I had forgotten that this story is the context for the most popular verse of the Bible, John 3:16. His conversation with Jesus surprised him and ultimately changed his life forever. “I heard a sermon recently about Nicodemus, the religious leader who came to Jesus at night-time so he wouldn’t be seen by others. Similar to Richard, Amy Boucher Pye, who runs a Christian-focused blog and is also an author, speaker and spiritual director, gave us her thoughts on why John 3:16 might be the most popular Bible verse and what it means to her: It was in the darkness that those words were both spoken and fulfilled.” For it was in the darkness of the tomb that the resurrection happened. As with Nicodemus, the words of John 3:16 continue to speak to us in times of darkness and confusion. I’m sure he would have recalled that previous night-time encounter as they did so. “Fast forward a couple of years and it’s nearing darkness again as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea lay Jesus’ body in the tomb (John 19: 38-42). It’s a time of confusion and Nicodemus realises there was more to God than he had ever thought. But now, as he visits Jesus in the darkness (and afraid of his fellow Pharisees for doing so), Nicodemus encounters someone who challenges that received and perceived wisdom. It’s possible that, throughout his life, he may have simply accepted all that was taught to him by the Jewish rabbis. “As I have reflected on these words over the years, I’ve moved into an understanding not just about God’s love for the world and everyone in it (including me) but what it meant for the first person who heard those words: Nicodemus. Firstly, we spoke to Richard Frost, Lay Minister, author, and the writer behind the blog Work Rest Pray, he went into a little more detail about how he interprets the verse: Butler as “the golden test of the Bible”, it’s long been used by Christian leaders and through the media, so it’s no surprise that it’s also the most searched of all Bible verses.Īs it is a prevalent verse within the Bible, we wanted to get the opinions of others and ask them what John 3:16 means to them. John 3:16 is a short and clear 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 everlasting life – a lot to cover in a mere 26 words!ĭescribed in 1961 by author of The Gospel of John: A New Commentary, Paul T. Why is John 3:16 the most popular Bible verse? With over a million more searches a month than any other Bible verse, it’s significantly the most popular around the globe and the most popular in many countries, including the UK. The most popular Bible verse in the world is John 3:16, which is searched over two million times each month across the globe. “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.” Mark 16:15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.John 3:16 is the world’s most popular Bible verse Psalm 27:13 “Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.”Įsther 4:14 “…Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17 “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. Luke 1:37 “For the word of God will never fail.” Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. 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.” Psalm 46:5 “God is within her, she will not fall God will help her at break of day.” Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Proverbs 3:6 “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Micah 6:8 “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it”Ĭolossians 3:12 “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
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