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:
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.
Paul’s theological explanation of Christ’s sacrificial death to the Romans made the list twice (2021 and 2018)
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.
During the Last Supper, Jesus lays out His command of love to His disciples. This made the top 10 twice (2022 and 2019).
The most famous verse in Scripture appeared most often in the lists over the past five years (2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019).
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.
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.
More words from Paul’s letter to the Philippian church made the list in 2022 and 2019.
The crowd’s quoting of Psalm 118 during the triumphal entry appeared in the top 10 twice (2022 and 2019).