10 most popular Bible verses during Holy Week

During Holy Week, Bible readers find inspiration and comfort throughout Scripture, but they spend most of their time reading verses in the Gospels.

Data from YouVersion’s Bible app reveals which verses and books of the Bible are most popular among users in the week leading up to Easter.

Looking at the 10 most popular verses over the past five years, John appears most often with nine different verses. Followed by Matthew (five), Luke (five), and Psalms (five). Readers also turned to Romans (four), Philippians (three), Isaiah (three), Mark (one), and 1 Peter (one).

The 10 most popular verses during Holy Week over the past five years are:

1. Matthew 28:6 “He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (CSB)

The angel’s words to the women at the tomb appeared in the top 10 verses in three different years (2022, 2021, and 2018). And this was the most popular verse each time.

2. Romans 5:8 “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (CSB)

Paul’s theological explanation of Christ’s sacrificial death to the Romans made the list twice (2021 and 2018)

3. Philippians 2:7 “Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity.” (CSB)

This verse in Paul’s letter dives into the humility of Jesus and appeared on the list three times (2022, 2021, and 2020). Other verses from that chapter also made the list.

4. John 13:34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.” (CSB)

During the Last Supper, Jesus lays out His command of love to His disciples. This made the top 10 twice (2022 and 2019).

5. John 3:16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (CSB)

The most famous verse in Scripture appeared most often in the lists over the past five years (2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019).

6. Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.” (CSB)

One of the Old Testament prophecies of Jesus and His death made the top lists for three years (2022, 2021, and 2018).

The angelic greeting at the tomb in Mark made the top 10 once in the past five years—when it was the top verse in 2020.

8. John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live.’” (CSB)

Jesus spoke these words to Martha about the death of her brother Lazarus, and they continue to bring comfort today. This was the top verse in 2019.

9. Philippians 2:8 “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.” (CSB)

More words from Paul’s letter to the Philippian church made the list in 2022 and 2019.

10. Luke 19:38 “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!”

The crowd’s quoting of Psalm 118 during the triumphal entry appeared in the top 10 twice (2022 and 2019).