Top 10 Most Highlighted Bible Verses

If you follow my public page on Facebook you’ll know that this week I became the proud owner of an Amazon Kindle Wi-Fi + Free 3G ( also available in Wi-Fi only ) [affiliate links]. I’ll say at the outset; I love it! I’m actually really surprised how much I love it, but I’ll write about that sometime in the future.

One feature of a Kindle is that when you’re reading a book you can highlight significant sections. Not that exciting? Maybe not. But this feature gets really interesting when you enable your Kindle to show you the most popular highlighted sections in that book from all Kindle users.

Crossway has made their ESV Bible free on the Kindle Store. With anticipation I opened it and asked it to show me the top 10 most highlighted verses. Below is the result!

1. 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.”

2. Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

3. Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

4. Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

5. Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

6. Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

7. Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

8. Ephesians 2:8-10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

9. Matthew 6:33-34

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

10. Philippians 4:11-13

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

I find these results really interesting. I’m not surprised to see John 3:16 or Ephesians 2:8-10, but I was surprised to see 3 of the top 10 were from Philippians. Also, I don’t know what tradition the Christians come from who use a Kindle and read the ESV. If I had to guess, this would be my logic. Kindle is marketed to serious readers; Reformed Christians are especially known for being serious readers. The ESV (the Elect Standard Version?) is very popular in Reformed (at least YR&R) circles. If this is true, why nothing from Romans? This is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but isn’t Romans 9:13 highlighted in every Reformed Christians’ Bible? 😉

What do you think of the verses? In your mind are there any surprise appearances, or a startling absence? What would feature in your top 10 if we flipped through your Bible?

Leave a comment, discuss it on Facebook, or send me on a tweet on Twitter.