Study Commentaries

The Zondervan Biblical and Theological Lectures series provides a unique audio learning experience. Unlike a traditional audiobook's direct narration of a book's text, Philemon: Audio Lectures include high quality live-recordings of college-level lectures that cover the important points from...

1 Corinthians 13, the Bible’s definitive "Love Chapter," offers more than just poetic verses for a wedding—it provides a radical, life-changing roadmap for Christian discipleship and emotional maturity. Our latest commentary dives deep into the heart of agape love, moving beyond mere feelings to reveal love as an active, daily commitment modeled after Jesus. By studying these timeless truths, you will learn to replace frustration with patience, pride with humility, and resentment with a grace that "keeps no record of wrongs".

A multitude of Biblical stories have been censored, mistranslated, ignored, and even banned by religious authorities due to their erotic, violent, or mysterious content. Here, Jonathan Kirsch recounts some of the most startling and explicit writings from the Old Testament.

Also: The Old Testament: An Introduction, Part 1 and Part 2

The Bible Unmasked aims to critically examine the Bible and reveal its flaws. The author argues that the Bible is not divinely inspired but rather is a collection of myths, legends, and historical inaccuracies.

Si l'Église réfléchit depuis déjà longtemps autour de la protection de la nature, jamais un pape ne lui a consacré une encyclique, son mode d'expression le plus solennel. Les mots italiens "Laudato si': Dieu soit loué", qui ouvrent la première encyclique du pape François sont les premiers du "Cantique des créatures", écrit par Saint François d'Assise peu avant sa mort en 1226. Considéré comme l'un des premiers textes de la littérature italienne, le Poverello y célèbre Dieu à travers sa création : frère soleil, sœur lune, frère vent, sœur eau, frère feu, notre mère la terre.

The New Testament in Color is a one-volume commentary on the New Testament written by a multiethnic team of scholars holding orthodox Christian beliefs. Each scholar brings exegetical expertise coupled with a unique interpretive lens to illuminate the ways social location and biblical interpretation work together. Theologically orthodox and multiethnically contextual, The New Testament in Color fills a gap in biblical understanding for both the academy and the church. Who we are and where God placed us―it's all useful for better understanding his Word.

The life of Christ is the central focus of the entire New Testament. His birth was prophesied in the Old Testament, and those that knew of his coming patiently awaited his arrival. While not much is known about the early years of his life, we do have bits and pieces scattered throughout the gospels, that give us glimpses of what Christ’s life was like prior to him starting the ministry we are mostly familiar with from the latter part of his life.

Matthew 2 starts out just after the birth of Christ, immediately placing the listener in what will become a life or death situation for the newborn savior of the world. The jealous and nervous king Herod gave a decree that all of the children two and younger were to be killed, which forced Christ and his parents to flee into Africa to escape.

John Chapter 18 is a pivotal New Testament narrative detailing the arrest, betrayal, and initial trial of Christ. This chapter marks the beginning of the Passion narrative in the King James Bible, shifting from Christ’s private discourses with his disciples to his public confrontation with Roman and Jewish authorities.

John 19 is the pivotal chapter in the Gospel narrative that meticulously details the final hours of the life of Christ, leading directly to his crucifixion.

Luke 23 details the final hours of Christ’s life, focusing entirely on his trial, crucifixion, and burial. The chapter begins with Christ being brought before Pontius Pilate, who, along with Herod Antipas, repeatedly declares Christ's innocence. Despite these verdicts, the religious leaders and the crowd demand the crucifixion of Christ, leading to Pilate's fateful decision to release the criminal Barabbas instead.

Matthew 24 stands as one of the most significant and debated chapters in the New Testament, primarily for its prophetic content regarding the end times and the second coming of Christ. This section, part of the extensive Olivet Discourse, captures Christ's detailed response to his disciples' questions about the signs preceding the end of the age and the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. As Christ foretells of immense turmoil, from wars and rumors of wars to the rise of false prophets, listeners are drawn into a vivid prophecy of a world in spiritual and physical upheaval.

Revelation 1 serves as the powerful prologue to the Book of Revelation, framing it not as a puzzle, but as the direct revelation of Jesus Christ. Writing from his exile on the island of Patmos, the apostle John records his dramatic vision of the glorified and resurrected Christ, an awe-inspiring figure with eyes like blazing fire and a voice like rushing waters. The chapter emphasizes key themes of divine authority, as Jesus reveals himself as the Alpha and Omega, the one who holds the keys of Hell and death.

The Moab Covenant can be found in Deuteronomy 28 and many believe it to be one of the most important covenants in the Bible. It lays out a series of future blessings and curses that would play a significant role in Israel’s history. Chapters 29 – 32 build upon the terms and conditions found in Chapter 28 and contain references to the timeframe when the curses will take place in the future. These chapters were so important, that God commanded them to be read in front of the congregation every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles, as a continual reminder.

The Zondervan Biblical and Theological Lectures series provides a unique audio learning experience. Unlike a traditional audiobook's direct narration of a book's text, Nahum: Audio Lectures includes high-quality live recordings of college-level lectures that cover the important points from each...

Designed for the pastor and Bible student, Habakkuk: Audio Lectures, together with the accompanying text on Habakkuk from the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament, brings to light the universal scope of God's sovereignty and mercy. With careful analysis and interpretation of the...

The birth of Christ is possibly one of the most controversial sto-ries among believers. Was Mary really a virgin when she got pregnant or was Joseph the father? Did Christ fit the signs of the Messiah in the Old Testament or should we be looking for another? Only two of the four synoptic gospels go in depth about the birth and early years of Christ. As we read through the books of Matthew and Luke, we begin to get a clearer picture of the first twelve years of the life of Christ. Understanding those early years are vital when it comes to knowing who it is we believe in and why.

The Moab Covenant can be found in Deuteronomy 28 and many believe it to be one of the most important covenants in the Bible. It lays out a series of future blessings and curses that would play a significant role in Israel’s history. Chapters 29 – 32 build upon the terms and conditions found in Chapter 28 and contain references to the timeframe when the curses will take place in the future. These chapters were so important, that God commanded them to be read in front of the congregation every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles, as a continual reminder.

The Moab Covenant can be found in Deuteronomy 28 and many believe it to be one of the most important covenants in the Bible. It lays out a series of future blessings and curses that would play a sig-nificant role in Israel’s history. Chapters 29 – 32 build upon the terms and conditions found in Chapter 28 and contain references to the timeframe when the curses will take place in the future. These chapters were so important, that God commanded them to be read in front of the congregation every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles, as a continual reminder.

The Moab Covenant can be found in Deuteronomy 28 and many believe it to be one of the most important covenants in the Bible. It lays out a series of future blessings and curses that would play a significant role in Israel’s history. Chapters 29 – 32 build upon the terms and conditions found in Chapter 28 and contain references to the timeframe when the curses will take place in the future. These chapters were so important, that God commanded them to be read in front of the congregation every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles, as a continual reminder.