How to Find a Bible Verse
Cracking the book, chapter, and verse code, like John 3:16.
Book, chapter, and verse
Every spot in the Bible has its own three-part address: the book, the chapter, and the verse. Take "John 3:16": "John" is the book, "3" is the chapter, and "16" is the verse. Once you know this code, you can find any tiny piece of the Bible in seconds.
Why chapters and verses exist
The Bible wasn't originally written with chapter and verse numbers, those were added centuries later, so people could easily find, remember, and talk about specific parts. It's like adding page numbers and paragraph markers to a very old book so everyone can find the same spot.
Try it yourself
Look at "Psalm 23:1." That means: go to the book of Psalms, find chapter 23, and read verse 1. That single verse says, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Now you can find it on this site in seconds using the address alone!
Quick quiz: How to Find a Bible Verse
Question 1 of 5