Scripture 

A commentary is a verse by verse, or passage by passage explanation of the whole Bible or of a particular biblical book.  Some biblical commentaries include the biblical text while others simply provide the reference to the verse or passage.  They are helpful in getting scholarly opinion about the meaning of scriptural passages or verses.

Barton, John, and John Muddiman, ed. The Oxford Bible Commentary. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Reference 220.7 O98

Over seventy international scholars contributed to this single volume commentary based on the New Revised Standard Version.  In addition to the scriptural commentary, varied introductory material is included providing context for the history, interpretation, and key themes of each book. Additional articles are included for extra-canonical early Christian literature, and post-biblical Jewish literature. Bibliographies accompany each entry.

Brown, Raymond E., Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Roland E. Murphy, ed. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 1990.
Reference 220.7 B879j 1989

This commentary by outstanding Roman Catholic scholars utilizes the principles of modern biblical criticism to interpret the word of God. Each book of the Bible is treated in somewhat the same manner: a bibliography, an introduction which deals with the date of composition, the structure of the book, and a general interpretation followed by a verse-by-verse explanation or commentary.

Farmer, William R., ed. The International Bible Commentary: A Catholic and Ecumenical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, c1998.
Reference 220.7 F234i

Taking its inspiration from the Second Vatican Council, this commentary seeks to be ecumenical in scope while remaining faithful to the scriptural teachings of the Catholic Church.