Using the text of the English Standard Version, the ESVSB features study notes from a perspective of "classic evangelical orthodoxy, in the historic stream of the Reformation.

"[3] The list of contributors found in the ESVSB contains the following notable biblical scholars:[4][5] The ESV Study Bible was first published in October 2008, having been supported by a $1 million campaign.

[7] Andy Naselli, writing in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, praised the ESV Study Bible: An impressive list of evangelical pastors and teachers enthusiastically endorse the ESVSB, but the main reason it is so popular is its outstanding quality. ...

[13] In 2012, the United Bible Societies (UBS) arranged for Fu Xianwei, chairman of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, to visit Crossway.

After seeing the content and presentation of the ESV Study Bible, Xianwei sought to publish a Chinese edition.