The Bible contains exactly 31,102 verses across its 66 books, with the Old Covenant contributing 23,145 verses and the New Covenant adding 7,957 verses. These numbers come from standard translations like the King James Version, though slight variations exist between different translations due to manuscript differences and counting methods. The verses span from the shortest in John 11:35 with just two words to lengthy passages exceeding seventy words, reflecting the text’s remarkable diversity and scope throughout centuries of preservation.
How many verses fill the pages of the Bible, and what do these numbers reveal about the scope of this ancient collection? The complete Bible contains 31,102 verses, divided between the Old Testament’s approximately 23,145 verses and the New Testament’s 7,957 verses. These numbers provide a concrete measure of the text’s substantial breadth, spanning centuries of writing and compilation.
The Bible’s 31,102 verses span millennia of sacred writing, revealing humanity’s extraordinary dedication to preserving divine wisdom across generations.
The Bible’s 66 books are organized into 1,189 chapters, with 929 chapters in the Old Testament and 260 in the New Testament. This systematic division emerged gradually through medieval scholarship. Cardinal Hugo de S. Caro introduced chapter divisions in 1238, while Robertus Stephanus added verse divisions much later in 1551. Scholars date Hebrew Bible texts to roughly the 12th–2nd centuries BCE and the New Testament to the mid-1st century CE, reflecting a long process of composition and canonization. These organizational tools transformed how readers navigate and reference biblical texts.
Individual books vary dramatically in length and content. Psalms stands as the longest book with 150 chapters, while Psalm 119 alone contains 176 verses, making it the Bible’s longest single chapter. At the opposite end, the shortest verse appears in John 11:35 with just two words: “Jesus wept.” The longest verse, Esther 8:9, stretches to 78 words, demonstrating the wide range of expression within biblical literature. 3 John represents the shortest book in the Bible when measured by total word count.
Word counts reveal additional dimensions of the text’s scope. The King James Version contains between 783,137 and 788,258 words, totaling over 3 million letters. These variations reflect different counting methods and translation choices, yet the numbers consistently underscore the Bible’s extensive nature. The book of Numbers has 1288 verses, contributing significantly to the Old Testament’s overall verse count.
Some discrepancies exist between different biblical versions. Critical scholars note that certain verses appearing in traditional translations like the King James Version may represent later additions absent from earlier manuscripts. These differences typically involve about 20 verses total, creating slight variations in final counts without affecting core doctrinal content.
The numerical framework surrounding biblical texts offers insight into both the document’s historical development and its enduring influence. From Genesis’s 1,533 verses through Revelation’s 404 verses, these measurements reflect humanity’s sustained effort to preserve and organize sacred literature across millennia, creating an accessible foundation for continued study and reflection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible Translation Has the Most Verses?
The King James Version typically contains the most verses among major Bible translations, with approximately 31,102 verses. Catholic editions that include Deuterocanonical books may exceed this count, while the Amplified Bible can appear longer due to expanded paraphrasing.
Most Protestant translations like the NIV and NASB contain slightly fewer verses than the KJV due to manuscript differences and editorial decisions regarding disputed passages.
How Many Verses Did Jesus Speak in the Bible?
Jesus speaks in approximately 1,800 to 2,000 verses across the four Gospels, though exact counts vary by translation and manuscript differences. His words appear in roughly 60% of Matthew’s verses, 50% of John’s, 40% of Luke’s, and 27% of Mark’s verses.
These spoken passages include parables, teachings, conversations with disciples, confrontations with religious leaders, and prayers, representing nearly half of the combined Gospel content.
What Is the Shortest Verse in the Bible?
John 11:35, “Jesus wept,” stands as the shortest verse in English Bible translations, containing just two words and nine letters. This verse appears in the King James Version and most common English Bibles.
However, in the original Greek text, 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (“Rejoice always”) actually contains fewer letters at 14, while Luke 20:30 may be shorter still with 12 letters, depending on manuscript variations.
Do Different Bible Versions Have Different Verse Counts?
Yes, different Bible versions do have varying verse counts, though differences are typically minor. The King James Version contains approximately 31,102 verses, while other translations may differ slightly based on manuscript sources and editorial decisions.
Variations occur when translators split longer verses for clarity, combine shorter ones, or exclude verses lacking strong manuscript support. These differences reflect varying translation philosophies and textual traditions rather than fundamental content changes.
How Many Verses Are in the New Testament Versus Old Testament?
The Old Scripture contains approximately 23,145 verses across 39 books, while the New Testament includes about 7,957 verses in 27 books.
This means the Old Testament has roughly three times more verses than the New Testament.
The Old Testament’s larger verse count reflects its broader scope, covering law, history, poetry, and prophecy, whereas the New Testament focuses on gospel narratives, apostolic letters, and revelation.
