The Navarre Bible: Saint John's Gospel

The Navarre Bible #11

by José Maria Casciaro (Editor)

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition with Introduction and notes by theology staff of the University of Navarre. Accompanied by New Vulgate Text.

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Scripture, Spirituality

247 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am slowly reading through the Gospel of St. John with this wonderful Bible. In the past, the fact that there are more footnotes than scripture on each page has distracted me but now at this time in my life where I can only read a few paragraphs at a time without interruption, the breakdown of the pages now benefits me. I can read scripture in small pieces with excellent commentary and "ruminate" on it throughout the day. Works for me! ;)
ETA: I finally finished the slowest reading of this gospel in (most likely) the history of man! :)
It moved me in so many ways and gave me a deeper understanding of Christ's love for all of us. I highly recommend the Navarre Bibles for those who want to learn more about their faith and Our Lord. The commentary is second to none!

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Navarre Bible Studies are great for the fact that they include so many comments from the Fathers of the Church, Catholic saints and popes and great thinkers, as well as including pertinent bits from the Catechism and other Church documents. So they are thoroughly Catholic. They can be inspirational but equally can be a bit dry which is why I like to read them alongside William Barclay's commentaries. Barclay has the ancient info and inspirational feel which really makes scripture come alive while the Navarre studies provide any necessary theological correctives. They are a wonderful combination.

Navarre comments are all given in footnotes which leads, in a gospel like John's, to a couple of lines of Scripture to an entire page of footnotes. That works out just fine if you want to meditate upon what the scripture is saying and what God is saying to you in it.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I rated the Navarre edition of St. John's Gospel less than five stars is because it relies in its exposition a little too much on the writings of St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei. This is understandable, given that Navarre University was also founded by Escrivá. For the most part, though, his commentary is rather pedestrian, falling well short of the standard set by Sts. Chrysostom, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Theresa of Ávila, etc. Still, this is an enlightening and informative treatment, especially for those like me who are relative newcomers to Catholicism and to scripture.

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't speak highly enough of the Navarre series. One of my two main go-to commentaries. Not a line-by-line commentary, but very substantial in especially culling the spiritual meaning of various sections and passages, heavily relying on the Fathers and St. Josemaria. I often come across insights here that I have not come across elsewhere of had not considered myself. It is not uncommon for the commentary to take more space on the page than the text of Scripture. Outstanding also are the introduction section to the Gospel of John. A gem of a series that all serious Catholics should have handy.

With working through this book in my daily Scripture reading, I have completed all the Gospels in this series. What a blessing!

[Skip Pletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The scripture translation itself is yet another rendition of the gospel, but the annotations so deepen the experience. Here, in simple paperback that fits so easily among the various items carried to and fro, rests a great adventure through centuries of saints and magisteria. I read this very slowly, a little each day at lunch, feasting on Tradition and scripture together.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series of commentaries. They are called The Navarre Bible, but there is no Bible text in them. They are all commentaries on the various books of the Bible that they cover (for example Luke, John, and Acts, the three that I own).

I highly recommend this series of Bible commentaries. I learn a lot from each one and will no doubt refer to them over and over again.

[Zacaro Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like this book, or this type of book please check out the sacra pagina series.