Rating: 
Summary: Beware of wolf in sheep's clothing
Review: This book, often hailed a masterpiece, is in fact a dangerous compendium endorsing a modernistic interpretation of the Bible. Modernism was condemned most forcefully by Pope St. Pius X (1903-1914) as a conglomeration of numerous errors that all intend to undermine Catholic doctrine from within the Church. Modernism includes relativism, subjectivism, emotionalism, and many other errors.The "Nihil Obstat" this book bears was given by the authors themselves, which of course nullifies the purpose of having it. I recommend you stay away from this commentary. To get a good commentary, I recommend the one by Fr. Leo Haydock, available in the Haydock Douay-Rheims Bible, or simple get a regular Douay-Rheims Bible which has explanatory footnotes to the text.
Rating: 
Summary: Too catholic for most, low theology of The Word
Review: This commentary on the Bible will not please those who truly love the scriptures. For one thing, it is so catholic in its interpretation that one can almost smell the incense. It also does acrobatics with the verses having to do with justification by faith, twisting and contorting them to mean what they clearly do NOT mean in order to fit in with catholic theology. Relies a great deal on modern critical methods with little discernment. The result is that very little is taken concretely and non-allegorically. This commentary has a very low theology of the scriptures. The end result is that the JBC seems to see the Word of God as something incidental to the Church, a mere accessory, rather than the church being the result of the proclamation of the Word. Sad and misguided.
Rating: 
Summary: excellent commentary by moderately critical authors.
Review: this is a commentary on the whole bible (apocrypha included as the authors are catholic priests) with additional sections on theological topics pertinent to bible interpretation. the historical critical method is maintained throughout - no devotional angle and very little author bias. as is typical of the works of brown and fitzmyer, the scholarship is calm and somewhat detached (they don't attempt to sway the reader to their camps with wit or polemic). if i had to classify them i would say they are centrists (moderates). the bible is treated here as if it contains the word of God, but is definitely not word for word inerrant. as the reader might expect, pseudonymous authorship is accepted for several books here. all in all this is an excellent reference work, even if one does not share all viewpoints. in general, this commentary might be slightly over the heads of those not familiar with academic theology.
Rating:
Summary: Worth every penny.
Review: This is an expensive book, but it's worth it. At first, as an undergraduate in a secular university, I ignored it, assuming that "approved" Catholic scholarship would inevitably be conservative and not to my taste. It wasn't until my last year that I finally gave it a shot, and I regretted not doing that sooner. Now as a Catholic educator I find it invaluable, and use it more than any other commentary.
As for those who would disparage the scholarship of the late Raymond Brown, or call into question his "Catholicity," I ask this question: given that his work never failed to gain official ecclesiastical approval, and that he was appointed to the Pontifical Biblical Commission by TWO conservative popes (Paul VI and JPII), do you think just maybe you're being a bit narrow-minded? (That's a rhetorical question: the answer is, "yes, you are.")
Rating:
Summary: Academic, Roman Catholic, and Textual
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: This is the revised and updated version of the famous volume named for St. Jerome, the great Christian biblical scholar who insisted that "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ." I am certain that he would be honored that his name graces the title of this commentary, which has been helping pastors and students for decades. Inside this work you will find the books of the Bible listed individually, with detailed commentary on verses and even partial verses. Prior to the detailed commentary, a helpful historical sketch is given to assist the reader in situating the particular biblical book in its context. It includes maps and charts. Though this volume comes highly recommended, it is not always on the "cutting edge" of biblical scholarship. If you choose to utilize this volume, you have made a wise choice, but you should not limit your library to this commentary alone.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: This is the revised and updated version of the famous volume named for St. Jerome, the great Christian biblical scholar who insisted that "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ." I am certain that he would be honored that his name graces the title of this commentary, which has been helping pastors and students for decades. Inside this work you will find the books of the Bible listed individually, with detailed commentary on verses and even partial verses. Prior to the detailed commentary, a helpful historical sketch is given to assist the reader in situating the particular biblical book in its context. It includes maps and charts. Though this volume comes highly recommended, it is not always on the "cutting edge" of biblical scholarship. If you choose to utilize this volume, you have made a wise choice, but you should not limit your library to this commentary alone.
Rating:
Summary: Fine compendium of authoritative Biblical scholarship
Review: Though I base my review on the 1968 edition, I can attest that this is a wonderful resource book. Its editors have done a great service in compiling such an authoritative compedium and commentary on The Bible. Though many of the articles are "professionally" erudite and scholarly, the tome is nevertheless accessible to the serious student. Part I regards The Old Testament. (The essays on the Pentateuch and Genesis are fascinating). Part II concerns The New Testament along with articles on Biblical "inerrancy" and Canonicity. The article on Hermeneutics (interpretation bases) written by editor, Father Raymond E. Brown, is a frank declaration and "caveat"...or apology if you will...regarding the nature and INTENT of the scholarship. (The perspective is ROMAN CATHOLIC. Perhaps this essay should be examined first...obviously it was NOT even scanned by reviewers who disparagingly derogated...or flat-out denounced...the work.) Overall, I believe a fair reviewer will find THE JEROME BIBLICAL COMMENTARY (New or Old)an excellent and reliable source of Biblical scholarship. It is also good (not light, admittedly) reading not only for the serious student of Christian scripture but for readers interested in the "mythology" of Christianity and the Bible as profound world literature.
Rating:
Summary: The real Raymond Brown
Review: Two quotes will suffice as follows. Page 1159 states: "Literary criticism, however, does not view the text as a "window" onto a historical world...but as a "mirror" reflecting a world into which the reader is invited. In other words, the referent of the text as such is not the "real world" of history (e.g., exodus or crucifixion) but the literary world signified by the text. In the case of the biblical texts, the literary world is generated by the theological interpretation of the reality (e.g., escape from Egypt as divine liberation for covenant life; the death of Jesus as salvific paschal mystery)"
Page 1149 states: "The distinction between the author's thought world and the message he conveys in writing is important in discussing the limits of biblical inerrancy." Raymond Brown is more of a heretic than a champion scholar. Most should really read what he is saying and realize it is NOT CATHOLIC.
Rating:
Summary: The real Raymond Brown
Review: Two quotes will suffice as follows. Page 1159 states: "Literary criticism, however, does not view the text as a "window" onto a historical world...but as a "mirror" reflecting a world into which the reader is invited. In other words, the referent of the text as such is not the "real world" of history (e.g., exodus or crucifixion) but the literary world signified by the text. In the case of the biblical texts, the literary world is generated by the theological interpretation of the reality (e.g., escape from Egypt as divine liberation for covenant life; the death of Jesus as salvific paschal mystery)"
Page 1149 states: "The distinction between the author's thought world and the message he conveys in writing is important in discussing the limits of biblical inerrancy." Raymond Brown is more of a heretic than a champion scholar. Most should really read what he is saying and realize it is NOT CATHOLIC.
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