The New Jerome Biblical Commentary

I use other commentaries such as the Navarre Bible, Collegeville and Barclay's. I even refer to some Protestant commentaries for another point of view. But when I do not get enough detail or the references are too ambiguous I always end up going back to the New Jerome Commentary. It can get overly detailed sometimes so it is probably not your first source, but it will be your authoritative source when other lighter commentaries fail you.

This is one of the finest biblical commentaries available -- and is certainly unsurpassed as a one-volume commentary.It is encyclopedic in its examination of the prevailing theories of 'higher biblical criticism.' If you want to know what scholars think about the development of a particular book of the Bible, this is a superb source to consult.It is not a 'preaching commentary,' however. And though it will tell you a lot about theological ideas associated with particular texts, it is the text, not the theology, which is of principal interest to the authors. This commentary reads more like a technical manual than like Shakespeare -- but this is not a fault. Rather, this commentary fills a much-needed niche among commentaries.The would-be reader and purchaser of this book should also know that it is born out of a Roman Catholic perspective and often provides critical insights into how the Roman Catholic Church has interpreted Scripture. Similarly, however, this perspective often leaves the reader without the contrasting Protestant and Orthodox perspectives. Again, this is not a fault -- simply something to keep in mind.This is a superb work that deserves a place in the library of preachers, biblical scholars, and serious students of the Bible.

Some will say that Raymond Brown, Roland Murphy, and John P. Meier are "modernists" or "heterodox". Those who make these claims typically stopped reading Catholic teaching just before Vatican II - and most, if not all, who assert "modernism" are biblical literalists and/or fundamentalists, both Protestant and Catholic. Brown and Meier are the premier historical-critical exegetes of our time. This commentary is a must have for any serious student of the Bible. It is not for those who prefer "pop apologetics" (e.g., The Catholic Answers crowd). It is for serious scholars who appreciate the nuance of biblical scholarship.Upon the death of Raymond Brown one commentator had this to say about Brownn (and Murphy):"Both produce scholarship clearly Catholic in character and modern in substance. Both respect and follow guidelines of the Pontifical Biblical Commission (BTB 26:2, 79-81). For both, caution was never so strict that they forsook honesty. Together, they span the two Testaments. Orthodoxy for Raymond E. Brown was a hallmark. Given a conflict between text and theology, he found a middle course that allowed both to survive. His lines of argument may have exhausted the field; yet his Catholic loyalty never flagged...As Raymond Brown's honesty at times may have shocked some, so the forthrightness of BTB authors should expand the envelope of scholarship today for even more expansive inclusivity in the future."This volume is loaded with articles and commentary that will illuminate, stimulate, and prompt more extensive research. If you buy only one commentary, make certain it is this one!

The New Jerome Biblical Commentary is a great reference book for scholars and pastors who need a single volume of biblical commentary near at hand. The articles are written by some of the greats of biblical scholarship, and offer remarkably in-depth analysis, considering that one volume covers the entire Christian Scriptures. Of special help to students and scholars are the bibliographies at the end of each article. While not up-to-the-minute (the most recent edition of the NJBC is 1991, I think), the bibliographies often point out the most important books and articles written on the Bible in the past 30 years. I heartily recommend this book!

I have several commentaries and this is the most complete for a one volume edition. Worth twice the weight of others in this class. Written exclusively by Catholics but fair and objective in presenting latest developments in biblical scholarship-perhaps to a fault. Easy to use once aquainted with it. May be a tough read but, worth it!