Is This a Real Bible Verse or Not?

Isadora Teich

Image: Robert Hatch

About This Quiz

Think you know the Bible inside and out? The Bible is full of stories and characters that have played a large part in shaping our culture. Whether you are particularly religious or not, there is no denying the influence these works have had on people around the world for hundreds of years.  

Due to the influence of the Bible, its style has often been imitated and themes and more have been borrowed from it for centuries. It was the inspiration for much of the western world's greatest works of art for hundreds of years. Its moral lessons, imagery and more can be found in many things old and new. 

The Bible itself was written by a large number of people over a long period of time. It has also been translated countless times, with those translations often being translated again and again. This makes its style interesting but generally incredibly inconsistent. In a number of cases, whole passages of the Bible even contradict each other. 

If you are a Bible expert who thinks you can pick out the real verses from fake ones, and can't be fooled by passages from other works, put your Bible knowledge to the test with this biblical quiz. 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

This is a real Bible verse referencing the death of Jesus. It is from John 3:16.

“You're gonna have to serve somebody; well, it may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve somebody...”

This a lyric from the 1979 Bob Dylan song "Gotta Serve Somebody." It is from the album "Slow Train Coming."

“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

This is not a part of the Bible at all. It is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi.

“If in thirst you drink water from a cup, you see God in it. Those who are not in love with God will see only their own faces in it.”

This is a quote of Rumi. Rumi was a 13th century Muslim Persian poet.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

This is a genuine Bible verse. It comes from Romans 8:28.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

This is the first line of the entire Bible. It can be found in Genesis 1:1.

“The darker the night, the brighter the stars, The deeper the grief, the closer is God!”

This is a quote from the novel "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It will not be found in the Bible.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."

This verse can be found in the New Testament. Its location is Romans 12:1.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

This is a genuine Biblical quote. It can be found in John 10:10.

“God answers all prayers, but sometimes his answer is 'no'.”

This is not a bible quote. It is from the novel "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown.

“Love is the only future God offers.”

This is not a Bible quote. It is from the novel "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

This can found in the New Testament. Look to Philippians 4:8.

"Gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

This excerpt is genuine. It is from Galicians 5:23.

“God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners.”

This quote is from "The Journals of Kierkegaard." Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, author, social critic and poet.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

This is a line from the Bible. It comes from Matthew 11:28.

“God is a circle whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere.”

This is not from the Bible. It is a quote from French enlightenment writer and philosopher Voltaire.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

This is a real Bible passage. It is from Hebrews 13:5.

'"I have fallen in love with you, God. Take care of us all, one way or the other." To the children and the innocent it's all the same.”'

This is not a quote from the Bible. It is from "The Dharma Bums" by Jack Kerouac.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."

This is a genuine part of the Bible. It is from James 1:2.

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

This excerpt is real. It can be found in Colossians 3:12.

“And the Lord spake unto the Angel that guarded the eastern gate, saying 'Where is the flaming sword that was given unto thee?' And the Angel said, 'I had it here only a moment ago, I must have put it down some where, forget my own head next.'And the Lord did not ask him again.”

This is not taken from the Bible. It is from the book "Good Omens: The Nice And Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch" by Neil Gaiman.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

This genuine Bible excerpt can found is part of a psalm. It is Psalm 23.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

This a real part of the Bible. It can be found in Proverbs 18:21.

“People who cease to believe in God or goodness altogether still believe in the devil ... Evil is always possible. And goodness is eternally difficult.”

This excerpt cannot be found in the Bible. It from the novel "Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This is a genuine excerpt. It can be found in Deuteronomy 31:6.

“Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly.”

This is a quote from Martin Luther. Martin Luther was a leading figure of the Protestant Reformation.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

This is a biblical proverb. It can be found in Proverbs 27:17.

“Never forget that God is your friend. And like all friends, He longs to hear what's been happening in your life."

This is a quote from the Nicholas Sparks novel "The Last Song." It won't be found anywhere in the Bible.

“It's all God's will: you can die in your sleep, and God can spare you in battle.”

This is a quote from the novel "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy. Tolstoy was a Russian writer and largely considered to be one of the best authors of all time.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

This is a real Biblical proverb. It can be found in Proverbs 4:23.

"‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’"

This is a real Bible verse. It comes from Jeremiah 33:3.

“He knew only that his child was his warrant. He said: If he is not the word of God, God never spoke.”

This is not a quote from the Bible. It can be found in the novel "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."

This is an Old Testament excerpt. It can be found in Numbers 6:24-26

“When your will is God's will, you will have your will.”

This is not from the Bible. It is a quote from preacher Charles Spurgeon.

“To answer before listening — that is folly and shame.”

This is a genuine biblical excerpt. It comes from Proverbs 18:13.

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