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 Series | Translation/ Theology | Target Audience | Notes | Browse volumes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
21st Century Commentaries | NASB; evangelical | laypeople/ pastors | all authors are premillennial, pre-tribulation | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Abingdon Commentaries | NRSV; United Methodist | laypeople/ pastors | Methodist perspective | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Anchor Yale Commentaries | 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  | RSV; orthodox | anyone | select comments from early-church fathers | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Apollos Old Testament Commentary  | 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  | 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  | author’s own; broadly evangelical | pastors/ professors | accessible, pastor-friendly Greek exegesis | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| The Bible Speaks Today  | NIV; broadly evangelical | laypeople/ pastors | combines sermon exposition with text commentary | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Biblical Theology for Christian Proclamation  | HCSB; Baptist | pastors/ professors | focus includes themes, not technical matters | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Black’s New Testament Commentaries | 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 Series | Translation/ Theology | Target Audience | Notes | Browse volumes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Brazos Theological Commentaries | NRSV; authors affirm Nicene Creed | pastors/ professors | employs theologians to write expositions | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Calvin (John) 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  | NEB; 20th century liberal-moderate perspectives | laypeople/ pastors | discusses text, history, theology | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Christ-Centered Exposition Commentaries  | HCSB; broadly evangelical | laypeople/ pastors | includes illustrations, focus on Jesus in every book | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
College Press Commentaries | NIV; The Restoration Movement | anyone | reflects Stone- Campbell theology | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Communicator’s Commentaries | NIV; broadly evangelical | anyone | became Mastering the OT/NT; now Preacher’s Comm. | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Concordia Commentaries | author’s own; evangelical | pastors/ professors | Evangelical Lutheran perspective | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Continental Commentaries | author’s own; critical | professors | translates German scholarly commentaries into English | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Cornerstone Biblical Commentaries  | NLT; evangelical | laypeople/ pastors | passage-by -passage explanations | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Crossway Classic Commentaries | editors use the NIV; all authors are Reformed | laypeople/ pastors | classic works adapted for modern readers | See 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 Series | Translation/ Theology | Target Audience | Notes | Browse volumes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Daily Study Bible | author’s own; 20th century liberal-moderate perspectives | laypeople/ pastors | OT authors vary; NT author is William Barclay | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Evangelical Exegetical Commentaries  | 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 | varies; Reformed | pastors/ professors | exegetical commentary for Reformed pastors | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament  | 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 | NIV; broadly evangelical | pastors | employs evangelical authors, many premillennial | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Focus on the Bible  | author’s own; Reformed | laypeople/ pastors | reads like a sermon | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
For Everyone | 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 | NIV; Reformed | laypeople/ pastors | reads like a sermon | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
The Gospel According to the Old Testament | ESV; Reformed | laypeople/ pastors | Christ-centered commentary on Old Testament books | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Henry (Matthew) Commentaries  | 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 Series | Translation/ Theology | Target Audience | Notes | Browse volumes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hermeneia | author’s own; critical | professors | features technical, critical scholarship | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Holman Commentaries | NIV; evangelical | laypeople/ pastors | target audience is teachers | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| International Critical Commentary  | author’s own; critical | professors | contains linguistic, textual, historical, and archaeological discussions | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
International Theological Commentaries | RSV; moderately critical | pastors, teachers | prioritizes theological diversity; OT only | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Interpretation | RSV; moderately critical | pastors/ professors | critical approach to historical and theological discussions | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| IVP New Testament Commentary  | NIV; broadly evangelical | pastors | pastor-friendly exegesis | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
JPS Torah Commentaries | author’s own; critical | professors | insights from a Jewish worldview; pages flip from right to left | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Keil-Delitzsch Commentaries | author’s own; Orthodox Lutheran scholars | pastors/ professors | technical, conservative scholarship of OT scripture | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Kregel Exegetical Commentaries  | author’s own; theologically conservative | pastors, teachers | scholarship plus application | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Lectio Continua Expository Commentaries | 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 Series | Translation/ Theology | Target Audience | Notes | Browse volumes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Insights: Chuck Swindoll Commentaries  | NASB; broadly evangelical | pastors | written by Chuck Swindoll | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| MacArthur (John) Commentaries  | NASB; Reformed Baptist | laypeople/ pastors | reads like a sermon | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Mentor Commentaries  | author’s choice; Reformed | pastors | focuses on exegesis, reflects Reformed | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Montgomery Boice (James) Commentary | NIV; Presbyterian, reformed | anyone | devotional in nature | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| New American Commentary  | NIV; Baptist | pastors | pastor-friendly, many authors conservative, dispensational | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| New Beacon Bible Commentaries  | NIV; Wesleyan | laypeople/ pastors | written from the Wesleyan theological perspective | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| New Cambridge Bible Commentary  | NRSV; some critical, some evangelical | pastors/ professors | provides fresh look at biblical texts | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
New Century Commentaries | N/RSV; broadly evangelical | pastors | most volumes reflect critical exegesis | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
New International Biblical Commentary | NIV; broadly evangelical | anyone | used to be Good News Commentary; then NIBC; now UBCS | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| New International Commentary on the OT and NT  | author’s own; broadly evangelical | pastors | high quality exegesis for pastors and teachers | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Also compare dozens of Study Bibles: Best Study Bibles Comparison Chart.
| Commentary Series | Translation/ Theology | Target Audience | Notes | Browse volumes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
New International Greek Testament Commentary | 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 | NRSV / NIV; Methodist, some critical, some evangelical | pastors | an ecumenical roster of contributors | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| NIV Application Commentary  | NIV; broadly evangelical | pastors | bridging original context to contemporary context | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Old and New Testament Library | RSV; some critical, some evangelical | pastors | mostly critical approaches to literary and theological issues | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Paideia Commentaries | author’s own; employs Catholic and Protestant authors | pastors/ professors | moderately critical exegesis | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Pillar New Testament Commentary  | NIV; broadly evangelical | pastors/ professors | thorough, conservative exegesis | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
The Preacher’s Commentary | NKJV; evangelical | pastors | pulpit help | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Preaching the Word  | NIV, revised (pictured) use ESV; Reformed | laypeople/ pastors | homiletic expositions | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Reformation Commentary on Scripture  | author’s; Reformed Protestant | anyone | biblical insights from the Reformers | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Reformed Expository Commentaries  | ESV; Reformed | laypeople/ pastors | homiletical expositions | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Also see New Testament Bible Commentaries: Index.
| Commentary Series | Translation/ Theology | Target Audience | Notes | Browse volumes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sacra Pagina Commentaries | author’s own; Catholic | pastors/ professors | Roman Catholic theology | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Smyth & Helwys Commentaries  | varies by volume; varies by volume | pastors | comes with CD-ROM that includes commentary on PDF | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Socio-Rhetorical Commentaries | author’s own; Arminian | pastors/ professors | Ben Witherington’s project | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Story of God Bible Commentary  | NIV; broadly evangelical | laypeople/ pastors | focuses on the Bible’s big-picture storyline | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Teach the Text Commentaries | NIV; broadly evangelical | pastors | aims to clearly show the text’s relevance | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Thru the Bible: J. Vernon McGee  | KJV; Presbyterian | laypeople/ pastors | similar to McGee’s radio teachings | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Two Horizons | author’s own; broadly evangelical | pastors | focuses on theological interpretations | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Tyndale OT and NT Bible Commentaries  | NIV; broadly evangelical | pastors | to-the-point exegesis and explanations | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Understanding the Bible Commentary  | NIV; some critical, some evangelical | pastors | intends to promote biblical theology | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Walvoord (John) Prophecy Commentary | ESV; theologically conservative | anyone | premillennial, dispensationalism | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Wesleyan Bible Study  | NIV; evangelical | laypeople/ pastors | Arminian perspectives | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Word Biblical Commentary | author’s own; some critical, some evangelical | pastors/ professors | fresh translations, in-depth exegesis | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Wycliffe Exegetical Commentaries  | author’s own; broadly evangelical | pastors/ professors | in-depth exegesis for pastors | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
| Zondervan Exegetical Commentary  | NIV; broadly evangelical | pastors | Graphic Layout | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary | NIV; broadly evangelical | laypeople/ pastors | color pictures, charts, maps | See on Amazon using exact ISBN |
Also see Old Testament Bible Commentaries: Index.
Also see:
