This commentary on the Revelation of John, which Bede himself called 'Expositio' instead of the 'Explanatio' of the printed version, is probably the earliest of his scriptural commentaries. According to Laistner, 72 manuscripts are still in existence, with the likelihood of another existing in Melk.

Bede's Commentary did not only enjoy a certain popularity within his own time, but his reputation spread into Europe and his works were still widely used in the twelfth and thirtheeth century. The large number of surviving manuscripts stands witness for this immense popularity.

In a letter to Eusebius, Bede describes the seven sections into which he sees the Book of Revelation divided and explains his own structure into three books.

The translation cited here can be found in Rev. Edward Marshall's book The Explanation of the Apocalypse by Venerable Beda.