According to a digital survey carried out by the children’s organization World Vision, using the Bible Gateway platform, John 3:16 is the most well-known Bible verse worldwide.
The verse, which reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” is referred to as “a summary of Christianity’s central tenets, highlighting God’s love for people, Jesus as the Father’s Son and the connection between becoming a Christian and having eternal life.”
The study looked at country-by-country Google search data for the top 100 Bible verses. With 2.1 million monthly Google searches, the verse was also found to be the most popular on social media, appearing in more than 250,000 posts on Instagram and receiving more than 55.9 million views on TikTok.
Tied for second place overall is Jeremiah 29:11 which reads, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” and Philippians 4:13 which reads, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The two verses each received 82,000 monthly searches.
John 10:10 which reads, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” landed in third place with 73,000 monthly searches globally.
In the UK ranking, the Old Testament is more prominent than the New. The first verse of The first chapter of Genesis appears with three verses in the UK top 10. Isaiah appears twice, at sixth with 41:10 and ninth at 40:31. John, the only author of a New Testament book to make the top 10 in the UK, is ranked third with 14:6: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”” and ninth with 16:33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
In contrast, the Old Testament only receives two top ten spots on the global list, both from Proverbs 3:6 and 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Romans feature twice with 8:28 (“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”) and 3:23 (“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”). However, the study found that Central and South American nations preferred Genesis passages, with 1:26 being the most popular, which begins, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…””
The organization notes that Latin America is a particularly religious region of the world with a significant Christian population, and that Genesis stands head and shoulders above other verses from other parts of the Bible in terms of popularity.
It suggests that the narrative of Genesis, which is about beginnings and creation, appears to resonate well with folks living in Central and South America. The two most well-known lines that follow one another describe the moment God created man in his own image and gave him dominion over the natural world. It describes the close ties that exist between people and God, as well as the importance of such ties since the dawn of time.
Paul’s letter also ranks six and seven in the world list, with verses 4:8 (“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”) and 4:6 (“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”) attracting 79,000 monthly searches each.
The top 10 most popular Bible verses in the world:
- John 3:16 – 2,100,000 monthly searches
- Jeremiah 29:11 and Philippians 4:13 – 82,000 monthly searches
- John 10:10 – 73,000 monthly searches
- Proverbs 3:5 – 58,000 monthly searches
- Matthew 28:19 – 50,000 monthly searches
- Philippians 4:8 – 42,000 monthly searches
- Philippians 4:6 – 37,000 monthly searches
- Romans 8:28 and James 1:3 – 33,000 monthly searches
- Proverbs 3:6 and Ephesians 2:8 – 32,000 monthly searches
- Romans 3:23 – 27,000 monthly searches
