BibleRef

Ever wished you had a friend who could sit with you and walk through a Bible passage — explaining the context, unpacking the meaning, and connecting it to the bigger story — without making you feel like you need a seminary degree? That's exactly what BibleRef.com was built to be.^1

BibleRef is a free, comprehensive online Bible commentary from Got Questions Ministries. It offers verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter commentary across all 66 books of the Bible, with new content published twice monthly as the team works toward full coverage. Each verse page includes the text in seven different translations (ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV) side by side, along with original commentary and cross-references that show how passages connect across Scripture.^2 The site also offers a growing Spanish-language library, with recent additions including Ruth and Obadías.^2

What sets BibleRef apart from other commentary sites is its commitment to accessibility without sacrificing depth. The project is guided by three core principles — Biblical Authority, Accessibility, and Discipleship — and the commentary intentionally avoids jargon, theological slogans, and denominational agendas. When passages have multiple legitimate interpretations, BibleRef presents the different views honestly rather than forcing a single reading.^1 With over 31,000 verses and nearly 1,200 chapters to cover, the team anticipates the project will take at least five years, most likely more, to complete.^3

Commentary is written by a small team of qualified writers through Got Questions Ministries and edited for clarity, accuracy, and consistency by the site's general editor, Jeff Laird, a former engineer who left his career to follow a calling into full-time ministry. The project launched after a donor who shared the vision for an accessible Bible commentary funded the first ten months of development; the startup team also included CEO S. Michael Houdmann and writer Dillon Burroughs.^3

"Your app is my introduction to the Bible and it is exactly what I need in order for me to open my mind to it. Before I stumbled onto your website, I have been very confused when opening the Bible. Even your meanings speak to me in a deep way that brings me peace as I read it."^4

"Even apps that make you pay for their pro version still do not compare to this free app! This is the first and only review I have ever done on any app in all the years of having an iPhone — so that should tell you how I feel about this Bible app compared to all the others I've had!"^4

"I traded phones and lost this app in the data transfer. I couldn't remember the name or the icon so after searching for about an hour I prayed and asked the Lord to help me find it. I believed He would help. This morning sure enough He did help!!"^5

• Part of the Got Questions Ministries network (GotQuestions.org, CompellingTruth.org, 412Teens.org, GQKidz.org), unified under the GQM.one brand with monthly GQM One Focus collaborations across network sites, led by CEO S. Michael Houdmann, headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO^6
• The ministry explicitly states they do not use AI to write commentary — AI accelerates research, but human writers produce all published content^7
• Recent content milestones (as of June 16, 2026): chapter-level commentary complete for 1 & 2 Samuel; 1 Kings chapters 1–3; Isaiah chapters 37–38; expanding Spanish library with Ruth (all four chapters) and Obadías^2
• The BibleRef app received a significant update (v1.2.1, April 2026) adding a verse popup feature, updated search tools, a new home screen layout, font size adjustments, and restored book tabs^4
• Content is approved for sharing, distribution, and printing for non-commercial purposes, with formal MLA, APA, and Chicago citation formats provided on the about page^1
• Author names are intentionally withheld to keep focus on the material and protect writers from harassment; the ministry's CEO may be referenced when a name is absolutely required^1

Platforms: iOS, Android, Web Pricing: Free (donation-supported)