Revelation (Anchor Yale Bible Commentary | AYBC)

by Craig R. Koester

Publisher:

Yale University Press

, 2014

Overview

In this landmark commentary, Craig R. Koester offers a comprehensive look at a powerful and controversial early Christian text, the book of Revelation. The author 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. Rather than viewing Revelation as world-negating, Koester focuses on its deep engagement with social, religious, and economic issues while addressing the book’s volatile history of interpretation. The result is a groundbreaking study that provides bold new insights and sets new directions for the continued appreciation of this text.

In the Logos edition, this commentary is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Provides verse-by-verse commentary on the text
• Presents the reader with historical background, including analysis of authorship and dating
• Features an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary literature

Contents

• History of Interpretation and Influence
• Historical Issues
• Social Setting of Revelation
• Literary Aspects
• Rhetorical Aspects
• Text of Revelation

Top Highlights

“But his major contribution was observing that Revelation’s visions did not unfold in a linear way. Instead, they repeated the same message multiple times. The trumpet plagues gave a warning briefly, and the bowl plagues restated that warning more completely. Therefore, people were not to look for a sequential outline of future events in Revelation but were to ask about its underlying meaning (In Apoc. 8.2). The idea that Revelation recapitulates the same message multiple times would inform commentaries on the book until the thirteenth century, and it would influence interpreters again beginning in the mid-twentieth century.” (Page 33)

“The older pattern of reading Revelation as an outline of history was generally abandoned, and the main options were to read it either as a prediction of the cataclysmic end of the present age or as a book that encouraged first-century Christians living under Roman rule.” (Page 58)

“From a literary perspective, however, the three-and-a-half-year period symbolizes the time from Christ’s exaltation until his second coming.” (Page 547)

“For the interpretation of Revelation, it is enough to associate the views of the Nicolaitans with those of the people at Pergamum and Thyatira, who were willing to eat meat from offerings made to Greco-Roman deities in most if not all circumstances.” (Page 264)

“Revelation can best be read as a series of six vision cycles, which are framed by an introduction and conclusion.” (Page 112)

Product Details

• Title: Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary
• Author: Craig R. Koester
• Series: Anchor Yale Bible
• Volume: 38A
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Print Publication Date: 2014
• Logos Release Date: 2015
• Pages: 924
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. Revelation › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780300144888, 9780300216912, 0300144881, 0300216912
• Resource ID: LLS:ANCHOR87REVKOE
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-09-24T16:16:25Z

About Craig R. Koester

Craig R. Koester is Professor Emeritus and holds the Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He earned his B.A. from Saint Olaf College, his M.Div. from Luther Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary, New York. Before joining the seminary faculty in 1986, he served several years in parish ministry. In 2012 he was appointed to the Nasby Chair, and between 2013–2018 he served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean.

Koester is well known for his engaging pedagogy. He designed a “Genesis to Revelation” course that integrates visuals, drama, and music to lead students through the Bible’s overarching narrative. He also developed publicly accessible courses via the Great Courses series, including Apocalypse: Controversies and Meaning in Western History and Reading Biblical Literature: Genesis to Revelation.

In his scholarship, Koester has made major contributions to biblical interpretation, especially in Johannine literature and Revelation. His works include commentaries on Hebrews and Revelation in the Anchor Yale series, Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel, and The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel. He has also served as associate editor for New Testament Studies, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, and Journal for the Study of the New Testament, and is active in international scholarly forums.

Throughout his career, Koester has balanced deep academic engagement with public outreach—participating in church conferences, presiding in seminary leadership, and contributing to the design of narrative lectionary resources.