Commentary-Revelation 1-5 (Word Biblical Commentar V52A)

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The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

The aspect of Aune's commentary that deserves to excite the most scholarly debate is his espousal of a multi-source theory of composition. This view has been generally out of favour for some time and so Aune deserves to be commended for taking on this difficult question. In short, Aune suggests three stages of composition. First, the composition of twelve discreet sections of the text in the course of the early prophetic career of the author (a sort of John's greatest hits?). Second, these units are embedded in a longer narrative - the so-called 'First Edition'. Third, further material is added at the beginning and end of the text, with further additions to the body of the text, to arrive at the 'Second Edition'.

The original twelve discreet sections (the early 'hits') 7:1-17; 10:1-11; 11:1-13; 12:1-18; 13:1-18; 14:1-20; 17:1-18; 18:1-24; 19:11-16; 20:1-10; 20:11-15; 21:9-22:5 are initially identified by the presence of 'little if any continuity of the dramatis personae' (p.cxix). This is simply untrue. I was able to find at least twelve characters who were not confined to only one of these sections.

At the second compositional step, according to Aune, John wrote, 'an overall sequential scheme to make the composition comprehensible' (!) (p.cxxix). The extent of Aune's 'First Edition' is difficult to pin down. On p.cxx it is said to run approximately from 1:7-12a; 4:1-22:5. Meanwhile on p.cxxx it is said to have a redactional link (4.1) that connects 1:9-20 and 4:2-22:9. By further contrast, on p.74, we are told that 'Revelaton 1:9-11 looks very much like the original beginning of Revelation (which immediately followed the title in 1:1-3), which was probably followed by Revelation 4:1-6:17.

Aune's views on the extent of the additions used to create the 'Second Edition' are also variable. On p.cxx these consist of 1:1-3,4-6; 1:12b-3:22; 22:6-21. On p.cxxxiv they are instead 1:1-6; 1:12b-3:22; 22:6-21. On p.cxxxii they are 1:1-3; 1:12b-3:22; 22:6-21, or, on the same page, 22:5-21. On p.74-5 it is claimed that Revelation 1:12-20 was inserted together with 2:1-3:22 to form the Second Edition.

These variations almost suggest a two or three stage composition for Aune's commentary. However, the case for multiple source for Revelation does not, so far as I can see, hold up. In his introduction Aune recognises various verses that 'homogenise the text'. He has to account for these as interpolations by an editor, or expansions by the author. In all Aune cites forty instances of additions, expansions, glosses, interpolations, etc., in the introduction. Not satisfied with this Aune appeals to further later additions when he encounters difficulties in his commentary e.g. on pp.36, 58-9, 74.

Aune's overstatement of the distinctive character of his twelve separate 'oracles'; his uncertainty regarding the precise shape of the 'First' and 'Second Edition'; and his appeal to numerous later additions in order to sustain his theory, means that his source proposal hasn't convinced me. Richard Bauckham's contention that Revelation is perhaps the most unified text in the New Testament has, I think, easier to defend.

The sheer size of this project inspires awe. Such reverence is justified when it comes to the bibliographies, analyses of textual variants, and extensive references to ancient literature. However, I was left feeling that the text was more like a database than a commentary.

Unlike most of the other books in the Word Biblical Commentary series, this treatment in entirely secular in approach. If you are looking for spiritual guidance, you had better look to the works of Boring or Mounce, depending on your theological bent

Liberal scholars will certainly greatly benefit from Aune's volumes on Revelation (I only have volumes 52A and 52B, but I assume the next volumes will be similar). To those looking for a Christian commentary on Revelation, I would rather not recommend Aune's books.