All This for a King: The Essential Collection

Critical reception

All This for a King: The Essential Collection garnered critical acclaim from music critics. At CCM Magazine, Andy Argyrakis gave it four stars writing that "While all the major singles are present, added value comes with a trio of electronically-leaning remixes, plus the new, acoustic folk hand clapper 'This I Know,' all of which showcase Crowder's complacency shattering lyrics." Jonathan Francesco of New Release Tuesday gave it four stars calling them "a solid collection of hits". At Worship Leader, Jason Whitehorn gave it four-and-a-half stars affirming how the listener will "get what you expect, except this time all in one place."

Alex "Tincan" Caldwell of Jesus Freak Hideout gave it three-and-a-half stars stating that he would give them a five star career rating, however "For this collection, however, they earn slightly less." At Christian Music Review, Jay Heilman gave it four-and-a-half stars noting that "For the most part, The Essential Collection does a good job of covering this, though it covers exclusively the radio hits." Joshua Andre of Christian Music Zine gave it four-and-a-half stars believing that "All This For A King: The Essential Collection embodies the band’s most famous hits and gives us a bittersweet farewell, and a exciting look at what is to come."

At CM Addict, Andrew Funderburk rated it four stars evoking that "Though this album may feel like goodbye, it is the opening of new doors for greater things to come." Jono Davies of Louder Than the Music rated it a perfect five stars alluding to how he could talk endlessly about each track, however writing "What I will say is that this is a brilliant greatest hits album, with every song being as strong as the next." At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre gave it the only mixed rating at three stars highlighting and cautioning that "With only 14 tracks, there are songs bound to miss out, and some songs chosen over others that I would’ve thought were more worthy."

Commercial performances

For the Billboard charting week of June 8, 2013, All This for a King: The Essential Collection was the No. 70 most sold album in the United States by The Billboard 200, and it was the No. 3 most sold album in the Christian market via the Christian Albums charting.