Top 40 New Testament Passages: Prologue - The List

Top 40 New Testament Passages

The effort to list my personal top 40 passages from the New Testament is a difficult one. I follow some of the life and teachings of Jesus, but I leave out baptism, the Lord’s Supper, the story of the crucifixion and resurrection. I don't include the much loved Christmas narratives. I chose only four parables and then a collection of favorite or often quoted verses or passages important to me. There will undoubtedly be some who will exclaim in exasperation, “Oh Lord, how could he have left that out?!!” I ask your forgiveness. I cherish the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. While I’m not a big fan of the prophetic writings or Job or Leviticus, I acknowledge their importance. It has often been said that the Bible interprets itself. One part sheds light on another. I have, at times, liberally cited other passages of scripture to shed light on the subject verse or passage. I make no promise that reading this list will make you a Christian or move you further on to sanctification. How grace works in your life is a wondrous freedom and between you and your maker. Here’s hoping this top 40 list provides some insight and inspiration to read the whole of God’s Word.


1. John 3:16 – The Gospel
2. Mark 1:15 - Jesus’ First Words
3. Mark 1:17 – Jesus Calls First Disciples
4. Luke 6:17-19 – The Ministry of Jesus
5. Mark 4:3-20 – The Parable of the Sower
6. Mark 1:40-42 – Healing with Compassion
7. Mark 4:30-32 – The Kingdom of God is like…
8. Matthew 5:1-14 – The Beatitudes
9. Matthew 5:17-48 – Sin in the Heart
10. Matthew 6:5-14 – The Lord’s Prayer
11. John 17:20-21 – Jesus Prays for You
12. Luke 15:11-32 - Parable of the Prodigal
13. Luke 10:25-37 – Parable of the Good Samaritan
14. Matthew 16:13-19 - Peter’s Confession
15. Matthew 6:33-34 – Don’t Worry
16. Matthew 7:1-5 – Don’t Judge
17. Matthew 7:12 – The Golden Rule
18. Matthew 18:21-35 – On Forgiveness
19. John 1:1-14 - The Divinity of Jesus
20. Matthew 16:24-26 – Lose Your Life to Save It
21. John 13:34-35 – The New Commandment
22. John 17:3 – What is Eternal Life?
23. John 16:33 – The Faith that Overcomes
24. Matthew 22:35-40 - The Great Commandment
25. Matthew 28:18-20 – The Great Commission
26. John 16:8-13 – The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
27. 1st Corinthians 13:1-13 - The Love Chapter
28. 1st John 4:16 – God is Love
29. 1st John 3:16 – We know Love in This
30. 2nd Peter 3:9 – God Wishes No One to Perish
31. Philippians 4:4-7 – Rejoice in the Lord Always!
32. 1st Corinthians 10:13 – God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle
33. Galatians 5:6 – Faith Working through Love
34. Galatians 5:22-23 – The Fruit of the Spirit
35. Philippians 4:13 – I Can Do All Things
36. James 1:2-4 – Pure Joy in Trials
37. Philippians 2:12-13 – Work Out Your Salvation
38. John 5:39-40 – What the Scriptures Are For
39. Romans 8:28 – All Things Work Together for Good
40. Revelation 21:1-7 - The New Jerusalem

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