Bede: Commentary on Revelation: Translated Texts for Historians

Commentary on Revelation was Bede’s first venture into Biblical exegesis—an ambitious choice for a young monastic scholar in a newly Christianized land. Interpreting the themes of creation, redemption, history, and time itself, it offers an early look at what would become some of Bede’s primary concerns. It is also a fascinating look at the way apocalyptic thinking was negotiated. Written around 703 CE, it addresses the widespread belief of the period that the end of times was near, offering a powerful counterargument that scholars should interpret Revelations as symbolically representing the struggle of the Church, rather than use it to attempt to calculate the date of the apocalypse. Offering a substantial introduction, this translation provides valuable insights for anyone interested in biblical interpretations during the Middle Ages.