The Revelation of John Volume 1, Revised Edition

New Daily Study Bible

by William Barclay

In this and its companion volume, Dr. Barclay makes the most difficult book in the Bible easier to understand. In his introduction he examines areas such as the characterstics of apocalyptic literature and the nature of Caesar worship, John was, as Dr. Barclay shows, "soaked and saturated" in the Old Testament, and most of the imagery he employs is drawn from that source. Dr. Barclay does more than clarify the meaning of the imagery. His commentary covers many interesting subjects, such as the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the probable facts about John exile on the island, and the meaning of Christ's knocking at the door.

Genres: Christian, Reference, Nonfiction, Religion, Biblical Studies, Christianity, Church

Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

WIlliam Barclay was a Scottish author, radio and television presenter, Church of Scotland minister, and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow. He wrote a popular set of Bible commentaries on the New Testament that sold 1.5 million copies.

Reviews

[Julie Davis]

I'm a real fan of William Barclay's commentaries on the New Testament books. This look at Revelations is superb because of all the necessary context for this apocalyptic novel. We've lost the understanding of the genre and Barclay puts us on solid ground to get the most out of it.

In general, Barclay is a gold mine of information about the original meaning of Greek and Hebrew words (books use his own translations) and customs. Also, his reflections on everyday life and faith are usually very inspiring and he tells many a story that has one reflecting about one's own life.

However, I have to always include this caveat when mentioning William Barclay ... his theology can be very wonky if you are Catholic. For example, his commentary on the gospels with nativity stories include a number of reasons Jesus' virgin birth didn't necessarily have to be virgin. Sorry. That's really nonnegotiable. He also often includes pointed commentary about why Roman Catholic teachings are wrong. So there's that ...

But if one reads with a knowledgeable eye, Barclay's work is really wonderful.

NOTE: the recently revised versions (1990s and beyond) have been heavily edited to be more politically correct. I'm not sure what that has done to Barclay's original work so I just go with the second revision, done under Barclay's eye. I'm not so thin skinned that I can't stand a little old fashionedness.

[Glenn Hopp]

William Barclay’s Bible commentaries are good at providing engaging background information and devotional remarks.

[Capuchin Vidyabhavan]

feel good

[Stefan Grieve]

Interesting and readable. Although there is an emphasis on the Book of Enoch, a non-canonical biblical book, I wasn't sure about the undue necessity of ample admission.

[Ashley]

Barclay never disappoints in his thorough examination of history, linguistics, and culture. He inserts poetry and theological evolution of thought flawlessly. One of my favorite "revelations" in this study was the idea that Christians were the first atheists. Oh, the irony. Martyred by Romans for their "atheism" because they did not believe in the Roman pantheon or emperor worship and therefore refused to pay the tribute Rome felt it was due and because others could not understand a worship which had no images of the gods such as they themselves had.

I also loved this passage in the writing about Smyrna:
"Once, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said of certain people who were presenting a crude picture of God: 'Your God is my devil.' It is a terrible thing when religion becomes the means of evil things. It has happened. In the eighteenth century, in the days of the French Revolution, Madame Roland uttered her famous cry: 'Liberty, what crimes are committed in your name!' There have been tragic times when the same could be said about religion."

[Apryl Anderson]

I thoroughly appreciated Barclay's intensive study of the ancient Jewish prophetic works and how they applied to the historical events of John's time. It is true that, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." We don't worry about Nero's return these days, and even Hitler is fading from view as other agressive despots steal the limelight. Regardless of the time and place, God's light shines in the darkness. Thanks, Prof. Barclay for keeping us focused!

[Cws]

228.07

[Kimberly Olson Olson Sutor]

Excellent study on the Book of Revelation.

[Annette]

My dad has the collection of Barclay's commentaries of NT, all first editions. They are apart of my library now.