The Revelation to John: A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Apocalypse

by Stephen S. Smalley

Overview

The Revelation to John by Stephen Smalley is a magisterial interpretation of John's Apocalypse as a grand drama, which can only be properly understood in light of John's Gospel and letters and in the context of the Johannine community. As such, it offers the reader a significantly different approach to this enigmatic text than that offered by most contemporary commentaries. Working directly from the Greek text, Smalley offers a masterful analysis of the critical and literary dimensions of the Apocalypse for students and scholars alike.Contents include

• an in-depth, critical analysis of the Greek text of Revelation
• a wealth of scholarly interaction with other commentaries and interpretations of Revelation
• a canonical assessment of Revelation in light of other Johannine texts
• a historical understanding of Revelation in the context of the Johannine community
• an interpretation of Revelation as cosmic drama

Here is a fresh contribution to the scholarly study of this captivating but often perplexing book of the Bible. Smalley demonstrates that the Apocalypse speaks directly to any situation in any age and offers a portrait of God's loving justice that is relevant to our own society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781514014929
Publisher:	IVP Academic
Publication date:	10/07/2025
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	633

About the Author

Stephen S. Smalley (Ph.D., Cambridge) is an internationally recognized Johannine scholar and Dean Emeritus of Chester Cathedral, England. His previous books include Christ and Spirit in the New Testament, John: Evangelist and Interpreter, Thunder and Love: John's Revelation and John's Community and 1, 2, 3 John in the Word Biblical Commentary.

Stephen S. Smalley (Ph.D., Cambridge) is an internationally recognized Johannine scholar and Dean Emeritus of Chester Cathedral, England. His previous books include Christ and Spirit in the New Testament, John: Evangelist and Interpreter, Thunder and Love: John's Revelation and John's Community and 1, 2, 3 John in the Word Biblical Commentary.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Abbreviations
Introduction
The Revelation to John
Prologue: The Oracle Is Disclosed (1.1-8)
Act 1: Creation, and Salvation Through Judgment (1.9--11.19)
Scene 1: Seven Oracles (1.9--3.22)
Interval: Adoration in Heaven's Court: God and His Christ (4.1--5.14)
Scene 2: Seven Seals (6.1-17)
Interval: The Church Protected (7.1-17)
Scene 3: Seven Trumpets (8.1--9.21)
Interval: God's Sovereignty (10.1--11.19)
Act 2: Salvation Through Judgment, and New Creation (12.1-- 22.17)
Scene 4: Seven Signs (12.1--14.20)
Interval: A New Exodus (15.1-8)
Scene 5: Seven Bowls (16.1-21)
Interval: The Fall of Babylon (17.1--18.24)
Scene 6: Seven Visions (19.1--20.15)
Interval: Prelude to the Final Scene (21.1)
Scene 7: Seven Prophecies (21.2--22.17)
Epilogue: The Oracle Is Complete (22.18-21)
Bibliography
Indexes

Editorial Reviews

"An erudite and comprehensive work of truly impressive biblical scholarship, The Revelation to John: A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Apocalypse is a highly recommended core addition to personal, academic, and seminarian New Testament Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists."

James A. Cox