The Navarre Bible: Saint Matthew's Gospel

The Navarre Bible #8

by University of Navarra

Part of a 12 volume set of the New Testament with extensive explanations of the meaning of the scriptural text and its implications for everyday life. The commentaries draw on a rich variety of sources - Church documents, the writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and the work of prominent spiritual writers, particularly Saint Josemaria Escriva, who initiated the Navarre Bible project. The commentary appears on the same page as the Bible text, which is the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Each volume is self-contained with extensive introductions and notes to Old Testament prophecies. The Navarre Bible commentary is considered by many to be the best Catholic commentary on the Bible available today.

Genres: Catholic, Scripture, Christianity, Nonfiction, Religion, Reference, Spirituality

217 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

The University of Navarra is a private university located on the southeast border of Pamplona, Spain. It was founded in 1952 by Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, as a corporate work of the apostolate of Opus Dei.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually when I read Sacred Scripture, as with most of my reading, I race through the text. That is not possible with this version of the Bible. There are only a few lines of the actual Gospel of Matthew on each page. Beneath is the Latin translation and beneath that are the commentaries which are written to the reading level of the average person.

I did not skip or skim anything ... well, okay, I could not read the Latin, sad to say. The English was all excellent. God willing, I would like to read the entire Bible this way. Concurrently reading the The Word on Fire Bible (Volume II): Acts, Letters and Revelation with dear husband.

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Navarre commentaries. They are not exhaustive which makes them feel readable. I have referred to this volume on St. Matthew many times, but this was the first time that I read it cover to cover. It provided an excellent format to dwell on this gospel one passage at a time. The English translation used is the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. The commentary is both explanatory and inspirational. It draws heavily on quotes from Popes, encyclicals, and saints with many passages from St. Josemaria Escriva, the founder of the University of Navarra.

Here is a sample:
Mt. 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Partial quote from commentary on this passage: "If we wait until others mend their ways or apologize, we will scarcely ever forgive them. But then we ourselves will never be forgiven. 'All right: that person has behaved badly towards you. But haven't you behaved worse towards God?'" (Bl. J. Escriva, The Way, 686).

I highly recommend this volume and all of the Navarra commentaries for anyone who wants to get to know God and His Church better through reading the Bible.

[Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valuable commentary of St. Matthew's Gospel with insights from early Church Fathers, Popes, and theologians. Now it's on to the St. Mark's Gospel.

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I often use my complete set of Navarre commentaries for research and commentary, it has been a few years since I read a volume through as a devotional (in this case, one chapter a day including all the commentary). While Navarre is one of my top go-to commentaries, and I have always appreciated it, I have come to again remember even more so its great value. Not a verse-by-verse commentary, rather one that delves into the spiritual and practical aspects of Scripture without neglecting history, context, and the original language. Church Fathers are quoted but St. Josemaria Escriva takes pride of place. Additionally, the introduction, dealing with authorship, dating, authenticity, purpose, content, and features, is a concise but thorough treatment of the book, preparing the reader well for what he is about to read. A must have series for the serious Bible Catholic.

[Pat Deoring]

An excellent companion to any serious study of the Bible. The Navarre Bible is broken down into separate books to more easily transport and use in your studies. I would highly recommend this study guide.

[Billy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book from cover to cover. Not an entirely exhaustive in-depth study, but it has good study notes. I purchase Matthew to give it a look before buying the whole set. Now I know it's worth purchasing the entire collection. Worthy of a Bible study collection on your bookshelf.

[Beau Robicheaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been using the Navarre Bible as I read through The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike.

It makes for slow reading given the commentary, but I find the commentary helps with understanding.

Would strongly recommend; the commentary gives you the benefit of the milennia of exegesis that exists right at your fingertips.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In depth and helpful.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful and thorough commentary.