Summary

What is the shortest verse in the bible

What is the shortest verse in the bible

The Power of Brevity: 100 Short Bible Verses That Pack a Spiritual Punch

 

By www.holylandmerchandise.com

In the vast library of Scripture, spanning sixty-six books and thousands of years of history, we often look for the grand theological treatises of Paul or the sweeping narratives of Exodus. But sometimes, the Holy Spirit speaks loudest in whispers.

As a theologian and writer who has spent decades exploring the depths of the Bible, I am often asked: “What is the shortest verse in the Bible?”

The Sunday School answer, the trivia night champion, is almost universally known in the English-speaking world: John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.”

However, the beauty of Scripture is that “Jesus wept” is not the only diamond of brevity. Depending on the original Greek text or the translation you read, other verses challenge this title. For instance, 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (“Rejoice always”) is actually shorter in the original Greek than “Jesus wept.”

But why do we care about the shortest verses? It isn’t just about trivia. It is because these short bursts of truth are portable. They are easy to memorize, easy to recall in times of crisis, and easy to share. They are “spiritual espresso shots”—concentrated power.

Below, I have curated a list of 100 Short Bible Verses. While John 11:35 takes the crown, these 99 others are short, potent, and perfect for meditation, memorization, and social media sharing.

The “Official” Shortest Verse

 

1. John 11:35 – Jesus wept.

The Greek Contenders (Paul’s Rapid-Fire Commands)

 

2. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – Rejoice always.

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing. / Pray continually.

4. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 – Do not quench the Spirit.

5. 1 Thessalonians 5:20 – Do not despise prophecies.

6. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Test all things.

7. 1 Thessalonians 5:25 – Brethren, pray for us.

The Nature of God

 

8. 1 John 4:8 – God is love.

9. 1 John 1:5 – God is light.

10. Hebrews 12:29 – For our God is a consuming fire.

11. Psalm 99:9 – For the LORD our God is holy.

12. Psalm 116:5 – Gracious is the LORD, and righteous.

13. Psalm 145:9 – The LORD is good to all.

14. Nahum 1:7 – The LORD is good.

15. Malachi 3:6 – For I am the LORD, I change not.

16. Deuteronomy 6:4 – The LORD our God is one LORD.

17. Exodus 15:3 – The LORD is a man of war.

Identity & Action of Jesus

 

18. John 10:30 – I and my Father are one.

19. John 14:6 – I am the way, the truth, and the life.

20. John 8:58 – Before Abraham was, I am.

21. John 6:35 – I am the bread of life.

22. John 10:11 – I am the good shepherd.

23. John 15:1 – I am the true vine.

24. Matthew 28:6 – He is not here: for he is risen.

25. John 19:30 – It is finished.

26. Mark 4:39 – Peace, be still.

27. Matthew 11:28 – Come unto me.

28. John 11:25 – I am the resurrection, and the life.

29. Luke 24:34 – The Lord is risen indeed.

Commands for Christian Living

 

30. Luke 17:32 – Remember Lot’s wife.

31. 1 Corinthians 16:14 – Let all your things be done with charity.

32. 1 Corinthians 16:13 – Watch ye, stand fast in the faith.

33. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – Do all to the glory of God.

34. Colossians 3:2 – Set your affection on things above.

35. James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God.

36. James 4:8 – Draw nigh to God.

37. Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another.

38. Ephesians 5:18 – And be not drunk with wine.

39. Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord alway.

40. Romans 12:12 – Rejoicing in hope.

41. Romans 12:9 – Let love be without dissimulation.

42. 2 Timothy 2:3 – Endure hardness, as a good soldier.

43. 1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon him.

44. 1 Peter 2:17 – Honor all men. Love the brotherhood.

45. 1 Peter 1:16 – Be ye holy; for I am holy.

46. Galatians 5:16 – Walk in the Spirit.

47. Hebrews 13:1 – Let brotherly love continue.

Powerful Psalms & Praise

 

48. Psalm 23:1 – The LORD is my shepherd.

49. Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God.

50. Psalm 56:3 – What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

51. Psalm 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.

52. Psalm 118:24 – This is the day which the LORD hath made.

53. Psalm 136:1 – O give thanks unto the LORD.

54. Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD.

55. Psalm 100:1 – Make a joyful noise unto the LORD.

56. Psalm 18:1 – I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

57. Psalm 37:4 – Delight thyself also in the LORD.

58. Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God.

59. Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God.

60. Psalm 27:1 – The LORD is my light and my salvation.

61. Psalm 103:1 – Bless the LORD, O my soul.

62. Psalm 107:2 – Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.

Wisdom from Proverbs

 

63. Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart.

64. Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpeneth iron.

65. Proverbs 18:10 – The name of the LORD is a strong tower.

66. Proverbs 10:12 – Love covereth all sins.

67. Proverbs 17:22 – A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.

68. Proverbs 28:1 – The righteous are bold as a lion.

69. Proverbs 16:3 – Commit thy works unto the LORD.

70. Proverbs 16:9 – A man’s heart deviseth his way.

71. Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goeth before destruction.

72. Proverbs 13:20 – He that walketh with wise men shall be wise.

Faith & Salvation

 

73. Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace are ye saved through faith.

74. Romans 10:9 – Jesus is Lord.

75. Romans 1:17 – The just shall live by faith.

76. Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for.

77. Acts 16:31 – Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

78. Luke 1:37 – For with God nothing shall be impossible.

79. Mark 9:24 – Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

80. 2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Warnings & Reality Checks

 

81. Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned.

82. Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death.

83. John 16:33 – In the world ye shall have tribulation.

84. 1 Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is the root of all evil.

85. James 4:17 – To him that knoweth to do good… it is sin.

86. Galatians 6:7 – Be not deceived; God is not mocked.

87. Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way which seemeth right unto a man.

Future & Hope

 

88. Revelation 22:20 – Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

89. Revelation 21:5 – Behold, I make all things new.

90. Philippians 1:21 – For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

91. Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ.

92. Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you.

93. Psalm 23:6 – Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me.

94. Isaiah 40:8 – The word of our God shall stand for ever.

95. Matthew 24:35 – Heaven and earth shall pass away.

96. Romans 8:31 – If God be for us, who can be against us?

97. 1 Corinthians 13:13 – But the greatest of these is love.

98. Psalm 30:5 – Joy cometh in the morning.

99. Exodus 14:14 – The LORD shall fight for you.

100. Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

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Why Memorize Short Verses?

 

The shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept,” teaches us about the profound humanity and empathy of our Savior. But as you can see from this list, brevity often houses the greatest density of truth. Whether you are teaching a toddler their first scripture, looking for a mantra to get you through a hard workday, or needing a quick sword of the Spirit to fight temptation, these short verses are your arsenal.

Keep them close. They are small enough to fit in your pocket, but heavy enough to anchor your soul.