It is the goal of the Exegetical Department of Concordia Theological Seminary to not only provide direction to students in the classroom setting, but to also offer direction to any student, pastor, or layperson who seeks guidance. Below are listed the commentaries which the exegetical faculty at this seminary recommend as edifying aids to the study of Holy Scripture. The professor who recommends the particular book is named under each citation. This does not mean that the theology in every book is endorsed completely by the professor or this seminary. But each title is recommended for a particular reason and methodology. These rationales are listed with each suggested commentary. May the Lord Bless your studies and may His Spirit ever teach the Church His holy ways.

Mark

Marcus, Joel. Mark 1-8. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Joel Marcus has written what is in some regards the best modern-day commentary (or first part of a commentary) on the gospel of Mark. His particular strength is in showing how Mark is a sophisticated theologian, who masterfully uses the Old Testament. Marcus is not as strong in showing Mark's connections to the New Testament church, but he is better than most. For sheer originality of thought, this is the commentary I would purchase. (Peter J. Scaer)

Mann, C.S. Mark. New York: Doubleday, 1986. This fine commentary is out of print, but for its introduction alone, it is worth hunting down. Mann was one of the first major scholars to challenge the priority of Mark. He sees the second gospel as an epitome or distillation of Matthew and Luke. Mann's discussion of redaction criticism and the relationship between the synoptic gospels is enlightening, though the rest of the commentary is less so. (Peter J. Scaer)

France, R.T. Mark. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. France's commentary is the solid work of a seasoned evangelical scholar. His knowledge and ease in handling the texts is evident throughout. As one might expect, he too quickly dismisses the churchly and sacramental import of the text. Still, he is worth consulting. (Peter J. Scaer)

Witherington III, Ben. The Gospel of Mark. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. Perhaps no person has written more on New Testament topics than Ben Witherington. This is not necessarily a good thing. Still, there can be no doubt that Witherington does his homework, and gives the reader a good feel for what folks are saying about the second gospel. (Peter J. Scaer)

Black, Clifton C. Mark: Images of an Apostolic Interpreter. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001. First, we should note that this is NOT a commentary on the second gospel, but upon the writer of the second gospel. Black offers a fascinating look into the personality of Mark, and his reputation throughout church history. If I were teaching a Bible class on Mark, I would want to make use of this book. (Peter J. Scaer)

Acts

Conzelmann, Hans. Acts of the Apostles. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1987. Though the reader should be wary of Conzelmann's liberal theology, nevertheless, he has good insights into the book of Acts, especially as it relates to the theology of Luke. He was pioneer in arguing that Luke-Acts is really a two-part work. (Peter J. Scaer)

Fitzmyer, Joseph. The Acts of the Apostles. New York: Doubleday, 1998. Fitzmyer has written one of the classic commentaries on Luke, and this work, though not quite of the same caliber, should not be missed. (Peter J. Scaer)

Hamer, Colin J. The Book of Acts in the Setting of Hellenistic History. Tubingen: J.C.B. Mohr, 1989. This is the kind of book that will help the commentator recognize the Greco-Roman background of Acts. Given the Greco-Roman setting of Acts, this book is invaluable. (Peter J. Scaer)

Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Acts of the Apostles. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1992. This is a fairly conservative, solid Catholic commentary. Johnson is good at showing how the Holy Spirit works within the life of the church. As a Catholic scholar, he is, not surprisingly, sensitive to Luke's portrayal of the church and sacraments. (Peter J. Scaer)

Talbert, Charles. Reading Acts: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles. New York: Crossroad Publishing, 1997. Talbert again is a good scholar, who reads the book of Acts with literary sensitivity. Indeed, the theology of Acts cannot be read without paying attention to the story telling ability of Luke. (Peter J. Scaer)

Witherington, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdman's, 1998. Witherington is a very thorough, evangelical scholar. He is not very original, and, worse, he often misses the churchly and sacramental import of a passage. Still, he can be good when defending the historicity of a certain passage. (Peter J. Scaer)

I Corinthians

Lockwood, Gregory. 1 Corinthians. Saint Louis: CPH, 2000. Lockwood is a steady hand, who handles the thorny issues of 1 Corinthians with a reasoned and seasoned judgment. Having read his commentary, the reader will recognize that the author has taught this book as a course many times. Lockwood is especially adept at speaking about the issues of women's role in the church. (Peter J. Scaer)

Hays, Richard. First Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987. Richard Hays is one of the more interesting scholars out there. Though this commentary reflects many of the tendencies of American Protestantism, it is worthy purchasing and reading. Written from a very pastoral perspective, Hays offers many fresh insights into the epistle. (Peter J. Scaer)

Thistleton, Anthony. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. Thistleton is one of the towering exegetes of our day, and as one might expect, this volume is thoroughly researched, and thoughtfully written. The author is especially strong in providing the Biblical and cultural background for many of the difficulties within the Corinthian congregation. Thistleton's theological judgment is, for better and worse, consistently Protestant. On the plus side, at the end of each section, Thistleton provides a survey of what theologians and church fathers have had to say about 1 Corinthians throughout the ages. This is most helpful. For anyone who would like to do serious work in this epistle Thistleton's commentary is a must. (Peter J. Scaer)

Pastoral Epistles

Dibelius, Martin and Hans Conzelmann. The Pastoral Epistles. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1972. This commentary, though "critical" and somewhat dated, is still highly useful. Even when we disagree with the authors' conclusions, it is difficult to deny their erudition. For a better understanding of the Pastoral Epistles as they relate to the Greco-Roman world, this commentary is valuable. (Peter J. Scaer)

Guthrie, Donald. The Pastoral Epistles. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. This compact and highly readable commentary offers a balanced perspective on the Pastoral Epistles. Guthrie's volume is not particularly helpful for scholarly work, but does give good insight as a pastor prepares for Bible Study on these epistles. (Peter J. Scaer)

Johnson, Luke Timothy. The First and Second Letters to Timothy. New York: Doubleday, 2001. Johnson admirably takes into consideration both scholarly and churchly concerns. He argues persuasively for Pauline authorship and, unlike many other modern scholars, is not dismissive of the world-view espoused by these epistles. Johnson is also very familiar with the Greco-Roman background of the epistle; his judgments are typically fair-minded and reasonable. (Peter J. Scaer)

Oden, Thomas. First and Second Timothy and Titus. Louisville: John Knox Press, 1989. From a pastoral perspective, this is among the finest commentaries on the pastoral epistles. It differs from others in that he arranges his material thematically and may serve well in devotional settings. Oden's particular strength is his understanding of himself as a pastor writing within the tradition of the church. Quotations from the church fathers and Reformation leaders are sprinkled liberally throughout the work. As with many of the other commentaries, Oden equivocates when it comes to the issues of women's leadership in the church. (Peter J. Scaer)

Witherington, Ben. Letters and Homilies for Hellenized Christians: Volume 1. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2006. Witherington offers a surprisingly interesting commentary on the Pastoral Epistles, as well as the epistles of John. His discussion on the authorship of the Pastoral Epistles is excellent. Especially worthwhile is his suggestion that some of the distinctive features of these epistles are due to the style and writing of Luke, who served as Paul's assistant. (Peter J. Scaer)

Revelation

Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation. The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999. This is a very thorough and technical study of the Greek text, with much attention given to the OT background in Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and Isaiah. It also contains an amazingly thorough engagement of secondary literature through 1997. (Gieschen)

Brighton, Louis. Revelation. Concordia Commentary. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1999. This is a very traditional, theological interpretation of the Greek text of Revelation by a seasoned Lutheran professor. Special attention is given to early commentaries on Revelation. Significant study is given to the textual history and variants. It is not strong on the worship and sacramental content of Revelation. (Gieschen)

Prigent, Pierre. Commentary on the Apocalypse of St. John. Translated by Wendy Pradels. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2001. This commentary is a great blend of terse scholarly interpretation of the Greek text of Revelation with a refreshing ecclesial focus that is sensitive to the worship, baptismal, and eucharistic content of this book. (Gieschen)

Strelan, John G. Where earth meets heaven: A Commentary on Revelation. Adelaide: Openbook, 1994. A solid, non-technical, commentary on the NRSV English text written by a Lutheran for laity. Very strong on worship and christology in Revelation. A great commentary for a church library! (Gieschen)

Weinrich, William C., editor. Revelation. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, New Testament XII. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2005. A marvelous compilation of patristic commentary on the book of Revelation by a seasoned Lutheran patristics scholar. It contains much theological exegesis with an ecclesial focus. (Gieschen)