THE 66 MOST POPULAR BIBLE VERSES (ONE FROM EACH BOOK)

I stumbled across a great new resource called Top Verses. Somehow they have sorted, and racked and stacked every verse of the Bible by online use. I used the data to extract the most popular Bible verses in each book of the Bible. John had the top three most used Bible verses but we’re only identifying the most popular in each book.

Some of the results shocked me. Many of the first and second verses of the Bible were identified as the most used. Some books just don’t get the love (right Haggai?) that others do.

I listed each verse and then mentioned its overall popularity. For example, the most popular bible verse in Ezra is not that popular across the board.

Enjoy!!

The Most Popular Bible Verses In The Law

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

This verse is #1 for Genesis and #7 for the entire Bible.

Exodus 3:14 “God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”

#1 for Exodus and #136 for the entire Bible

Leviticus 18:22 Don’t have sex with a man as one does with a woman. That is abhorrent.

Amazingly a Bible verse confronting societal perversion is near the top 100.

#1 for Leviticus and #101 for the entire Bible.

Numbers 6:24 The LORD bless you and keep you.

I’m using my veto power already. According to my source, the most popular verse in Numbers pertains to taking a census. I’m calling horsey hockey. The census taking in Numbers is painful.

#2 for Numbers and #889 for the entire Bible.

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

#1 for Deuteronomy and #51 for the entire Bible.

The Most Popular Bible Verses In Joshua and Judges

Joshua 24:15(b) But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

The beginning of this verse often gets overlooked. I accommodated — this time.

#1 for Joshua and #263 for the entire Bible.

Judges 1:3 The men of Judah then said to the Simeonites their fellow Israelites, “Come up with us into the territory allotted to us, to fight against the Canaanites. We in turn will go with you into yours.” So the Simeonites went with them.

#1 for Judges (sadly) and #3,232 for the entire Bible.

The book of Judges is not too popular. There are some great segments of this book! What about Jael’s violent outburst? Samson had a nice run. A talking donkey! Gideon and his 318 soldiers. So many awesome things.

Shocking Bible Verses

Ruth 1:16 But Ruth replied: Don’t plead with me to abandon you or to return and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

#1 for Ruth and #1,165 for the entire Bible.

I’m surprised that this verse is outside the top 1,000. Such a great verse and book of the Bible!

I Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

#1 for I Samuel and #806 for the entire Bible.

David knows what it’s like to be the last person picked. Things turned out pretty well for him.

2 Samuel 2:3 And David brought up his men who were with him, everyone with his household, and they lived in the towns of Hebron.

#1 for II Samuel and #1,148 for the entire Bible.

Popular Bible Verses In The Book of Kings

I Kings 2:3 Obey the laws of God and follow all his ways; keep each of his commands written in the law of Moses so that you will prosper in everything you do, wherever you turn.

#1 for I Kings and #1,399 for the entire Bible.

II Kings 2:3 The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master from you today?” “Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”

#1 for II Kings and #1,314 for the entire Bible.

Interestingly, both I Kings and II Kings had the same address (2:3) for the most popular bible verse.

I Chronicles 1:2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared.

How in the world did a bible verse with three names become the most popular bible verse for this book?

#1 for I Chronicles and #305 for the entire Bible. Unbelievable!

Called By His Name

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Veto power once again. The most popular was a chapter introduction. Sheesh.

#2 for II Chronicles and #341 for the entire Bible.

This is one of those Hobby Lobby Bible verses.

Ezra 1:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing.

Ezra gets no love. I believe that Ezra is the coolest name in the Bible.

#1 for Ezra and #1,559 for the entire Bible.

Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

#1 for Nehemiah and #2,051 for the entire Bible.

Wow, Ezra crushed Nehemiah!

The Most Popular Bible Verses in Esther and Job

Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this?

No surprise that this is the most popular Bible verse in Esther. I am surprised that it is only #2,985 for the entire Bible! Wow!

Job 1:6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.

This one is #401 for the entire Bible. Impressive.

The Most Popular Bible Verses in Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Okay, I am shocked once again. I was certain that something from Psalm 23 would be #1 in the book of Psalms.

#1 for Psalms and #192 for the entire Bible.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

This verse is bringing the heat! It is ranked #28 in the entire Bible.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.

Ranked #380 for the entire Bible.

Song of Songs 2:1 I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.

Ranked #857 for the whole Bible.

The Most Popular Bible Verses in the Major Prophets

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah representing — this verse is ranked #49!

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I am slightly surprised that this one didn’t crack the top ten. It did very well and is ranked #29.

This one qualifies as a Hobby Lobby Bible verse.

Hobby Lobby Bible Verse

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because His compassions fail not.

This verse is ranked #1,398.

Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Zeke was unable to make it under a thousand and comes in at #1,146.

Daniel 9:24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.”

Danny’s most popular bible verse lands at #359. Not too shabby.

Most Popular Bible Verses in the Minor Prophets

Hosea 4:6(a) My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.

This Bible verse ranks #469 for the entire Bible and is #1 for the book of Hosea.

Joel 2:28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”

The charismatics are searching the scriptures! Joel 2:28 cracked the top 100 and ranks #90!

Amos 4:1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!”

Any verse that gets away with calling a person a cow has my vote!

Amos 4:1 is ranked #400.

These Are Not The Droids…

Obadiah 2 See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised.

Poor Obadiah. He’s such an underrated and misunderstood prophet. The most popular bible verse in Obadiah is ranked #2,085. Yikes!

Jonah 1:1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai.

Boring. A huge fish swallowed Jonah and then vomited him on the shore! How did this intro verse get ranked as #1 for the book? Tragic.

This verse is ranked #1,144.

Micah 6:8 He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah cracked the top 1oo by coming in at #99!

Double Double With Animal Fries Bible Verse

Nahum 1:2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.

Nahum has a verse that is popular with In-N-Out Burger (Nahum 1:7) but this one is unpopular and ranks at #2,385.

Habakkuh 1:2 How long, Lord, have I called for help, And You do not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save.

Another introduction verse. There are many better verses but this is what is ranked #1 for the book and #1,856 for the entire Bible.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, a Powerful One Who wins the battle. He will have much joy over you. With His love He will give you new life. He will have joy over you with loud singing.

I wonder why the name, Zephaniah, never became famous. This verse ranks as the 1,522 most popular Bible verse.

Introductions

Haggai 1:5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.”

The #1 verse for Haggai was another introduction. Nope. Not allowing it.

This verse is the 3rd most popular in the book and ranks #3,055 in the entire Bible.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Awesome! One of the many Messianic prophecies made the cut. It made the top 1,000 coming in at a respectable #739.

Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.

This one ranks as the 492nd most popular bible verse. It’s probably the #1 most misunderstood verse in the entire bible, though.

If you desire clarity concerning tithing, click here for the Ultimate Guide to Tithing.

THE MOST POPULAR BIBLE VERSES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The Gospels & The Acts of the Apostles

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Shocker! I expected Matthew 7:1 to take the gold.

The Great Commission ranks as the 4th most popular bible verse! I am stunned!

Mark 1:15 The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The most popular verses in Mark were part of the Great Commission. Those verses in Mark are questionable as if they should be included in the Bible. The content makes sense. It fits things that Jesus would have said. I’m exercising an abundance of caution, however.

The “repent” verse from Mark ranks at #332.

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”

Jesus is quoting a prophecy from the prophet Isaiah.

This verse is quite popular and comes in at #76!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

St. John wrote the three most popular Bible verses. The other two are John 1:1 and John 14:6. He’s like the SEC in football. Eleven of the verses written by John cracked the top 50. Bravo!!

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The charismatics return with power and rank #8!

The Most Popular Bible Verses in Paul’s Letters

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

It’s a verse about sin making some headway. This verse landed at #5! WOW!!

I Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites…

Another in-your-face verse from the Apostle Paul comes in at a respectable #137.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

This very important bible verse settles in at #43!

Well done.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…

There are a few more fruit to mention. Embrace gentleness and self-control.

This verse comes in at #27.

Paul is doing well.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

This important verse proudly rests at #6. Grace alone and through faith alone are key components of historical Christianity.

Hobby Lobby Up Ahead

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

This Hobby Lobby Bible verse ranks #54. I am shocked! If I were a gambler I would have bet that this would have been a top twenty bible verse.

Colossians 1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Another hit verse by the Apostle Paul. This one stands firmly at #93.

More Letters From Paul

I Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

This is a popular Bible verse that is used during funerals.

It currently ranks as the 146th most popular bible verse.

II Thessalonians 2:3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

A steep fall off for the great apostle to #978!

I Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.

The next three books are pastoral epistles. I expect a popularity decline.

This bible verse comes in at #180. Wow. I expected it to be much lower.

II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.

This is the key verse to The Profit Dare and it ranks as the 9th most popular Bible verse!

YES!

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Paul keeps cranking them out with this verse ranked as the 31st most popular Bible verse.

Philemon 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

Quite the steep decline. Phil ranks at #968.

The Most Popular Bible Verses — General Letters +

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

This kickoff to the great chapter on faith is proudly positioned at #44 — just like Hank Aaron.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Another top 100 verse landing at #59.

I Peter 2:3 Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Okay…#120. Odd.

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

This one is vital and makes a decent showing at #153.

Most Popular Verses in John’s Epistles and Revelatiohn

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

This should be #1 based on frequency of use but it lands respectably at #41.

2 John 2 Because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever.

John’s 2nd epistle’s most popular verse is #113.

3 John 3 It gave me great joy to have some believers come and testify to your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.

His third epistle isn’t experiencing the love of his other work. This one sneaks under the top 1,000 at #824.

Jude 2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

We’re heading back towards the introduction bible verses. This one isn’t doing that bad at #297.

Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me.

The most popular bible verse in the most confusing New Testament book lands at #119.