What Is The Shortest Verse In The Bible? The Scripture and Study

What is the shortest verse in the entire Bible? Why is it still so important?

The three shortest Verses

There are actually two Bible verses that are tied for the shortest verses in the Bible. They are 1st Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always” and John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” A close second is “Pray without ceasing” also in 1st Thessalonians in 5:17. Even though these three are short, that doesn’t mean they are without significant meaning. Indeed, they are, as we will read in the next three paragraphs but I think “Jesus wept” is the shortest if you count the number of letters. It doesn’t matter; it still has the most powerful meaning of all.

First Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

In the 5th chapter of 1st Thessalonians, Paul was giving the church some final instructions and these summed up his emphasis in this book;  “warn the idle and disruptive; encourage the disheartened; help the weak; be patient with everyone; don’t pay back wrong for wrong; and do what is good for each other” (1st Thess 5:14-15). These instructions were given to the corporate church, the Body of Christ, but the next few were written to the individual as Paul says we must; “Rejoice always, pray continually [and] give thanks in all circumstances” (1st Thess 5:16-18a) because “this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1st Thess 5:18b). Don’t worry about finding God’s will for your life. Here it is; Rejoice always, pray continually [and] give thanks in all circumstances. Praying without ceasing is relative; it means pray anytime and every time you can, as if almost “without ceasing.” This powerful command is for our own good.

First Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always.”

In this next to the shortest verse in the Bible it gives us a tactic we can use when we are depressed, sad, lonely, in need, and in a relational problem. We know that God promises that everything will work out for our best (Rom 8:28) but this means the bad things too. How do you fight the demon of depression or loneliness? Start rejoicing. When we are “always” rejoicing, just as praying without ceasing, it doesn’t mean that’s all we do. We rejoice in all things; always. We rejoice in good things; always. We rejoice in bad circumstances; always. Always we are to rejoice, regardless of the circumstance.

John 11:35 “Jesus wept.”

Jesus had a tender heart for the lost which was once evidenced by Jesus’ weeping when “he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it” (Luke 19:41). Here is why Jesus wept; “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you” (Luke 19:42-44). Here was the Jew’s long awaited Messiah and few recognized Him. Jesus knew they were like sheep without a shepherd and on another occasion, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt 9:36). Do we weep for those who are lost? Do we see them as we once were? We are no better than they, although we are better off relationally with God. Jesus wept over the city. Do I?

Conclusion

These short powerful Bible verses are pray without ceasing meaning you pray all you can, whenever you can; rejoice always which includes our rejoicing or giving thanks each and every day even in unpleasant circumstances we up in; and Jesus was so moved with compassion that He wept. When we weep for the lost, we are doing what Jesus did. Just think of their eternal destiny outside of Christ (Rev 20:12-15) and for all unrepentant sinners (Rev 21:8) and maybe it will move you to compassion so strongly that you will tell others about the gospel of Jesus Christ, of which Paul was not ashamed (Rom 1:16).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.