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The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries
Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary
In this landmark commentary, Craig R. Koester offers a comprehensive look at a powerful and controversial early Christian text, the book of Revelation . Originally written for Christian communities in Asia Minor, Revelation depicts scenes of cosmic conflict in which God, the creator of the world, overcomes the forces of destruction and makes all things new. This often misunderstood portion of the New Testament repeatedly surprises readers by warning that judgment is imminent, only to interrupt the visions of terror with messages of hope and redemption.
Koester provides richly textured descriptions of the book’s setting and language, making extensive use of Greek and Latin inscriptions, classical texts, and ancient Jewish writings, including the Dead Sea Scrolls. While Revelation has often been viewed as world-negating, this commentary focuses on its deep engagement with social, religious, and economic issues. It also addresses the book’s volatile history of interpretation and its cultural impact over the centuries. The result is a groundbreaking study that provides powerful insights and sets new directions for the continued appreciation of this visionary religious text.
Koester provides richly textured descriptions of the book’s setting and language, making extensive use of Greek and Latin inscriptions, classical texts, and ancient Jewish writings, including the Dead Sea Scrolls. While Revelation has often been viewed as world-negating, this commentary focuses on its deep engagement with social, religious, and economic issues. It also addresses the book’s volatile history of interpretation and its cultural impact over the centuries. The result is a groundbreaking study that provides powerful insights and sets new directions for the continued appreciation of this visionary religious text.
- GenresChristianity
928 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
8 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Craig R. Koester
23 books18 followersCraig R. Koester is Vice President of Academic Affairs, Professor and Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair of New Testament at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN.
Ph.D. (Union Theological Seminary)
Ordained (ELCA)
M.Div. (Luther Theological Seminary)
Biography
Craig Koester received a B.A. from Saint Olaf College, an M.Div. from Luther Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary in New York. He served as a parish pastor for several years in Princeton, Minnesota, and joined the faculty of Luther Seminary in 1986. He was appointed to the Asher O. and Carrie Nasby chair of New Testament Studies in 2012.
An innovative teacher, Dr. Koester is known for his “Genesis to Revelation” course, which uses visuals, music, and drama to take people through the sweep of the biblical story in ten days. His other courses include John’s Gospel and Epistles, and the book of Revelation. Because of the high level of public interest in Revelation, he developed a course that explores the background and content of Revelation, as well as its impact on western culture. Entitled Apocalypse: Controversies and Meaning in Western History, it was released on DVD through the GreatCourses.
As a scholar, Dr. Koester has contributed to discussions of Scripture in the academy and the church. His books include landmark commentaries on Hebrews (2001) and Revelation (2013 forthcoming) for the Anchor Yale Commentary series. In Johannine studies, he is known for his Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel (2nd edition, 2003), The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel (2008), and numerous articles. His book Revelation and the End of All Things (2001) is a popular resource among seminary and college students, and is widely used in congregations.
Dr. Koester is has led and organized seminars for the Society of Biblical Literature and Society for New Testament Studies. He has served as associate editor of the journals New Testament Studies and The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, and regularly presents his work at international gatherings of scholars. He was a scholar in residence at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey in 1992-93 and 2007.
In the church, Dr. Koester speaks at theological conferences, synod gatherings, pastors’ workshops, and congregations. He is one of the designers of the Narrative Lectionary, which enables congregations to move through major sections of both Old and New Testaments from September through May each year. At the international level, he is involved in the work of the Lutheran World Federation on the interpretation of Scripture, and presented papers at the conferences in Nairobi, Kenya (2011) and Eisenach, Germany (2013).
Ph.D. (Union Theological Seminary)
Ordained (ELCA)
M.Div. (Luther Theological Seminary)
Biography
Craig Koester received a B.A. from Saint Olaf College, an M.Div. from Luther Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary in New York. He served as a parish pastor for several years in Princeton, Minnesota, and joined the faculty of Luther Seminary in 1986. He was appointed to the Asher O. and Carrie Nasby chair of New Testament Studies in 2012.
An innovative teacher, Dr. Koester is known for his “Genesis to Revelation” course, which uses visuals, music, and drama to take people through the sweep of the biblical story in ten days. His other courses include John’s Gospel and Epistles, and the book of Revelation. Because of the high level of public interest in Revelation, he developed a course that explores the background and content of Revelation, as well as its impact on western culture. Entitled Apocalypse: Controversies and Meaning in Western History, it was released on DVD through the GreatCourses.
As a scholar, Dr. Koester has contributed to discussions of Scripture in the academy and the church. His books include landmark commentaries on Hebrews (2001) and Revelation (2013 forthcoming) for the Anchor Yale Commentary series. In Johannine studies, he is known for his Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel (2nd edition, 2003), The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel (2008), and numerous articles. His book Revelation and the End of All Things (2001) is a popular resource among seminary and college students, and is widely used in congregations.
Dr. Koester is has led and organized seminars for the Society of Biblical Literature and Society for New Testament Studies. He has served as associate editor of the journals New Testament Studies and The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, and regularly presents his work at international gatherings of scholars. He was a scholar in residence at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey in 1992-93 and 2007.
In the church, Dr. Koester speaks at theological conferences, synod gatherings, pastors’ workshops, and congregations. He is one of the designers of the Narrative Lectionary, which enables congregations to move through major sections of both Old and New Testaments from September through May each year. At the international level, he is involved in the work of the Lutheran World Federation on the interpretation of Scripture, and presented papers at the conferences in Nairobi, Kenya (2011) and Eisenach, Germany (2013).
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 29, 2024
Koester's massive commentary on Revelation really is exemplary. As much as I've enjoyed both Beale and Aune (as well as others I've sampled to various degrees), Koester's has been my favorite in-depth, scholarly commentary on this confusing book.
What can I say? It's an academic commentary. It's really good, both in its verse to verse comments, as well as the various excurses he places in; the introduction is excellent and thoughtful. The only real thing I don't love is my constant warfare with the *arrangement* of the AYB Commentaries: it's hard sometimes to figure out what individual authors will place in the notes vs the commentary.
Still, if you're looking for a massive, academic commentary on Revelation, you'd be hard pressed to do better than this.
What can I say? It's an academic commentary. It's really good, both in its verse to verse comments, as well as the various excurses he places in; the introduction is excellent and thoughtful. The only real thing I don't love is my constant warfare with the *arrangement* of the AYB Commentaries: it's hard sometimes to figure out what individual authors will place in the notes vs the commentary.
Still, if you're looking for a massive, academic commentary on Revelation, you'd be hard pressed to do better than this.
November 27, 2018
There is a lot of great information in this book. The Anchor Bible format and audience is designed primarily for the scholar and not the general reader but Craig Koester does a good job of providing a wealth of material on the interpretation of Revelation in the context of the history of interpretation and in conversation with sources as diverse as ancient church fathers to dispensationalist authors like Timothy Lahaye.
March 21, 2024
The most stimulating and engaging commentary I’ve read on Revelation. Full of sane judgement and interpretation.
December 5, 2015
Very comprehensive. I especially enjoyed the detailed explanations of how interpretation of Revelation has changed through the centuries. There were some points that were repeated throughout the book which probably added a few pages to its already intimidating length, but since the book was probably intended to be used as a reference as well as a "read through" book, I overlooked it in my rating.
May 7, 2021
The amount of scholarship in this commentary is impressive. Don't let the high price tag scare you off, it's worth every penny. This is essentially a graduate level course in print form. Koester does a great job interacting with views from other scholars and provides an abundance of Greco-Roman and Jewish sources to help the reader understand how passages may have been understood within the original context. Koester takes the approach that Revelation was a message for the seven churches mentioned in Rev. 1 so its message must have relevance for them. Koester also gives great overviews of how Revelation has been interpreted within Christianity from the first century to today, providing insight as to how certain modern interpretations came to be. It is not a popular level commentary but aimed at the serious student or scholar. It's not for the faint of heart but it will richly reward those who put in the work to interact with the material. My go-to commentary for Revelation.
December 26, 2019
I would certainly put this commentary in the same tier as Beale and Aune. Very thorough. Koester reaches a few questionable conclusions but never without explaining the other views and providing the reasons for his own. As is the case with the Anchor series, Koester addresses the text phrases by phrase in "comments." After finishing the section, he returns to address its meaning. It can be a little choppy, not as bad as the WBC series, but I understand why they do it. The history of interpretation alone is worth the price of the book.
August 21, 2024
GREAT commentary! An absolute beast of a book (let the reader understand…) and Koester knocked it out of the park. Ridiculously well studied and sourced, pulling from some real modern greats (Beale, Bauckham, Aune, Etc.) and also demonstrating an understanding of interpretations from the Fathers to medieval scholasticism to the Reformers to modern interpreters.
Could have used a pinch more argumentation at a few spots, but hey, page counts are page counts. Necessary reading on the topic. Loved it.
Could have used a pinch more argumentation at a few spots, but hey, page counts are page counts. Necessary reading on the topic. Loved it.
May 23, 2022
Great commentary.
April 4, 2023
I never thought I would be so captivated by a nearly 1000 page commentary on Revelation, but this one did just that! Incredibly well written and executed.
May 9, 2023
As thorough as this commentary is, it is very readable. If you’re wanting to do a deep dive into Revelation you need this commentary.
May 1, 2018
Dense with information on Revelation and its interpretation, Koester tried hard to make it uninteresting.
November 28, 2015
Highly recommended. Koester's commentary is thorough and readable. If you are looking for something more brief, consider Revelation and the End of All Things, also by Koester.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews