Best Commentaries on Deuteronomy

I enjoy the Reformed Expository Commentary series a lot and am glad to see it extend to Deuteronomy. While I have not read this volume, I’ve read many in the series and always benefited from them. Joel Beeke urges readers to “savor every page while you sit under the pulpit of a pastor who has carefully exegeted, diligently prayed over, and passionately preached through every verse.”

Millar wrote the standard evangelical theology of Deuteronomy (Now Choose Life); this is his mature, full-length treatment of the book. Michael Morales calls it “a needed resource for anyone who wants to understand, apply, and teach the book of Deuteronomy.”

As is usually the case, there is one commentary that most experts agree to be at the top of the class. For Deuteronomy pride of place belongs to Peter Craigie whom Tremper Longman describes as being “among the best of recent evangelical interpreters” and “an astute theologian and philologist.” Several commentators affirm that he is firmly evangelical in his perspective. (Note: Bill Arnold’s 2022 volume has now replaced Craigie in the series for chapters 1-11, with a reviewer for Themelios expecting it to “be the new standard”—but it covers only half the book so far, and Arnold writes from a more broadly evangelical position.)

McConville’s work also receives many accolades. Derek Thomas notes that McConville waffles a little bit on the book’s dating and authorship but “rightly sees the notion of covenant as the regulating principle of Deuteronomy and astutely shows the importance of Deuteronomy for our understanding of the prophetic books.”

J.A. Thompson’s contribution to the TOTC series is shorter and more suited to a general audience than the previous two volumes. Keith Mathison offers this short review: “For those seeking a good introductory level commentary on the book of Deuteronomy, the commentary by Thompson in the Tyndale series is the best place to begin. For an introductory level commentary, it is surprisingly insightful.” The TOTC is quite consistent in providing high-quality entry-level commentaries.

After the first three volumes it becomes far more difficult to find consensus among the experts. While some consider Wright’s commentary troubling in a few respects, most do acknowledge that it has several unique strengths, particularly related to the field of ethics. For that reason I have added it to the #4 spot.

Where consensus for the fourth spot was difficult, it was impossible for this fifth and final one. However, based on what I have learned of John Currid and his commentaries, I know that at the very least this one will be orthodox and helpful. Keith Mathison was the only expert I found who has reviewed it. He says, “Combining exegesis and application, Currid’s commentaries on the books of the Pentateuch have so far been very helpful. His commentary on Deuteronomy continues the standard of excellence.”