Customer Reviews

The Book of Revelation (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

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I regard the first edition of 1977 as a classic commentary on Revelation. If you already own the first edition it is not really worth upgrading to the revised edition (1997). For the scholar Mounce has been overtaken by the much larger Beale. However for the student Mounce is still one of the best commentaries available, I used Mounce more than any other commentary on Revelation I owned in the 1990's and I would recommend it.

Note: Among 7 recent scholarly commentaries on Revelation Mounce is the fourth most cited author.

End note: Since I wrote this review in 2000 Osborne has been published (2002) and I would now put that at the top of my list for students. However, Mounce is a good deal simpler for those studying Revelation for the first time.

As a pastor working on sermons from the Greek text through Revelation, I've found that Mounce's NICNT commentary on Revelation is one of the best ways for me to summarize what I've read in all the other commentaries.

I have to take exception to the previous reviewer regarding Mounce's commentary on Revelation-saying that Mounce doesn't declare himself on issues. I think Mounce writes with clarity...boiling down the sometimes complex arguments of the various views to a few sentences that make sense. It's surprisingly easy to understand...so good that you can actually use some of his summaries in the pulpit and not lose the average listener! That is amazing to me. He makes a judgment call, sometimes coming to a different view than most or many other commentators.

For example, on the term ANGELOS (Angel) in Revelation 1:20, 2:1 and the other six churches, Mounce reviews the other positions...and then concludes that the term 'prevailing spirit' may capture the real meaning there. However, many believe that the term here means 'angelic messenger' or a real angel from heaven. I think he missed it on that point, but he knows way more about Greek than I do and I respect his position.

I found that Mounce is not always complete when describing the historical situation for each verse. It's helpful to read other commentaries for background information-they all give nuggets that bring out different aspects of the historical situation. For example, Beale (NIGTC) on Revelation has more information as does Aune on Revelation. Also Osborne (Baker) is helpful too. I have perhaps about ten scholarly works on Revelation. Yet Mounce is easier for a busy pastor to read through than any of these other fine authors...even if he gives less information. (Beale is my number one pick even so). I find myself unwilling to part from my Mounce commentary. What when compared to the heavy hitting commentaries is less information, is still a lot of useful detail for any preaching pastor or bible teacher working through the text of Revelation. Plus he's really easy to understand.

If you are preaching through Revelation, or writing a paper for a course, or even teaching a class on the subject...or a small group discussion, Mounce can help you. When describing the historical context of the seven churches, he sometimes strikes a lyrical cadence that is very useful. I love this commentary! What a rare flower! Get a copy if you can afford it!

This is one of my favorite commentaries on the Book of Revelation by a prominent scholar. It is written from a historical premillennial perspective and it packs a lot of information yet is not overly technical. A person who holds to a different approach in interpreting Revelation will still gain a lot of insight from reading this commentary. I highly recommend it!

I know that my review will be completely "out of sinc" with most others, but I think there is something about Mounce's book that everyone should know BEFORE they purchase it. I am currently preparing a special study for an advanced class on Revelation. My books on Revelation have multiplied from about 5 to over 30. Almost every leading scholar and serious student lists Mounce's commentary in the top 5 and many either #1 or #2. And Mounce's book is full of information on the many different ways of looking at various issues in Revelation. BUT HE WON'T COMMIT! I have been very frustrated with his book when he just lists the various way of looking at something and then won't say what his view is. That is the reason I got his book -- to know what he thinks. Before you buy this one realize that it is a great book that just won't commit. I'll appologize in advance to those who are offended by my comments. I know that to many saying something negative about Mounce's book on Revelation is like taking a shot at Bounds on Prayer. God bless. Mike

Having worked through the entire book of Revelation in a 42 sermon series, I find Mounce to be indispensable! Other reviewers are right in saying that he is not as detailed about the historical interpretation of each verse, but that would just indicate that he is more futurist in his understanding, and less a preterist.
Mounce manages to do what so many others have failed to do; to keep the message of the book in the forefront, and not allow it to get lost in the clutter of interminiable squabbling over interpretive details. His work is deep, but not confusing. He deals with the text at hand, and not as much with historical references or the Apocrypha. While these pseudopigraphal references may float the boat of scholars, Mounce keeps his finger in the Revelation text, and so his book is extremely helpful.

As a layperson, I found this commentary to be readable and enlightening; you need not be a member of clergy nor a biblical scholar to get through it. Each section of Revelation is preceded by an introductory overview, then followed by a verse-by-verse analysis. Ample footnotes provide further illumination and sources for further reading. If you compare this commentary with other books expounding the "four views" of Revelation, you will find (as expected) that while the NIV tends toward the future, eschatological view, it is not uniformly so, and often cautions against an overly literalistic view of apocalyptic writing in general. I have a few other Revelation commentaries, but if I had to choose just one, this one would definitely be "it."

While writing my Masters thesis on chapter 12 of Revelation I found myself often referring to Mounce's commentary for workmanlike and helpful insights. I agree with the top rated reviewer that this is still a classic, though first published in 1977. This is a fine commentary if you want to make sense of Revelation, a book that prima facie comes across as inexplicable. At the time I did not have the benefit of Osborne's, Beale's and Aune's commentaries, but this along with Caird were some of the more helpful commentaries that made an effort to understand Revelation within the historical context of the 'life setting' of the 7 churches of Asia whether one is a-mil or pre-mil. If you are not seeking to do high level scholarly work on Revelation then this would still make an excellent complement to Osborne. If you want to go to a higher level then purchase Aune and Beale.

I have just purchased the Book of Revelation, the New International Commentary and was immediately impressed by its ease of reading and understandability. I have three other commentaries of each of the synoptic gospels and each one is a pleasure to read. I use these books as a source for easy-to-read commentary for sermons and academic sources and find they deliver not only an analysis of each chapter in these books, but also give the reader a background knowledge of the times and places covered by the text. What I find useful is a complete history of the author or authors and the reasons behind writing the book. In the case of Revelation, the Introduction covers apocalyptic literature in general, authorship, date of the material in the book, the impact on the early church, interpretation approaches that the reader needs to be aware of, the language and structure of Revelation, and finally, an analysis, chapter by chapter, of the book. I have read many fine commentaries on various parts of the Bible and they all have their notable points but the New International Commentary seems to have the ability to deliver all these points in one source, and in a very readable fashion. These commentaries are recommended most often at the seminary I attend and are well received by the students. I would highly recommend any of these commentaries to the serious student of the Testaments.

I am extremely pleased with this book. The seller described it as being in good condition and for the age of the book, I consider it in excellent condition. A few very slightly worn places on the jacket but the book is like new. The entire transaction was excellent. I ordered this for a friend and we are delighted with it.

Surely there will be someone else writing about this book, so I'm going try to help you in another way.

When you start reading biblical commentaries you will need to be aware that the thoughts expressed by the author deal with facts and speculations that should of happened. You can NEVER rely on only one commentary to affirm something about the Bible. You need at least three good commentaries.

Try to read biblical commentaries from different confessions of faith (e.g., Calvinism vs. Arminianism; Pentecostal vs. non-Pentecostal; Catholic vs. Protestant; Egalitarian vs. Complementarian; Amillennialism vs. Premillennialism vs. Postmillennialism; etc). Look for their arguments: What do they agree or disagree on? Which of them is closest to the biblical text? It's not a sin to read commentaries written from other points of view. You will notice that what is fact or solid argument will be seen over and over on different commentaries, so you will start learning what is speculation and what is not.

As Haddon W. Robinson said in his book, Biblical Preaching, (second edition, page 22), "In approaching a passage, we must be willing to reexamine our doctrinal convictions and to reject the judgments of our most respected teachers."

Remember, a commentary is not the biblical text. Do not replace the authority of the Bible with a commentary. The same apply for Study Bibles. The study notes there are not written by "apostles and prophets," so never confuse the "gospel" with the teacher or preacher. Learn to separate it.

Commentaries are important because nobody can get a poem from one language and translate it with the same structure to another language. This simply does not exist. Words, phrases, and sentences are rooted in a specific time, culture and custom. About Bibles, the best way is to check different translations, but be cautious about a very loose translation.

For you to appreciate any biblical commentary you need to know what level of reading you are. I'm going call them beginner, intermediate and advanced. I recommend the following biblical commentaries that you can start from. All of them have both Old Testament and New Testament. (If you're thinking of buying the whole set, look for the CD edition; it's cheaper and you can take it with you where you go.)

Beginner - NIV Application Commentary (NIVAC) by Zondervan.
(or) The Bible Speaks Today Series (BST) by IVP (This is a growing series and not yet complete.)

Intermediate - New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT) and New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT) by Eerdmans

Advanced - Word Biblical Commentary (WBC) by Thomas Nelson

These are basic commentaries on their own level, but there are a lot of commentaries today, so don't forget to look for more information. Maybe you can get information from one of these: (1) Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources by John Glynn, (2) New Testament Commentary Survey by D. A. Carson, (3) Old Testament Commentary Survey by Tremper Longman.

There are good and expensive commentaries such as the Anchor Bible (AB); International Critical Commentary (ICC) or Hermeneia (HERM). [Do not forget of Calvin and Luther].

I don't know about catholic commentaries, but you can check reviews on "Sacra Pagina" and "Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture."

Other than those mentioned above (NIVAC; BST; NICNT; WBC; AB; ICC; HERM) you can also check: Expositor Bible Commentary (EBC); New American Commentary (NAC); Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC); New International Greek Testament Commentary (NIGTC); Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (BECNT); and others.

Another thing, it can be a very good commentary, but it does not mean that you will agree with everything in it. Remember, "new" does not mean it's updated, and "updated" does not mean it's better.

Purpose - You can read a book to get information, even if you are not interested in a deep study of the biblical text. In this case it's better to start reading something from your own confession of faith and always on your level of reading. If after some time you become interested in more, go check other commentaries, but please, do not skip "How To Read A Book" by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren.

Responsibility - It is your responsibility study the biblical text before checking a commentary. Sometimes this is not an easy task so I'm giving you some other references that you can check at the end of this review. If I had read a review like this before, I would know how to prevent some mistakes.

Do not let you knowledge kill your faith! - "For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith." Hebrews 4:2 NIV - (Read also 1 Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:13-14; 3:18-23; Jude 1:3).

I can't leave without suggesting some other tools to help you: (1) How To Read A Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren; (2) Hermeneutics: Principles and Processes of Biblical Interpretation by Henry Virkler and Karelynne Ayayo; (3) New Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors by Gordon Fee; and (4) Old Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors by Douglas Stuart. [Although book #3 and 4 deals with Biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew), you can learn a lot from them even if you do not know the languages]. (5) "Basics of Biblical Greek" Grammar by William D. Mounce [after you start reading it maybe you can add "Biblical Greek Survival Kit" and "Sing and Learn New Testament Greek" audio CD by Kenneth Berding]; (6) "English Grammar in Use" by Raymond Murphy (Third Edition with Cd-Rom). (7) Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History: Complete and Unabridged. - All of these will help you to understand HOW a good commentary must be written. Good Luck!