3:16

I would hazard a guess that there are at least two Scripture passages even a fledgling Christian knows by heart: the Lord's Prayer and John 3:16. Perhaps Psalm 23 comes in as a distant third along with Genesis 1:1. As an interesting exercise, I went through the Bible to see if there were any additional memorable 3:16's present. I will admit that I was a little surprised by what I found.

The results from those books of the Bible that actually contained any 3:16's (most of which are summarized below) exhibited a limited number of repeated themes. There is nothing magical about this finding in retrospect since I was already well aware that there are many repetitions of the same ideas throughout the Old and New Testament. To me, this serves as one of many pieces of evidence pointing to the unity of composition of the Bible under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Also, I should quickly remind the reader that there is absolutely no indication that the chapter and verse divisions in our present Bible were divinely inspired. They came about from several Bible scholars:            Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury, devised the chapter divisions in 1227.

    Nathan, a Jewish rabbi, came up with verse divisions for the Old Testament in 1448.

    Robert Estienne basically combined Nathan's OT divisions with his own for the NT in the 1500's.

    The Geneva Bible incorporated all of these divisions in their 1560 edition.

Therefore the correspondences below are mainly due to coincidences coupled with the propensity for the Bible to repeat similar themes with variations.

    Genesis 3:16 – God pronounces a curse on women for the sin of Eve.

    Exodus 3:16 – This momentous occasion is when Moses has just seen the vision of the burning bush and God appoints him to lead the people out from Egypt. God reveals his personal name to Moses.

    Joshua 3:16 – This verse marks the important time when God stops the waters of the Jordan so that the Israelites can pass over to the Promised Land.

    I Samuel 3:16 – The boy Samuel is summoned by God at night and Samuel informs Eli of the fact.

    I Kings 3:16 – Right after Solomon gets his night vision of God granting him the gift of wisdom, Solomon exercises that gift for the first time in making his judgment regarding the two prostitutes and their children.

    II Kings 3:16 – Elisha delivers God's judgment on three kings right after God reveals it to him when he is in a spiritual trance brought about by a musician playing.

    Proverbs 3:16 – Those who find wisdom from God are also promised long life, honor and riches.

    Isaiah 3:16 – God curses the haughty women of Zion.

    Jeremiah 3:16 – There is a prediction of the last days when Jerusalem becomes the throne of God.

    Ezekiel 3:16 – The prophet is appointed as a sentinel for the house of Israel in order to warn them.

    Daniel 3:16 – The three young Jews defy King Nebuchadnezzar and are preserved in the flames.

    Joel 3:16 – God roars from Zion and the heavens are shaken, but He is a refuge for His people.

    Zephaniah 3:16 – In that day, Jerusalem will have no need to fear since God is in her midst.

    Malachi 3:16 – There is a book of remembrance of those who fear the LORD and think on His name.

    Matthew 3:16 – Jesus is baptized and the Spirit descends on him.

    Mark 3:16 – Jesus appoints the twelve apostles.

    Luke 3:16 – John baptizes people with water, but Jesus will baptize them with the Holy Spirit.

    John 3:16 – The identity of Jesus as the Son of God and his role in salvation is stated following Jesus' night time revelation to Nicodemus.

    Acts 3:16 – A man is healed by the power of Jesus' name.

    I Corinthians 3:16 – God's Spirit dwells within each believer.

    II Corinthians 3:16 – There is a reminder of Moses seeing God's glory. Believers have no veil since we have the Spirit of the lord.

    Galatians 3:16 – The promise of the Messiah is given to Abraham (i.e. his seed).

    Ephesians 3:16 – Paul prays that God's powerful Spirit would strengthen the people according to the riches of his glory.

    Philippians 31:6 – There is the admonition that the church hold fast to what they have attained.

    Colossians 3:16 – Let Christ's word dwell in you as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom.

    II Thessalonians 3:16 – May the Lord of peace be with you.

    II Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, etc.

    Hebrews 3:16 – The Jews who left Egypt with Moses heard God's word but were rebellious.

    James 3:16 – False wisdom is earthly and leads to wickedness.

    I Peter 3:16 – Defend the faith with gentleness and in the fear of God.

    II Peter 3:16 – The scriptures can be twisted by people to their own destruction.

    I John 3:16 – Jesus laid down his life for us, so we ought to be prepared to do the same for others.

    Revelation 3:16 – The Laodicean church is neither hot nor cold, and so Christ will spit them out of his mouth.

You no doubt have picked up on some of the repeated themes just from the above summaries, but below are my findings with the appropriate 3:16 in parentheses.

    The story of Moses and the Exodus includes his commission from God (Exodus), the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea (Joshua), Moses receiving the Ten Commandments (II Corinthians), and the rebellion of the Israelites in the desert (Hebrews).

    The personal involvement of the Holy Spirit in giving a prophecy to Elijah (II Kings), the baptism of Jesus (Matthew), the baptism of believers (Luke), within each Christian's life (I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Ephesians).

    Women suffer due to the sin of one (Genesis) or several of them (Isaiah) in attempting to raise their status using inappropriate means.

    Revelations of the identity of God (Exodus) and Jesus as His Son (John).

    Night time revelations to individuals (I Samuel, I Kings, John).

    The importance of Christians treating others in a spirit of peace and gentleness (II Thessalonians, I Peter)

    The use (II Timothy) and abuse (II Peter) of Scriptures.

    Christ's role in the salvation of mankind (John, Galatians, I John).

    Special leaders are commissioned by God (Exodus, I Samuel, I Kings, Ezekiel) or Christ (Mark).

    The power of the name of God (Exodus, Malachi) and Jesus (Acts).

    Wisdom is granted to Solomon (I Kings), is coupled with other gifts from God such as riches (I Kings, Proverbs), is needed for admonishment (Colossians), and is contrasted with earthly wisdom (James).

    The riches of God are contrasted with earthly riches (I Kings, Ephesians).

    Judgment falls on the disobedient (Genesis, Joshua, I Kings, II Kings, Isaiah, Joel, Habakkuk, II Peter, Revelation) while the believers are saved (Malachi, Daniel, John).

    It is predicted that in the last days, God will reside in Jerusalem and protect her from all enemies (Jeremiah, Joel, Zephaniah).

    God's glory is seen by Moses (II Corinthians) and strengthens believers (Ephesians).

    A vision of God appears in flames (Exodus, Daniel).