Study Bibles contain the full text of Scripture and include explanatory notes, insightful commentary, historical timelines, comparison charts, and colorful illustrations, which help readers understand God’s Word and apply it to their lives. The comparison chart below is a guide to 50 different Study Bibles.
Also see the Bible Translation Comparison Chart to learn more.
50 Study Bibles Compared
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Amplified Study Bible  | The translation is Amplified. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. Its theme highlights the meaning of key Hebrew and Greek words. It includes 5k study notes and maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Apologetics Study Bible  | The translation is CSB. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. Notes help readers defend the faith. It includes apologetics articles, charts, and maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Archaeological Study Bible  | The translation is NIV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. Its theme gives readers color pictures of statues, artifacts, scrolls, and more. It includes 520 articles and 500 four-color pictures. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN |
| Biblical Theological Study Bible  | The translation is NIV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. Its theme regards tracing God’s redemptive plan in Scripture. It includes 20k study notes, hundreds of color photos, 90 maps, and 60 charts. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN |
| Catholic Study Bible  | The translation is NABRE. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. It reflects Roman Catholic perspectives. It includes study notes and 32 full-color maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Chronological Life Application Study Bible  | The translation is NLT. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. It traces ten eras of Bible history in order. It includes section intros, timelines, historical notes, and full-color photos. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Complete Jewish Study Bible  | The translation is original. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. Its theme shows how the OT points to Jesus. It has 145 articles, highlights Hebrew keywords, and has maps and charts. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| CSB Ancient Faith Study Bible  | The translation is CSB. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. It includes study notes from early church fathers. It has bios of early church fathers. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| CSB Study Bible  | The translation is HCSB. Jesus’ words ARE in red. It has 16k study notes. It includes 368 studies on Greek and Hebrew words, 94 photos, 55 maps, and 61 timelines. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible  | The translation is NIV or NKJV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. Notes offer insight into the customs, culture, and literature. It has 300 articles, 375 color photos, and dozens of charts and maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Dake Annotated  | The translation is KJV or NKJV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. It has 35k notes. It also has 500k chain references and color maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
Also, see One-Volume Bible Commentaries: The Top 25 to learn more.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| ESV Archaeology Study Bible  | The translation is ESV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. Field-trained archaeologists write notes. It includes full articles, 400 color pics, 200 maps, and diagrams. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| ESV Study Bible  | The translation is ESV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. It includes 20k notes. See Best ESV Study Bibles. It also has over 50 articles and 200 charts. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Systematic Theology Study Bible  | The translation is ESV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. It shows how Christian doctrine arises in the Bible. It also has 400 doctrinal summaries and 25 longer articles. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Every Man’s Bible  | The translation is NLT. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. There are thousands of notes on topics related to men. It also has 44 charts. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Everyday Life Bible (Joyce Meyer)  | The translation is Amplified. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. It includes Meyers’ notes, commentary, and application. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
Fire Bible | The translation is KJV or ESV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. Its audience is Pentecostal pastors and lay leaders. It has charts, maps, and 70 articles. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| First-Century Study Bible  | The translation is NIV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. It includes insights about life in Bible times. It also has maps, charts, and diagrams. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Harper Collins Study Bible  | The translation is NRSV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. Notes provide information on critical scholarship. It also has maps, tables, and charts. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Henry Morris Study Bible  | The translation is KJV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. Notes focus on defending creationism. It has 10k notes and color maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| HCSB Study Bible  | The translation is HCSB. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. It has 15k notes, 141 photos, and 62 timelines. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
Also, see the Best Commentary on Every Book of the Bible to learn more.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Jeremiah Study Bible  | The translation is NKJV, ESV, NIV, or others. Jesus’ words ARE in red. David Jeremiah wrote the notes. There are 10k notes, 55 articles, and maps, charts, and tables. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Jewish Study Bible  | The translation is JPS. Jesus’ words ARE in red. There are 40 essays on Jewish life and worship. It has study notes and color maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Key Word Study Bible  | The translation is KJV or NIV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. It provides insight into Greek and Hebrew word studies. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| King James Study Bible  | The translation is KJV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. The notes are for the KJV translation. It has 5,700 notes on theology, people, and history, hundreds of maps and charts. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Lutheran Study Bible  | The translation is ESV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. The notes reflect Lutheran perspectives. It includes prayers, quotations, maps, and graphics. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Life Application Study Bible  | The translation is NIV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. Notes help readers “take it personally.” It also has 16 color maps, articles, and charts. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Life Principles (Charles Stanley)  | The translation is NKJV or NIV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. Charles Stanley wrote the study notes. It includes bios, Q & A’s, articles, and maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| MacArthur Study Bible  | The translation is NASB or NKJV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. John MacArthur wrote the study notes. There are 20k notes, color maps, 140 two-color maps, and timelines. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Maxwell Leadership Bible  | The translation is NKJV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. John Maxwell wrote articles on leadership. Notes connect with leadership principles. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| NKJV Study Bible  | The translation is NKJV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. The notes reflect “the mind of a scholar and the heart of a pastor.” It has 15k notes, 114 theology articles, and 16 full-color maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
Also, see Best Revelation Commentaries to learn more.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| New Inductive Study Bible  | The translation is NASB or ESV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. It includes a 32-page guide of the inductive study method with instructions for how to mark text. It has 23 pages of charts, timelines, and maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| NIV Study Bible  | The translation is NIV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. It contains a concordance and study notes. It has character studies, archaeology notes, application helps,color maps, charts, and diagrams. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| NLT Illustrated  | The translation is NLT. Jesus’ words ARE in red. It has lots of colors and targets visual learners. It has notes, articles, tables, charts, graphics, and color maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Orthodox Study Bible  | The translation is NKJV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. The notes reflect an Orthodox perspective. It includes liturgical readings, book intros, outlines, color maps, and icons. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Prophecy Study Bible  | The translation is NKJV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. Pastor John Hagee is the General Editor. It includes prophecy articles, prophecy Q & A, and maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN |
| Pursuit of God Bible (A.W. Tozer)  | The translation is NIV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. It includes Tozer’s insights on Christian living. It has 600 readings from Tozer. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Quest Study Bible  | The translation is NIV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. Notes aim to help young Christians. There are 7k sidebar notes, 350 articles, 16 pages of color maps, 150 charts, and timelines. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Rainbow Study Bible  | The translation is NIV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. It underlines all words directly spoken by God. It also has a color-system, a reading guide, a concordance, and color maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Reformation Study Bible  | The translation is ESV or NKJV. Jesus’ words aren’t in red. 75 pastors and theologians contributed led by R.C. Sproul. It has 10k notes and color maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Ryrie Study Bible  | The translation is NASB, KJV, or ESV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. It reflects a premillennial perspective. It includes 10k notes, articles on theology, maps, and an 8-page timeline. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
Also Best Matthew Commentaries to learn more.
| Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Scofield Study Bible (New)  | The translation is NKJV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. There are 550 in-text definitions and a chain reference system. It includes articles, charts, lists, 16 color maps, 70 charts, and maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Scofield Study Bible (Old)  | The translation is KJV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. It includes premillennial teaching from C.I. Scofield. There are 16 pages of maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Spirit-Filled Life Bible  | The translation is NKJV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. Pastor Jack Hayford is the General Editor. It includes 650 word studies, 192 guided prayers, color design maps, and charts. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Spiritual Warfare Bible  | The translation is MEV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. The notes focus on spiritual warfare. It also has 250 prayers, 200 tips for spiritual warfare, maps, and charts. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Swindoll Study Bible  | The translation is NLT. Jesus’ words ARE in red. Pastor Chuck Swindoll wrote the study notes, which focus on application. It includes biographies, geography notes, written prayers, maps, and photos. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Thompson Chain-Reference  | The translation is KJV or ESV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. The publisher describes it as a “self-contained library” of study tools. It has 100k topical references, 8k chain topics, and 14 color maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Wiersbe Study Bible  | The translation is NKJV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. Pastor Warren Wiersbe wrote the study notes. It also includes notes and color maps. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
| Woman’s Study Bible  | The translation is NIV. Jesus’ words ARE in red. Notes have contributions from 80 women authors. There are 300 in-text articles, charts, maps, and tables. See on Amazon using the exact ISBN See on Christianbook using the exact ISBN |
Also, see Best Bible Commentary Series: Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.
Also Best Romans Commentaries to learn more.
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