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The New International Commentary on the New Testament
The Book of Revelation
This contribution to The New International Commentary on the New Testament is a revision of Robert Mounce's original entry on the book of Revelation and reflects more than twenty additional years of mature thought and the latest in scholarship.
492 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 27, 2022
Scholarly. Insightful. Helpful.
March 6, 2021
Mounce is a good writer. He turns a good phrase. And there is nothing particularly wrong with this commentary. But I couldn't help but feel that this book didn't need to be written. It is pretty unimaginative. Turn instead, I think, to Beale, or Paul.
January 18, 2020
The late Robert Mounce amasses a supreme effort of scholarship to bring together the diverse opinions of the most significant and divisive books in the biblical canon, the Book of Revelation according to John.
The excursis at the outset is helpful by outlining key features of the book. Namely this is conveyed through discussion of the nature of apocalyptic literature in the 1st century, authorship, dating of the book, the manner in which it was circulated and received by the early church, the main approaches to interpreting the book (four are mentioned but really there are more if you dig deeper), structure in general, the analysis and a select bibliography (which goes on for 12 pages, hardly selective... but the nature of the topic may indicate the sheer scale of diverging opinions on a most important and neglected book.
The exposition itself is strong in the sheer scale of literature covered. However, I feel the author's own opinions are naturally evident at times. On some verses (40% or so), there are tenuous views which are included which are inconsequential and could have been left out of the discussion entirely. But it is the nature of the book that may be leading to the inclusion of spurious readings. It is good to know what the meaning is and is not.
All in all, a splendid and accessible account for those with little working knowledge of the original biblical languages. It has been most helpful and I feel I have gathered material of worth for a general in depth discussion.
The excursis at the outset is helpful by outlining key features of the book. Namely this is conveyed through discussion of the nature of apocalyptic literature in the 1st century, authorship, dating of the book, the manner in which it was circulated and received by the early church, the main approaches to interpreting the book (four are mentioned but really there are more if you dig deeper), structure in general, the analysis and a select bibliography (which goes on for 12 pages, hardly selective... but the nature of the topic may indicate the sheer scale of diverging opinions on a most important and neglected book.
The exposition itself is strong in the sheer scale of literature covered. However, I feel the author's own opinions are naturally evident at times. On some verses (40% or so), there are tenuous views which are included which are inconsequential and could have been left out of the discussion entirely. But it is the nature of the book that may be leading to the inclusion of spurious readings. It is good to know what the meaning is and is not.
All in all, a splendid and accessible account for those with little working knowledge of the original biblical languages. It has been most helpful and I feel I have gathered material of worth for a general in depth discussion.
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June 17, 2012He does a good job of summarizing a few modern scholars' viewpoints before giving his own. At some points I think his judgment is quite poor. E.g. he is completely unpersuaded that 666 is the number of Nero and simply states it will have to remain a mystery. I feel like at this stage in the game if you don't think it is Nero you have to have a very compelling alternative. He also never gives the Nero Redivivus legend a fair shake in my opinion.
The author is a fundamentalist so I think that colors many of his judgments. The book is still quite scholarly and explains views anathema to fundamentalism dispassionately but it always comes down on the fundamentalist side.
What was a little irritating to me, not being of the fundamentalist persuasion, was his cavalier attitude towards Revelation's violence. He called one scholar's point of view, that the birds feasting on God's enemies was a bloodthirsty picture, "squeamish." The plus side of this is that he didn't try to force John to mean something he didn't in fact mean to make him sound less bloodthirsty.
There is a good amount of Greek (and some Hebrew) in the footnotes, which is nice if you're into that sort of thing. Some footnotes were incredibly boring but that is par for the course.
The author is a fundamentalist so I think that colors many of his judgments. The book is still quite scholarly and explains views anathema to fundamentalism dispassionately but it always comes down on the fundamentalist side.
What was a little irritating to me, not being of the fundamentalist persuasion, was his cavalier attitude towards Revelation's violence. He called one scholar's point of view, that the birds feasting on God's enemies was a bloodthirsty picture, "squeamish." The plus side of this is that he didn't try to force John to mean something he didn't in fact mean to make him sound less bloodthirsty.
There is a good amount of Greek (and some Hebrew) in the footnotes, which is nice if you're into that sort of thing. Some footnotes were incredibly boring but that is par for the course.
March 16, 2009
It took me almost a year, but I finally finished it! I would suggest this commentary to EVERYONE!!! The hidden truths and figurative language are unraveled through this amazing book! Great for anyone with questions on what Revelation is all about. Very systematic approach.
April 27, 2012
Currently reading through six commentaries on Revelation as well as watching some lectures by my former Professor Dr Robert Mulholland. Must admit I am not so impressed by Mounce. I may change my rating as time goes on.
Beale's Commentary is by far superior. And Mulholland's lectures also.
Beale's Commentary is by far superior. And Mulholland's lectures also.
February 15, 2023
Revelation
Robert H. Mounce
Revelation barely made it into Luther’s German Bible Translation. Few passages from the “book” are heard read on Sundays.
The people for whom it was written lived in a world that was flat where heaven was up there and the fiery depths of hell were below. First century Christians lived in expectation of a second coming, a resurrection of the dead, a final judgment and reception of the faithful into heaven while the unfaithful and in particular those that persecuted the believers were judged and cast into the fiery pit.
This set of apocalyptic visions set out to describe how this was to come about. Too many have taken this all literally.
The book in question is a scholarly commentary that gives context to the text and helps modern readers learn what it means for them.
Robert H. Mounce
Revelation barely made it into Luther’s German Bible Translation. Few passages from the “book” are heard read on Sundays.
The people for whom it was written lived in a world that was flat where heaven was up there and the fiery depths of hell were below. First century Christians lived in expectation of a second coming, a resurrection of the dead, a final judgment and reception of the faithful into heaven while the unfaithful and in particular those that persecuted the believers were judged and cast into the fiery pit.
This set of apocalyptic visions set out to describe how this was to come about. Too many have taken this all literally.
The book in question is a scholarly commentary that gives context to the text and helps modern readers learn what it means for them.
December 25, 2021
A delight. Scholarly, sensible, sound in doctrine and persuasive. While I think all of the different perspectives on Revelation have something to offer, Mounce “puts it all together” for me, drawing on Ladd’s best ideas for a pre-millennialism that stands apart from the sensationalism and confusion of dispensational theology, and yet understands the end of all things as deeply relevant to present life. His respectful & yet form critiques of contrary perspectives resonate with me strongly on both a rational and intuitive level. I’ll be coming back to this one.
December 22, 2019
I'm not reviewing the edition but the book of Revelation itself.
The book wasn't written by the apostle John, but by another John, and is the writing of a person with a mental disorder and delusions of the end of the world. It seems this book comes from a different dimension and is an attack of the demonic to that which is holy. Humanity would be better off if this book were retired from the Bible.
The book wasn't written by the apostle John, but by another John, and is the writing of a person with a mental disorder and delusions of the end of the world. It seems this book comes from a different dimension and is an attack of the demonic to that which is holy. Humanity would be better off if this book were retired from the Bible.
March 21, 2020
A helpful commentary on Rev. Mounce has a very balanced approach to Rev. in that he give short alternative interpretations then presents his own. It is obvious from the beginning of the book that he is a premillennialist which is helpful when it comes to understanding his methodology. Overall I would agree with his view but here and there I would disagree. Helpful though if you want to read a clear, short, and honest view of Rev.
September 18, 2019
This book is very excellent.
September 20, 2020
Informative
Very informative. Like most commentaries it's also very academic. Must read for all Christians new to apocalyptic literature-- Revelation isn't hard to understand if you understand the background and genre.
Very informative. Like most commentaries it's also very academic. Must read for all Christians new to apocalyptic literature-- Revelation isn't hard to understand if you understand the background and genre.
July 1, 2017
Mounce gives a scholarly and reasonable analysis of the Book of Revelation. Careful exegesis and research which will yield valuable insight to serious Bible students.
December 23, 2020
Thoroughly excellent throughout, Mounce's contribution not only fits his Theology/Eschatology but provides a mildly technical look at Revelation.
April 20, 2021
this is a good book
June 20, 2023
Rather nebulous and inconclusive, this commentary completely avoids any discussion about the fall of Jerusalem.
August 20, 2016
This is a very good commentary but it just seems to hit the highlights in certain parts of the book but is very "in-depth" in other parts. Personally, I prefer The Book of Revelation by Gregory Beale in the New International Greek Testament Commentary series to this commentary even though I disagree with Beale's perspective on a few points. Mounce's work covers Revelation from a conservative eclectic view and is great as a first commentary on Revelation. I found his scholarship to be even-handed and straight "to the point."
January 18, 2016
This is my favorite commentary on the Book of Revelation. Though I disagree with Mounce on his (historic pre-) millennial viewpoint, I learned more from this commentary than I did from those whom I am more closely aligned theologically.
April 20, 2007
level-headed. bad writing style. commentaries are the worst kind of places for good writings. in that way, it was an excellent commentary.
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April 17, 2009The Book of Revelation (New International Commentary on the New Testament) by Robert H. Mounce (?)
August 19, 2015
An excellent addition to any Johannine library.
April 6, 2016
A bit Dispensational at times for my taste. But scholarship is great! Good solid exegetical work.
December 8, 2016
Well written. Though I didn't agree with all his positions, Mounce wrote with calmness and conviction.
April 12, 2014
A must read for sermon prep work in Revelation!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews