What Were the 10 Most Searched for Bible Verses in 2022?
Share
We have found the 10 most searched for Bible verses of 2022. There are a few interesting ones in here. One of them tells us that it seems junior high boys have discovered the ability to search for Bible verses. But for the most part, these are some of the most popular verses every year.
Bible verses can be dangerous things. I say that because verses were not in the original context. We are meant to read these words in their original context, and when we rip them out of context and place them on coffee mugs and such, we can instill in them a meaning which the original authors (and God Himself) never intended to be there.
Here are the ten most searched Bible verses, placed in their context and given a brief meaning.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Carolyn V
10. Matthew 6:33
Verse: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Context: This verse is in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The immediate context of this is about worry.
Meaning: The point of this verse is that when we seek God’s kingdom, we can rest assured that God will provide for that which we need. This verse is a call to trust God and not be overcome with worry.
9. Romans 12:2
Verse: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Context: Romans is a letter filled with precious doctrine, but its main theme is that of unity. Everything Paul says in this letter is meant to unite the Jews and the Gentiles. For eleven chapters Paul has outlined doctrine. Here he begins with instructing the churches toward unity.
Meaning: Here the “pattern of this world” is a reference to the fallen inclinations of humanity. That which leads us to turn inward and to be self-centered and to ultimately violate love. Instead, we are to be transformed by God’s Word and live out of the new creation that God has brought about within us.
8. Ezekiel 23:20
Verse: “There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses.”
Context: I suppose the good news with this verse being one of the most popular is that junior high boys apparently know how to use a Bible app. My guess is that this is one of those “joking” verses. The original context of this verse is Ezekiel speaking of judgment upon the Israelites for their unfaithfulness to God’s covenant with them.
Meaning: The Israelites liked to admire the nations around them. They sought after the power and prestige of the Babylonians and the Egyptians. So this verse is a judgment about the propensity that God’s people have for going after idols.
Photo credit: SWN/Bible Study Tools.com
7. Proverbs 3:5-6
Verse:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight”
Context: The proverbs typically do not have a lengthy context. But here, this verse is about the benefits of wisdom.
Meaning: When we trust in the Lord and not our own understanding, God will faithfully lead us. Again, this is a call to trust in God’s wisdom and not our own ideas.
6. Joshua 1:9
Verse: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Context: Joshua is called by God to take up the mantle of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Moses has died and now Joshua is in charge. It is a daunting task and he at first shies away from this calling. But here in Joshua 1, God encourages Joshua and calls him to obedience.
Meaning: This command to Joshua is to be strong and courageous — stepping out into obedience — and not be afraid or discouraged. And it is grounded by the reality that God will be with him wherever he goes. Through the gift of the Spirit, purchased by Christ, we have this same promise.
5. Isaiah 41:10
Verse:
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Context: This chapter is dealing with the post-exilic community. It was a time of hope but also a time of uncertainty. They needed the reminder that God would now be the helper of Israel, as the day of judgment had passed.
Meaning: There are many things which could stir up fear within our hearts. “Faith over fear” became a bit of a rallying cry for many Christians in the past few years. That is likely why this verse was one of the top verses in 2022. It’s a reminder that God’s presence and help is a reality which leads us away from fear.
Photo credit: SWN
4. Romans 8:28
Verse: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Context: Romans 8 is a key chapter in Paul’s letter to the Romans. It is here that we see the Spirit’s role in giving us new life — a new life to walk in holiness — and to be present with us in the midst of our sufferings. The Spirit also serves as a reminder of our future glory. In Romans 8:28 we have a reminder that God is moving history in such a way that those who trust in Him will finally be blessed.
Meaning: In the context of this verse, we come to know that the greatest “good” is conformity to Christ. When we are loved by God and called according to His purpose, we can have confidence that every event that happens in our life is leading us into a peculiar glory. It is doing something specific for us so that we will treasure Christ more vividly.
3. Philippians 4:13
Verse: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Context: Some like to use this verse to make the claim that with Christ we can do anything — like score touchdowns, meet our spouse, get the new job, achieve the promotion, etc. But in the context, Paul is talking about contentment. He can be content in both poverty and riches, because it is Christ who gives him strength.
Meaning: If we bring the surrounding context into this verse, Paul is saying something more like, “I can endure the trial of both poverty and riches because Christ gives me strength.” Paul is telling the Philippians that their gift to him is important and beautiful but he does not have to have their gift.
Photo credit: SWN
2. Jeremiah 29:11
Verse: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Context: We like to use this verse at graduations and weddings, or at other times when we want to encourage people in their future. But in the context, this is a word to a group of exiles. It is God telling them that even though they will endure 70 years of hardship as a people, God is still planning to bless them. They (corporately) will still have a hope and a future. Messiah will still come.
Meaning: This letter to the exiles is an encouragement to endure hardship because blessing will eventually come. It is not a promise that God intends to bless your business, marriage, career choice, etc. This verse is a reminder that God will give a hope and a future to His people — but it’s often not experienced in the immediate.
1. John 3:16
Verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Context: This verse has long been one of the most popular, and rightly so. In the context Jesus is talking with Nicodemus about what he must do to be born again. Jesus is telling Nicodemus the purpose of why He came.
Meaning: Because of God’s love for humanity, he sent to us His only begotten son. And he did this not to condemn the world but to save us. Whoever believes in Christ, whoever has Him as their refuge, will not perish but will have eternal life.
Photo credit: SWN