Skip to content ↓

Best Commentaries on Deuteronomy

This page is current as of December 2023.

For recommendations on other books and an introduction to this series, visit
Best Commentaries on Each Book of the Bible.

Before turning to the expert recommendations, here are some recent commentaries written by trusted scholars that may be of interest. Because these volumes are newly published, the commentators on the commentaries have not yet had opportunity to evaluate them. They would, though, come with my recommendation.

  • Ajith Fernando – Deuteronomy: Loving Obedience to a Loving God (Preaching the Word). The PTW series is based on sermons and suitable to any kind of reader.
  • Allan Harman – Deuteronomy: The Commands of a Covenant God (Focus on the Bible). The Focus on the Bible series is eminently trustworthy and has many volumes that are especially strong, especially in the Old Testament.

And now, here are the expert recommendations:

Peter C. Craigie – The Book of Deuteronomy (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament). 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. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

J.G. McConville – Deuteronomy (Apollos Old Testament Commentary). 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.” (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

J.A. Thompson – Deuteronomy (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries). 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. (Amazon)

Christopher Wright – Deuteronomy (New International Biblical Commentary). 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. (Amazon, Logos)

John D. Currid – Deuteronomy (EP Study Commentary). 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.” (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

Let me close with a couple of questions: What are your preferred commentaries on Deuteronomy? Are there some you’ve found particularly helpful for preaching or for devotional purposes?


  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (December 17)

    A La Carte: The Virgin Mary and modern therapeutic culture / Relational heresy and doctrinal heresy / The darkness does not win / How does God deliver from pain by pain? / Christmas with your adult children / and more.

  • Do you know who God says you are?

    Identity matters for at least two key reasons. First, understanding our identity—our true God-given identity—is vital to understand why we exist and what we’re to do in life, as it is likewise essential for framing a fitting perspective of others.

  • A Collection of Random Thoughts on Christian Living

    A Collection of Random Thoughts on Christian Living

    Not every thought makes a good article and sometimes an entire article can be distilled down to a single thought. For those reasons, I like to occasionally create what I have created here–a roundup of brief, random thoughts about Christian living. Some of these are original and some are drawn from articles I’ve written in…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (December 16)

    A La Carte: Have you lost the ability to think deeply? / Does God command me to trust my spouse? / Thoughts on suicide / Preaching from a manuscript / God is not in a good mood / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Undermines

    Undermining the Bible

    There is an entire sector of the publishing industry that is dedicated to undermining people’s confidence in the Bible. Many of these books shoot to the top of the bestseller lists with their novel conspiracies about the Bible’s origins, their theories about its hidden secrets, or their conviction that it is a mess of contradictions.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (December 14)

    A La Carte: Male and female forever? / The shortcomings of Jordan Peterson / The thief who steals joy / Letter to a progressive Christian / The weary world rejoices / and more.