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GoodTony
Guest
What is the most scholarly Bible Commentary in print today?
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WoundedIcon
Guest
Not absolutely certain here, but I’ve heard good things about the Navarre set.
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MarcoPolo
Guest
This is a subjective question. But…
If you want extensive analysis of the Greek and word, historical-critical analysis, etc…, try any in the Sacra Pagina series. I believe it is only New Testament at this time. And the whole set is like $500. But it is very good. Very scholarly. You can also get them individually. Just search somewhere like Amazon with the keywords "Sacra Pagina ".
You may also consider a far-less exhaustive New Jerome Biblical Commentary, a single, very thick volume about $100. It would be considered scholarly, although the treatment of any passage is far briefer than Sacra Pagina’s.
The aforementioned Navarre is a very good set. I am not sure it would be considered “scholarly” or not if you are looking for analysis of literary form or Greek or whatever. It often contains the spiritual reflections of Bl. John Paul II and St. Jose Maria Escriva on any given passage. That whole set is also like $400.
If you want extensive analysis of the Greek and word, historical-critical analysis, etc…, try any in the Sacra Pagina series. I believe it is only New Testament at this time. And the whole set is like $500. But it is very good. Very scholarly. You can also get them individually. Just search somewhere like Amazon with the keywords "Sacra Pagina ".
You may also consider a far-less exhaustive New Jerome Biblical Commentary, a single, very thick volume about $100. It would be considered scholarly, although the treatment of any passage is far briefer than Sacra Pagina’s.
The aforementioned Navarre is a very good set. I am not sure it would be considered “scholarly” or not if you are looking for analysis of literary form or Greek or whatever. It often contains the spiritual reflections of Bl. John Paul II and St. Jose Maria Escriva on any given passage. That whole set is also like $400.
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CalCatholic
Guest
A ‘scholarly’ ecumenical Bible Commentary that I own is ‘The Oxford Bible Commentary’ which is a one volume book which runs about $51.96 at Amazon. A scholarly Catholic one volume commentary is ‘The New Jerome Bible Commentary’ which runs about $61.75 at Amazon.
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simspt
Guest
Here r some and this is also a good reference moses.creighton.edu/harmless/bibliographies_for_theology/New_Testament_1.htm#3._REFERENCE_WORKS:_Dictionaries,Concordances&_One-Volume_Commentaries
- COMMENTARY SERIES
Volume 8: General Articles on the New Testament, Matthew, Mark (1995)
Volume 9: Luke, John (1995).
Volume 10: R. Wall, J. Paul Sampley & N.T. Wright, eds., Acts-First Corinthians (2002).
Volume 11: J. Paul Sampley, Abraham Smith & Judith Gundry-Volf, Second Corinthians-Philippians (2000).
Volume 12: Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, Revelation (1998).
John J. Collins and David Noel Freedman, ed., The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries, 50 vol. (New Haven: Yale University Press / New York: Doubleday, 1964- ). Originally published by Doubleday, this series was taken over by Yale in 2007. It is a massive, detailed commentary, generally with one volume (or more) devoted to each book of the Bible. The series as a whole is quite good, but certain older volumes were weak and are gradually being replaced. The latest volumes include:
Joel Marcus, Mark 8-16 (2009).
Joseph A. Fitzmyer, First Corinthians (2008).
John Reumann, Philippians (2008).
Victor Paul Furnish, ed., Abingdon New Testament Commentaries (Nashville: Abingdon, 1996- ).
Daniel J. Harrington, Sacra Pagina series (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1991-2004). Now complete. Perhaps the most consistently high quality recent biblical commentary series. In the recent years, most of the volumes are available as paperbacks.
James L. Mays, Patrick D. Miller, & Paul J. Achtemeier, Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, 33 volumes to date (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1980s- ).
Thomas C. Oden & Christopher H. Hall, ed., The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1998- ). This revives the medieval tradition of the glossa ordinaria, taking the biblical text verse by verse and then quoting what various Church Fathers said about it.
Hermeneia, 25 vol. to date (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1970s- ). Technical, but generally excellent. Some are translations from a German series while others have been written especially for the English series. It includes a few volumes beyond the New Testament canon (Letters of Ignatius of Antioch, Shepherd of Hermas, the Q Document, The Apostolic Tradition).
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Nita
Guest
I ordered and just received the Sacra Pagina Gospel of John and Gospel of Matthew. And, admittedly, I have not read all that much yet - only the first 63 pages in the Gospel of John (plus skimming on John 6). But so far I have been disappointed. I don’t mean there isn’t any scholarly info. But, for example, the commentary says that Andrew and the disciple with him told a lie when they came to Simon Peter and said - “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41).
To quote the Sacra Pagina text (page 55) - underlining mine:
…Andrew has told Simon, “We have found” (heurekamen), and this is not true (v.41). The Baptist pointed his disciples toward Jesus, and they followed (vv.36-37). They were invited by Jesus to come and see and they did what they were told (v. 39). The initiative for their presence with Jesus and their understanding of him does not belong to them. A lie has been told, and this further reinforced y Jesus’ words to Simon. …
And then later, when Philip goes to Nathanael and says to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, …” (John 1:45):
Philip professes his understanding of Jesus to another potential disciple, Nathanael, but he repeats the lie of Andrew: “We have found…”
I then jumped to John 6 and skimmed those paragraphs. Disappointed there also.
I much prefer the Navarre commentary.
My suggestion to others, if you are interested in the series, would be to purchase just one book and check that out first before purchasing more.
Have you read the volumes extensively Marco? I’m familiar with you here on CAF and always value your (name removed by moderator)ut. Just wondering where (any particular volumes) you might have found to be helpful and inspiring.
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Bookcat
Guest
Another good commentary (it goes well with Navarre…do not forget also the expanded scepterpublishers.org/product/index.php?FULL=526) is the “Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture” not “as scholarly” perhaps as you may be seeking…but is very good…
catholiccommentaryonsacredscripture.com/.
Take care with some commentaries and writers (not the above!) which take the “historical -critical method” too far.
Please read Cardinal Ratzinger on such and also him as Pope Benedict XVI --especially Verbum Domini vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20100930_verbum-domini_en.html#The_God_Who_Speaks
catholiccommentaryonsacredscripture.com/.
Take care with some commentaries and writers (not the above!) which take the “historical -critical method” too far.
Please read Cardinal Ratzinger on such and also him as Pope Benedict XVI --especially Verbum Domini vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20100930_verbum-domini_en.html#The_God_Who_Speaks
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Soldier_Of_God
Guest
I know I’m late to the party but I would like to chime in with another bible commentary recommendation. I endorse the The International Bible Commentary by Liturgical Press.
amazon.com/International-Bible-Commentary-Ecumenical-Twenty-First/dp/0814624545
I own a number of bible commentaries and I fine The International Bible Commentary more orthodox in approach than the New Jerome Bible Commentary yet retentive of a scholarly methodology. The articles contained therin is more current and up-to-date than the New Jerome Bible Commentary, and reflective of a number of more recent understanding of the ancient world and biblical finds. The work is ecumenical but carries a nihil obstat and imprimatur.
amazon.com/International-Bible-Commentary-Ecumenical-Twenty-First/dp/0814624545
I own a number of bible commentaries and I fine The International Bible Commentary more orthodox in approach than the New Jerome Bible Commentary yet retentive of a scholarly methodology. The articles contained therin is more current and up-to-date than the New Jerome Bible Commentary, and reflective of a number of more recent understanding of the ancient world and biblical finds. The work is ecumenical but carries a nihil obstat and imprimatur.
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CalCatholic
Guest
I use this one a lot also.
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MarcoPolo
Guest
Thanks, Nita, likewise with your (name removed by moderator)ut.
I have the Gospel of John commentary here and I think there is more info. on page 60 regarding this “lie,” which I agree seems to be strong language. Here is the excerpt:*We have found: The claim on the part of the first disciples to have found Jesus and to have come to a decision about his person and role is a blatant untruth. This is seldom noticed by commentators. The theological point that is made by this untruth is that true discipleship flows from the initiative of Jesus. This is the case across both the synoptic and Johannine traditions. For the Johannine Gospel true discipleship involves a correct understanding of who Jesus is. The first disciples fail on both counts.*I think that Fr. Maloney is getting at here, is that the disciples are regularly said to not know just who Jesus is. For instance, later in John, it is written:*His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. (12:16)*Though “lie” may be a little strong a word here, what I think Fr. Maloney may be saying is that they thought Jesus was the Messiah as in the political or military savior Israel was waiting for, not the divine incarnate God.I think this understanding is fortified if we go back to page 55, where Fr. Maloney clarifies: As with* Andrew’s confession (cf. v. 41) there is a sense in which these words are true**, but Philip, like Andrew, does not fully understand their Johaninne meaning.*
So while he says the statement is a “lie” on the one hand, he turns around and admits that there is a sense in which the confession is “true.” Though perhaps awkwardly worded, Fr. Maloney’s point is that while they said they found the Messiah, it is incorrect to interpret that as the disciples grasping the whole picture right then and there.
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Phyllo
Guest
Any opinion on the Haydock Commentary? I use this one the most.
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MarkInOregon
Guest
As well as the ones already mentioned I use the Ignatius Study Bible. I also like to look at the Barclay commentaries even though they are Protestant or Anglican–so you need to be carefull–but there is a lot of good information in them and they can be useful.
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