This short article, or more like some notes, is to draw attention to all the books of the Bible with chapter 3:16 and see some similar patterns, trends, or key words. We all know John 3:16 as perhaps the most well-known verse in the whole Bible. But how many of us know the other books containing chapter 3:16 and the messages that God wants to tell us? This is an encouragement for a good study on these verses. Perhaps some of the chapter 3:16’s do not make sense as to why they belong there, but God put it there to tell us something.
Scripture quotes are taken from the King James Version (1611).
Leviticus 3:16 – And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the LORD’s.
Numbers 3:16 – And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
Judges 3:16 – But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh. Think about the dagger with two edges and read Hebrews 4:12.
Ruth 3:16 – And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. Think about what God did for us in John 3:16.
1 Samuel 3:16 – Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. Think about the word ‘son’ but with the capital S from John 3:16.
2 Samuel 3:16 – And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
1 Kings 3:16 – Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. Think about John 3:16 again, and how God so loved the world, no matter what type of person you are, God loves you and sent His Son for you.
2 Kings 3:16 – And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
1 Chronicles 3:16 – And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son. Think about the word ‘son’.
2 Chronicles 3:16 – And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
Ezra 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this chapter.
Esther 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this chapter.
Job 3:16 – Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.
Psalm 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this Psalm.
Proverbs 3:16 – Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Ecclesiastes 3:16 – And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
Song of Songs 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this chapter.
Lamentations 3:16 – He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
Ezekiel 3:16 – And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying.
Daniel 3:16 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Hosea 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this chapter.
Amos 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this chapter.
Obadiah – there is only one chapter in this book, therefore no chapter 3:16.
Jonah 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this chapter.
Micah 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this chapter.
Nahum 3:16 – Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and fleeth away.
Zephaniah 3:16 – In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
Haggai – there are only 2 chapters in this book, so no chapter 3:16.
Zechariah 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this chapter.
Malachi 3:16 – Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. There is a connection between this verse and John 3:16.
These are all the books in the Old Testament with a chapter 3:16. As we have seen, not all of the books have a chapter 3:16, and not all the books even have a chapter 3. We now come to the books of the New Testament containing a chapter 3:16 to see what the message is for us.
Mark 3:16 – And Simon He surnamed Peter. Think about how God loved us and that whoever believes in His Son has eternal life. Jesus gave Simon a new name, Peter. This is a result of eternal life – all things new.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This is what is referred to as perhaps the most well-known and simplest verse to memorise.
Romans 3:16 – Destruction and misery are in their ways.
1 Corinthians 3:16 – Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?.
2 Corinthians 3:16 – Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Galatians 3:16 – Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Think about the link in John 3:16 – the only begotten Son of God.
Ephesians 3:16 – That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.
Philippians 3:16 – Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
1 Thessalonians 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this chapter.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 – Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
1 Timothy 3:16 – And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. There is a strong link/connection with John 3:16.
2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Titus 3:16 – there is no verse 16 in this chapter.
Philemon – there is only one chapter in this book, therefore no chapter 3:16.
Hebrews 3:16 – For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
James 3:16 – For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
1 John 3:16 – Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Think about how God gave His only begotten Son for us – He laid down His life for us. There is a connection here.
2 John, 3 John and Jude are all one chapter each, therefore there is no chapter 3:16.
Revelation 3:16 – So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. The last book of the Bible, chapter 3:16 sends us a strong message about being ‘neutral’ or ‘indifferent’ in the things of God and in our gatherings together. Think about the connection in the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi 3:16 those few who thought on the name of the Lord and spoke of Him, and now in our day and age, how many of us do the same thing? How many of us are ‘lukewarm’? I am sure that lukewarm water is not pleasant to the taste and would be spued out immediately. May it not be with us and our spiritual attitude.