Justin J. Evans

Biblical Commentaries (top picks)

My top recommendation for each book of the Bible is indicated with an asterisk (*).

Click here to skip ahead to the postface.

OLD TESTAMENT

PENTATEUCH

Genesis

  • Arnold, Bill T. Genesis. New Cambridge Bible Commentary. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
  • O’Connor, Kathleen M. Genesis. SHBC. 2 vols. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2018-2020. 1: 2:
  • *Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis. WBC. 2 vols. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1987-1994. 1+2:

Exodus

  • Childs, Brevard S. The Book of Exodus: A Critical, Theological Commentary. OTL. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1974.
  • Propp, William E. Exodus. AB. 2 vols. New York, NY: Doubleday, 1999-2006. 1: 2:
  • *Stuart, Douglas K. Exodus. NAC. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2006.

Leviticus

  • *Milgrom, Jacob. Leviticus. AB. 3 vols. New York, NY: Doubleday, 1991-2001. 1: 2: 3:
  • Wenham, Gordon J. The Book of Leviticus. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1979.

Numbers

  • *Ashley, Timothy R. The Book of Numbers. 2nd ed. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2022.
  • Awabdy, Mark A. Numbers: An Exegetical & Theological Bible Commentary. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Pentateuch. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023.

Deuteronomy

  • *Craigie, Peter C. The Book of Deuteronomy. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1976.
  • McConville, J. Gordon. Deuteronomy. ApOTC. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002.
HISTORICAL BOOKS

Joshua

  • Hawk, L. Daniel. Joshua. Berit Olam: Studies in Hebrew Narrative & Poetry. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2001.
  • *Pitkänen, Pekka M. A. Joshua. ApOTC. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2010.
  • Sharp, Carolyn J. Joshua. SHBC. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2019.

Judges

  • *Block, Daniel I. Judges, Ruth. NAC. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1999.
  • Boda, Mark J. Judges. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2022.

Ruth

  • Hawk, L. Daniel. Ruth. ApOTC. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2015.
  • *Lau, Peter H. W. The Book of Ruth. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2023.

I & II Samuel

  • Sweeney, Marvin A. 1-2 Samuel. New Cambridge Bible Commentary. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2023.
  • *Tsumura, David Toshio. The First and Second Books of Samuel. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007-2019. 1: 2:

I & II Kings

  • Provan, Iain W. 1 & 2 Kings. NIBCOT. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1993. Repr., Understanding the Bible Commentary Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2012.
  • *Wray Beal, Lisa M. 1 & 2 Kings. ApOTC. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2014.

I & II Chronicles

  • Klein, Ralph W. 1 & 2 Chronicles. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2006-2012. 1: 2:
  • *Merrill, Eugene H. A Commentary on 1 & 2 Chronicles. Kregel Exegetical Library. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2015.

Ezra & Nehemiah

  • Eskenazi, Tamara Cohn. Ezra. AB. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2023.
  • *Harrington, Hannah K. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2022.
  • Williamson, H. G. M. Ezra/Nehemiah. WBC. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1985.

Esther

  • *Bush, Frederic W. Ruth, Esther. WBC. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1996.
  • Phillips, Elaine. “Esther.” Pages 570-675 in 1 Chronicles – Job. Eds. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland. Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.
PSALMS & WISDOM LITERATURE

Job

  • *Longman III, Tremper. Job. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Wisdom & Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012.
  • Webb, Barry G. Job. Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic, 2023.

Psalms

  • Goldingay, John. Psalms. 3 vols. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Wisdom and Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2006-2008.
  • *VanGemeren, Willem A. Psalms. Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.

Proverbs

  • Fox, Michael V. Proverbs. 2 vols. AB. New York, NY: Doubleday; New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2000-2009.
  • *Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs. 2 vols. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004.

Ecclesiastes

  • Bartholomew, Craig G. Ecclesiastes. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Wisdom and Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.
  • *Longman III, Tremper. The Book of Ecclesiastes. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1997.

Song of Songs

  • *Hess, Richard S. Song of Songs. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Wisdom and Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005.
  • Longman, Tremper, III. Song of Songs. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001.
  • Murphy, Roland E. The Song of Songs. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1990.
PROPHETS

Isaiah

  • McConville, J. Gordon. Isaiah. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament: Prophetic Books. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023.
  • *Oswalt, John N. The Book of Isaiah. 2 vols. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1986-98.
  • Webb, Barry G. The Message of Isaiah. Rev. ed. Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2023.

Jeremiah

  • Goldingay, John. Jeremiah. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2021.
  • Holladay, William L. Jeremiah. 2 vols. Hermeneia, Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1986-89.
  • *Stulman, Louis. Jeremiah. AOTC. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2005.

Lamentations

  • *Goldingay, John. Lamentation. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2022.
  • O’Connor, Kathleen M. Lamentations and the Tears of the World. Ossining, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.
  • Wright, Christopher J. H. The Message of Lamentations. Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2015.

Ezekiel

  • *Block, Daniel I. The Book of Ezekiel. 2 vols. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1997.
  • Odell, Margaret S. Ezekiel. SHBC. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2005.
  • Zimmerli, Walther. Ezekiel. 2 vols. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1979-1983.

Daniel

  • Collins, John J. Daniel. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1993.
  • Goldingay, John. Daniel. Rev. ed. WBC. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2019.
  • *Widder, Wendy. Daniel. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2023.

Hosea

  • *Dearman, J. Andrew. The Book of Hosea. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2010.
  • Hwang, Jerry. Hosea. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2021.
  • Stuart, Douglas. Hosea—Jonah. WBC. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1987.

Joel

  • Nogalski, James D. The Books of Joel, Obadiah, and Jonah. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2023.
  • *Stuart, Douglas. Hosea—Jonah. Word Biblical Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1987.

Amos

  • *Carroll R., M. Daniel. The Book of Amos. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2020.
  • Paul, Shalom M. Amos. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1990.

Obadiah

  • *Block, Daniel I. Obadiah. 2nd ed. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017.
  • Phillips, Elaine A. Obadiah, Jonah & Micah. ApOTC. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2022.
  • Raabe, Paul R. Obadiah. AB. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1996.

Jonah

  • Nogalski, James D. The Books of Joel, Obadiah, and Jonah. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2023.
  • *Phillips, Elaine A. Obadiah, Jonah & Micah. ApOTC. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2022.

Micah

  • Phillips, Elaine A. Obadiah, Jonah & Micah. ApOTC. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2022.
  • *Waltke, Bruce K. A Commentary on Micah. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007.

Nahum

  • Longman III, Tremper, “Nahum.” Pages 765-829 in The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary. Edited by Thomas E. McComiskey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1992. Repr., Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.
  • *Renz, Thomas. The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2021.

Habakkuk

  • Renz, Thomas. The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2021.
  • *Turner, Kenneth. Habakkuk: A Discourse Analysis of the Hebrew Text. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2023.

Zephaniah

  • *Renz, Thomas. The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2021.
  • Sweeney, Marvin A. Zephaniah: A Commentary. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.

Haggai

  • *Jacobs, Mignon R. The Books of Haggai and Malachi. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018.
  • Petterson, Anthony R. Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi. ApOTC. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2015.

Zechariah

  • *Boda, Mark J. The Book of Zechariah. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2016.
  • Petterson, Anthony R. Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi. ApOTC. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2015.

Malachi

  • Hill, Andrew E. Malachi. AB. New York, NY: Doubleday, 1998.
  • *Jacobs, Mignon R. The Books of Haggai and Malachi. NICOT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018.

NEW TESTAMENT

GOSPELS + ACTS

Matthew

  • *France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007.
  • Keener, Craig S. A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999.

Mark

  • Stein, Robert H. Mark. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.
  • Strauss, Mark L. Mark. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014.

Luke

  • Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1997.
  • *Levine, Amy-Jill and Ben Witherington, III. The Gospel of Luke. New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018.

John

  • Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of John: A Commentary. 2 vols. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2003.
  • *Michaels, J. Ramsey. The Gospel of John. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2010.

Acts

  • Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. Acts. AOTC. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2003.
  • Keener, Craig S. Acts: An Exegetical Commentary. 4 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012-2015. 1-4:
  • *Keener, Craig S. Acts. New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020.
PAULINE EPISTLES + HEBREWS

Romans

  • *Gorman, Michael J. Romans: A Theological and Pastoral Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2022.
  • Moo, Douglas J. The Letter to the Romans. 2nd ed. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018.

I Corinthians

  • *Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Rev. ed. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2014.
  • Gardner, Paul D. 1 Corinthians. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018.
  • Keener, Craig S. 1-2 Corinthians. New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.

II Corinthians

  • *Guthrie, George H. 2 Corinthians. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015.
  • Keener, Craig S. 1-2 Corinthians. New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Galatians

  • deSilva, David A. The Letter to the Galatians. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018.
  • *Fee, Gordon D. Galatians: A Pentecostal Commentary. Pentecostal Commentary Series. Blandford Forum: Dec Publishing, 2008.
  • Keener, Craig S. Galatians: A Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018.

Ephesians

  • Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.
  • *Cohick, Lynn H. The Letter to the Ephesians. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2020.

Philippians

  • *Fee, Gordon D. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1995.
  • Silva, Moisés. Philippians. 2nd ed. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005.

Colossians

  • Beale, G. K. Colossians and Philemon. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019.
  • *McKnight, Scot. The Letter to the Colossians. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018.

I & II Thessalonians

  • Green, Gene L. The Letters to the Thessalonians. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.
  • Weima, Jeffrey A. D. 1-2 Thessalonians. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014.

I & II Timothy

  • Mounce, William D. Pastoral Epistles. WBC. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2000.
  • *Towner, Philip H. The Letters to Timothy and Titus. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2006.

Titus

  • Mounce, William D. Pastoral Epistles. WBC. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2000.
  • *Towner, Philip H. The Letters to Timothy and Titus. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2006.

Philemon

  • Beale, G. K. Colossians and Philemon. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019.
  • *McKnight, Scot. The Letter to Philemon. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2017.

Hebrews

  • *Cockerill, Gareth Lee. The Epistle to the Hebrews. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2012.
  • Lane, William L. Hebrews. 2 vols. WBC. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991. 1: 2:
CATHOLIC EPISTLES

James

  • Blomberg, Craig L. and Mariam J. Kamell. James. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.
  • *Moo, Douglas J. The Letter of James. 2nd ed. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2021.

I Peter

  • Jobes, Karen H. 1 Peter. 2nd ed. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2022.
  • *Keener, Craig S. 1 Peter: A Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2021.

II Peter / Jude

  • *Frey, Jörg. The Letter of Jude and the Second Letter of Peter: A Theological Commentary. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2018.
  • Green, Gene L. Jude and 2 Peter. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008.

I, II & III John

  • *Jobes, Karen H. 1, 2, and 3 John. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014.
  • Yarbrough, Robert W. 1-3 John. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008.

Jude

  • See II Peter / Jude, above
THE REVELATION

The Revelation

  • *Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation. NIGTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1998.
  • Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.

This list of commentaries are my top recommendations for those who are preaching from and teaching about the Bible in ministry contexts. I prioritized commentaries that focused on exegetical analysis over sermon illustrations. I limited my selections to two or three options for each book (although there are many other excellent choices that could have also been included). If you are conducting an in-depth analysis, this bibliography should help to get you started.

I encourage those entering ministry to give some strategic thought to building a personal library that fits your budget. It can be daunting to get started, as the options available can be overwhelming. My first suggestion is to teach and preach regularly in series. Select a single book of the Bible and commit to leading people through that book over a number of consecutive weeks or months. As finances allow, buy one or two carefully selected commentaries each time you start a new series to aid in your preparations. It will take time, but you will eventually build a sizable and useful personal library.

I have seen many young ministers buy large numbers of books that are of poor quality, probably because they are relatively inexpensive. While I understand financial limitations, I would urge some caution. Focus on quality (within your means). It is far better to have a small library of high-quality resources than a large library full of junk. There are far too many excellent options to justify wasting our time with mediocrity.

I generally advise against buying sets of commentaries. It’s often better to buy the individual volumes needed, as the quality of a commentary set is often uneven. Even so, sometimes sets can be purchased at an attractive price. You could probably get a sense of which sets I would choose based on which ones frequently appear on the list above. I you could only choose one set to purchase, I would recommend the Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Revised.

Some may wish to build their library digitally. There are pros and cons to this. Some books can be purchased individually (such as on kindle), and some can be purchased as part of a Bible software program. My personal preference and recommendation, for those wanting to build a digital library, is to use Accordance Bible Software.

[Updated November 2023]