Revelation: A Shorter Commentary
Pages
576
Publisher
Eerdmans
Published
1/2/2015
ISBN-13
9780802866219
Abridgment of an acclaimed scholarly commentary on the Greek text of Revelation
G. K. Beale's monumental New International Greek Testament Commentary volume on Revelation has been highly praised since its publication in 1999. This shorter commentary distills the superb grammatical analysis and exegesis from that tome (over 1,300 pages) into a book more accessible and pertinent to preachers, students, and general Christian readers.
As in the original commentary, Beale views Revelation as an integrated whole, as a conscious continuation of the Old Testament prophetic books, and shows that recognizing Revelation's nearly constant use of Old Testament allusions is key to unlocking its meaning. Interspersed throughout the volume are more than sixty sets of "Suggestions for Reflection" to help readers better grasp the relevance of Revelation to their lives and our world today.
G. K. Beale's monumental New International Greek Testament Commentary volume on Revelation has been highly praised since its publication in 1999. This shorter commentary distills the superb grammatical analysis and exegesis from that tome (over 1,300 pages) into a book more accessible and pertinent to preachers, students, and general Christian readers.
As in the original commentary, Beale views Revelation as an integrated whole, as a conscious continuation of the Old Testament prophetic books, and shows that recognizing Revelation's nearly constant use of Old Testament allusions is key to unlocking its meaning. Interspersed throughout the volume are more than sixty sets of "Suggestions for Reflection" to help readers better grasp the relevance of Revelation to their lives and our world today.
Collections
This book appears in the following featured collections.
- Recommended New Testament Commentaries for Evangelical Pastors by Thomas R. Schreiner
- TGC: Preaching Commentaries by The Gospel Coalition
Reviews
The Gospel Coalition
June 1, 2024
June 1, 2024
An accessible volume that distills the grammatical analysis and exegesis from Beale’s longer, 1300-page NIGTC volume. A helpful commentary for both preachers and students.
[Full Review]
Matt Quintana
September 7, 2021
September 7, 2021
Greg Beale's Revelation commentary in the NIGTC series is unmatched in terms of its depth and comprehensiveness. However, at over 1,300 pages, it is far beyond the capacity of many pastors, and its technicality scares many away. Enter this "shorter" commentary. Now, at nearly 600 pages, this work is still not small, but it is far and away more accessible and easy to use (not to mention that is also much cheaper!). The exhaustive and impressive exegetical work of the original volume is included, though it is summarized and consolidated, repackaged in a format that is much easier to digest. There are no footnotes or technical excursuses, and after a short introduction, the commentary proceeds section by section through the entire book.
One helpful feature of the work is that each unit contains a one sentence summary/main idea statement. These are found at the beginning of large sections, spanning several chapters, as well as at the start of smaller units, consisting of a handful of verses. Additionally, there are theological and pastoral reflections aiding in application included for each major unit.
Beale is a leading authority on the New Testament's use of the Old, and his scholarly work on the use of the Hebrew Bible in Revelation shines through here. Not everyone will agree with his interpretations or intertextual proposals, but it is clear that all of his ideas are exegetically informed and arise from a close study of the Greek text.
Overall, Beale offers a coherent and compelling case for an amillennial interpretation of the book. His work is theologically sensitive and canonically informed, and will provide any student of the Apocalypse with more than enough to sink their teeth into. This should be a top priority commentary for any preacher or teacher of John's Revelation, especially if they are unable to tackle the technicality of his offering in the NIGTC series.
One helpful feature of the work is that each unit contains a one sentence summary/main idea statement. These are found at the beginning of large sections, spanning several chapters, as well as at the start of smaller units, consisting of a handful of verses. Additionally, there are theological and pastoral reflections aiding in application included for each major unit.
Beale is a leading authority on the New Testament's use of the Old, and his scholarly work on the use of the Hebrew Bible in Revelation shines through here. Not everyone will agree with his interpretations or intertextual proposals, but it is clear that all of his ideas are exegetically informed and arise from a close study of the Greek text.
Overall, Beale offers a coherent and compelling case for an amillennial interpretation of the book. His work is theologically sensitive and canonically informed, and will provide any student of the Apocalypse with more than enough to sink their teeth into. This should be a top priority commentary for any preacher or teacher of John's Revelation, especially if they are unable to tackle the technicality of his offering in the NIGTC series.
BRathbun
January 18, 2021
January 18, 2021
I have already learned and benefited so much from Greg Beale. Just add this to it. One of the best Christmas gifts ever. Read anything and everything by Beale if you can. This commentary is special. Not only is it more elaborate, accurate and conservative than most commentaries, but it hits home with our contemporary setting and into future all the way through with the 'Q's for reflection' sections. Greg Beale is the guide right now through Revelation.
From what I understand, this commentary is the shorter (540) version of his larger (1300) commentary, leaving out discussions of the Greek and other interpreters views.