Popular bible verses are typically very easy to spot.
When we come across a popular bible verse we know it instinctively. The level of familiarity with what it says, understanding of its meaning, and the ability to recall its biblical reference sometimes indicate the popularity of a bible quote.
In the article, I have assembled some of the most famous bible quotes for your perusal. Use them for encouragement, inspiration, creativity, correction, guidance, and personal education.
Selection Criteria for the most famous bible verses
According to Wikipedia, there are over 31,000 verses in the bible. Over time, a number of these verse has grown in popularity which means that the most popular bible verses have a higher likelihood of being mentioned.
Here are additional factors I considered when selecting the popular bible verses featured in this blog post.
- Public opinion: We considered the opinions of some users on Quora. I asked this Question on the platform: Which Bible verse(s) do you keep running into? As of the time of writing, 854 people viewed it and I received 12 answers—some of which made the selection.
- Christian Goods: We also looked at Christian materials such as print mugs, shirts, etc on platforms like Etsy. We cross-referenced the number of sales made per commodity to find the bile verses and designs that people loved. [See HoneySoul Etsy shop]
- Occurrence in biblical literature: Some famous bible quotes mentioned are seminal to several subject matters of the Christian doctrine. I reckon that the popularity of these topics will correlate directly to the use of these bible verses. Some of the famous bible verses listed in this article were frequently featured in devotionals, biblical exegesis, sermons, and other biblical creative works.
- Personal experience: Personal observation of some specific bible verses I keep reading or hearing on different occasions. The odds are that other people are also running into some of these famous quotes from the bible.
39 most Famous Bible verses (in no particular order)
1. Philippians 2:12
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Famous for: Its occurrence in discussions and arguments about salvation
2. Philippians 4:6–8
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Famous for: encourages people to pray and pray with the right attitude.
3. Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Famous for: A motivational verse often misinterpreted.
4. Ephesians 4:11
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers.
Famous for: Description of the different spiritual offices in the body of Christ
5. Jude 1:20
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.
Famous for: A charge and invitation to pray in tongues. See also: How I started speaking in tongues
6. Jude 1:24
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.
Famous for: praising God’s willingness and ability to preserve his people.
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Famous for: A popular bible verse known for its encouragement and features in creative designs
8. Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Famous for: A famous bible quote that warrants complete trust in Yahweh.
9. Titus 3:1
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.
Famous for: Its relevance in biblical topics of leadership and followership
10. 2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Famous for: A popular bible verse famous for stirring one to boldness and confidence.
11. 2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
Famous for: One of the most famous quotes from the bible for emphasizing the relevance of the Bible.
12. James 1:16–18
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Quoted as: “Every good gift comes from the Father above”
Famous for: Reiterating the goodness of God.
13. 1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Quoted as “He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world.”
Famous for: A famous bible quote popularized as a declaration of God’s sovereignty and indwelling presence in the wake of enemy attack.
Related: How do I know I have the Holy Spirit?
14. 1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.
Famous for: High relevance to the subject matter of Love and Agape love.
15. John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Quoted as: “The thief cometh only to kill, steal and destroy”
Famous for: A famous bible quote that exposes the nature, and devices of the devil.
16. John 3:16: The summarized gospel message
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Famous for: One of the most popular bible verses as a result of its ease of memorization and crucial role in teaching and learning about salvation. Every Bible student knows this verse!
17. Ephesians 2:8–9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Famous for: Its occurrence in discussions about salvation and the finished work of Christ.
18. John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
famous for: A famous quote from the bible popular for its rhyming, ease of memorization, difficulty in comprehension, and high relevance in discussions about the Trinity.
19. Matthew 28:19–20
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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Famous for: A popular bible verse stylized as The Great Commission
20. Galatians 2:19–20
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Famous for: The bible verse that every born-again must have confessed.
21. Psalm 105:15
Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.
Famous for: One of the famous quotes from the bible hailing God’s protection usually in the wake of an enemy attack.
22. 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Quoted as “ We are God’s chosen people called out of darkness into light.”
Famous for: Group exhortation affirming the rescue and salvation in Christ
23. Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Famous for: frequent mentions in lessons about guarding the heart.
24. Psalms 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
I am wonderfully and fearfully made by God
Famous for: Affirming beauty and competence
25. John 11:35
And Jesus wept
Famous for: A famous bible quote popularized as one of the shortest bible verses and easiest to memorize.
26. Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Famous for: Usage in prayers asking for forgiveness of sins.
27. Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Famous for: frequent usage in discussions of the Holy Spirit and the lifestyle of a Christian
28. Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Famous for: Confessions in trying times
29. Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Famous for: Invitation to stand out as a Christian and resist the spirit in the world
30. John 14:6
Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Famous for: One of the most famous quotes by Jesus**,** ease of memorization.
31. Acts 1:8
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Famous for: Intimation of the Advent of the Holy Spirit and spread of the Gospel through disciples
32. Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Quoted as: “For the wages of sin is death”
Famous for: A famous quote from the bible used frequently in the rebuke and confession of sin.
33. Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Famous for: Popularized as the opening verse of the bible and crucial in the Creation story.
34. Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Famous for: A bible verse about salvation
35. Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Famous for: Relevance in questions about the origins of Man.
36. Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
Famous for: Ease of memory and invitation to commit project plans to God in prayer.
37. Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Famous for: One of the popular bible verses that feature in aesthetic print items and art collectibles
38. Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Quoted as, “Choose for yourself this whom you shall serve. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Famous for: Declaration of one’s loyalty and devotion to the one true God, Yahweh.
39. Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.
Famous for: Transformation of prayers of submission to God.
Conclusion
That’s all for now.
What percentage of these popular bible verses have you seen or heard repeatedly?
Which bible verse(s) do you think should be included on the list, and why?
