyoneused to be Good News Commentary; then NIBC; now UBCSSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
New International Commentary
on the OT and NT

zechariah commentary cover
author’s own;
broadly
evangelical
pastorshigh quality
exegesis for
pastors and
teachers
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN

Also compare dozens of Study Bibles: Best Study Bibles Comparison Chart.

Commentary SeriesTranslation/
Theology
Target Audience Notes Browse volumes
New International Greek Testament Commentary

revelation commentary cover
author’s own;
all evangelical, some critical
pastors/
professors
thorough exegesis of the Greek text See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary

New Interpreter's bible commentary
NRSV / NIV;
Methodist, some critical, some evangelical
pastorsan ecumenical roster of contributorsSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
NIV
Application
Commentary

hebrews commentary cover
NIV;
broadly
evangelical 
pastorsbridging original context to contemporary contextSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Old and New Testament Library

revelation commentary cover
RSV;
some critical, some evangelical 
pastorsmostly critical
approaches to
literary and
theological issues
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Paideia Commentaries

luke commentary cover
author’s own; employs Catholic and Protestant authorspastors/
professors
moderately critical exegesisSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Pillar
New Testament
Commentary

luke commentary cover
NIV;
broadly
evangelical 
pastors/
professors
thorough, conservative exegesisSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
The Preacher’s Commentary

Preacher's Commentary
NKJV;
evangelical
pastorspulpit helpSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Preaching
the Word

exodus commentary cover
NIV, revised (pictured) use ESV;
Reformed
laypeople/
pastors
homiletic
expositions
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Reformation Commentary
on Scripture

Reformation Commentary on Scripture
author’s;
Reformed
Protestant
anyonebiblical insights from the ReformersSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Reformed
Expository Commentaries

matthew commentary cover
ESV;
Reformed 
laypeople/
pastors
homiletical
expositions
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN

Also see New Testament Bible Commentaries: Index.

Commentary SeriesTranslation/
Theology
Target Audience Notes Browse volumes
Sacra Pagina Commentaries

sacra pagina commentary
author’s own;
Catholic
pastors/
professors
Roman Catholic theologySee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Smyth & Helwys
Commentaries

mark commentary cover
varies by
volume;
varies by
volume
pastorscomes with CD-ROM that includes commentary on PDFSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Socio-Rhetorical Commentaries

thessalonians commentry cover
author’s
own;
Arminian
pastors/
professors
Ben Witherington’s projectSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Story of
God Bible
Commentary

daniel commentary cover
NIV;
broadly
evangelical 
laypeople/
pastors
focuses on the Bible’s big-picture storylineSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Teach the Text Commentaries

Teach the Text commentary
NIV;
broadly
evangelical 
pastorsaims to clearly show the text’s relevanceSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Thru the Bible:
J. Vernon McGee

proverbs commentary cover
KJV;
Presbyterian
laypeople/
pastors
similar to McGee’s radio
teachings
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Two Horizons

Two Horizons commentary
author’s own;
broadly
evangelical 
pastorsfocuses on
theological
interpretations
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Tyndale OT
and NT Bible
Commentaries

numbers commentary cover
NIV;
broadly
evangelical 
pastorsto-the-point exegesis and explanationsSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Understanding
the Bible
Commentary

genesis commentary cover
NIV;
some critical,
some evangelical 
pastorsintends to promote biblical theologySee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Walvoord (John) Prophecy Commentary

John Walvoord commentary
ESV;
theologically
conservative
anyonepremillennial,
dispensationalism
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Wesleyan
Bible Study

wesleyan commentary
NIV;
evangelical
laypeople/
pastors
Arminian
perspectives
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Word Biblical Commentary

esther commentary cover
author’s own;
some critical, some evangelical 
pastors/
professors
fresh translations,
in-depth exegesis
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Wycliffe
Exegetical
Commentaries

revelation commentary cover
author’s
own;
broadly
evangelical 
pastors/
professors
in-depth exegesis for pastorsSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Zondervan
Exegetical
Commentary

romans commentary cover
NIV;
broadly
evangelical 
pastorsGraphic LayoutSee on
Amazon
using exact ISBN
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary

revelation commentary cover
NIV;
broadly
evangelical 
laypeople/
pastors
color pictures,
charts, maps
See on
Amazon
using exact ISBN

Also see Old Testament Bible Commentaries: Index.

Also see:

Best Matthew commentaries

Best Revelation commentaries

Best Romans commentaries

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