The Macarthur Study Bible ~ New King James Version (NKJV) (Hardcover)

~ John MacArthur (Editor) "The English title, Genesis, comes from the Greek translation (Septuagint, LXX) meaning "origins"; whereas, the Hebrew title is derived from the Bible's very first word,..." (more)
Key Phrases: imperial grain fleet, unredeemed humanness, one silver platter, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, God of Israel (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

MacArthur (pastoral ministries, Master's Seminary, Los Angeles) has produced a reference work packed with study aids. It includes a general introduction to the Bible and how to study it, introductions to each of the books of the Bible (including an outline of the book's contents), a topical index, a set of color maps, comparative time lines, and more. The bulk of the work is devoted to MacArthur's copious notes on the text of the Bible. Few study Bibles contain as much commentary as this one, and the commentary is decidedly and unapologetically conservative and premillennial. This is most obvious in the author's emphasis on the literal interpretation of Scripture and his prophecy/fulfillment approach to much of the Old Testament. The latter aspect is at times so prominent that it detracts from understanding the Old Testament in its own right. Also, though he encourages taking the Bible literally, MacArthur deviates where he needs to. Still, for the sake of diversity and because of its thoroughness, this could be added to the collection alongside other study Bibles.?Craig W. Beard, Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham Lib.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

From the moment you pick it up, you'll know it's a classic. Featuring the word-for-word accuracy of the New King James Version, The MacArthur Study Bible is perfect for serious study.

Dr. John MacArthur has compiled more than 20,000 study notes, a 200-page topical index, and numerous charts, maps, outlines, and articles to create The MacArthur Study Bible. No other study Bible does such a thorough job of explaining the historical context, unfolding the meaning of the text, and placing it within a theological framework.

"Unleashing God's Truth, One Verse at a Time®" is a registered trademark of Grace to You. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 2240 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 5, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849912229
• ISBN-13: 978-0849912221
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #529,141 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

109 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! And I am not even a Dispensationalist!, February 21, 2003

By	J. Oh "aletheia67" (Auburn, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been admiring MacArthur for sometime. His passion for the Biblical truth still burns in him. His Study Bible is far better than all the other Study Bibles to date (including NIV Zondervan Study Bible and New Geneva Study Bible). Here are few reasons:
1. It has extensive study notes. This Study Bible has wealth of spiritual and Biblical information. It is practically a verse by verse expostional Study Bible. This alone merits high praise.
2. It has practical and devotional challenges. The study notes seem to have a goal in mind: holiness through knowledge of God. This particular element is clearly emphasized throughout the study notes.
3. It has useful addtional materials. Aside from maps, introduction and outline to each book of the Bible, it also contains very useful materials, such as: Topical Index, The Character of Genuine Saving Faith, etc.. They are very useful for both personal edification and teaching.

NOTE: This Study Bible teaches premillennialism, pre-tribulational rapture, cessasionism and Reformed (in Soteriology). I am Pre-mill, post-trib, non-cessasionist, and Reformed. Despite these differences, I have found this Study Bible better than all others. I liked it so much, I bought it two more and gave them to my friends!

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Bible, February 2, 2004

By	Gary Bisaga "Christian Father and Husband" (Leesburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Macarthur Study Bible (Black Bonded Leather) (Leather Bound)

This is a great study Bible. MacArthur presents a great deal of intelligent insights and background information, as well as outlining every chapter in the Bible. The outlines alone are worth the price of the Bible. His beginning-of-book summaries are the best I've seen, covering each book's author and date of writing, historical context, and even exegetical problems and theological issues.

About the New King James Version of the Bible: I started off as an NIV user (since that's the first Bible I ever really used). I had always felt the NKJV was sort of a crutch for people who couldn't understand the KJV but couldn't give up their King James forms. When I saw that MacArthur's study Bible was only available in the NKJV, that made me think again. Now I love this translation: it's both accurate and easy to read. I've read the evidence presented by King James Only advocates and, while I respect their sincerity, I am unconvinced that the NKJV is the Enemy's work.

For the reviewers who said that MacArthur only presents one point of view: isn't this what's expected? The whole purpose of a study Bible is that the author of that Bible's notes presents his understanding of Biblical passages, which you are then free to accept or reject (obviously, under wise council of other godly people and the control of the Holy Spirit). I have looked at many study Bibles, and they all do exactly that - Ryrie, Scofield, LaHaye, whoever. Does one expect LaHaye to provide evidence for preterism, or Ryrie for so-called "Lordship Salvation"? I am afraid that when other reviews say "he only presents one point of view" they really mean "he doesn't present MY point of view." Besides, in the beginning-of-book "theological issues" sections MacArthur at least deals with other points of view, something that most others don't do.

A perfect example is the reviewer who mentioned 1 Corinthians 14. Obviously this fellow doesn't agree with MacArthur. Might I hazard a guess that the reviewer is charismatic? MacArthur appears to be a cessationist. But the point is that a study Bible is not the place to cover the issues in detail: if the commentary is not to overwhelm the Biblical text in quantity, probably the best that can be accomplished is to give one point of view. My advice would be to get a good book that covers those types of issues in detail: Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology does a good job of that (while also taking a particular point of view, somewhat different from MacArthur's).

I should note that I am not a cessationist nor a dispensationalist myself. I believe Spiritual Gifts are for today and all history. But, unlike another reviewer, to say cessationism "borders on REAL heresy" is far beyond what can reasonably be concluded from Scripture. "Christianity" as taught by people such as Charles Capps and Frederick Price, yes: cessationalism, no.

In sum, if you're looking for a new Bible that you'll love for years to come, get the MacArthur Study Bible. Whether you agree with everything you read or not (I don't), you will find the notes well thought out and helpful.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're looking for a study Bible -- this is the one!, February 24, 1999

By A Customer

The MacArthur Study Bible is by far the best study Bible on the market. I own several study Bibles (NIV Study Bible, Life Application Study Bible, Old Scofield Study Bible, Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible, Nelson's King James Study Bible, Praise and Worship Study Bible, The Comparative Study Bible, etc.). I can say, without a doubt, that the notes in the MacArthur Study Bible are the finest to be found anywhere. When studying a particular passage of scripture in various commentaries (e.g. The NIV Bible Commentary [i.e., the condensation of the Expositor's Bible Commentary], Tyndale NT Commentaries, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, and the Believer's Bible Commentary), I often find that MacArthur's treatment (in his study Bible) is more detailed!! In all cases, MacArthur reaches a sound conclusion. I have yet to find any theologically unsound teaching in this Bible. MacArthur expounds the Word the way it was meant to be expounded - with clarity, with scholarship, and with a belief in the infallibility of God's inspired Word. Everything in this Bible is top notch. In addition to the abundance of commentary, many other helps are found, e.g. a section on "How We Got The Bible," a section on "How to Study The Bible," wonderful chronological charts, a section entitled "Overview of Theology," etc., etc.. In short, the MacArthur Study Bible has everything other study Bibles (i.e., the ones mentioned above) have, plus more! Additionally, the actual page layout is quite appealing to the eye -- unlike some study Bibles. Also, the book introductions are among the best I have seen.

The New King James Version is an excellent translation. Serious students of the Bible will find the marginal manuscript variation notes invaluable!

I would give the MacArthur Study Bible an unconditionable recommendation to anyone looking for a study Bible giving a detailed treatment of the Word.