If you follow my public page on Facebook you’ll know that this week I became the proud owner of an Amazon Kindle Wi-Fi + Free 3G
One feature of a Kindle is that when you’re reading a book you can highlight significant sections. Not that exciting? Maybe not. But this feature gets really interesting when you enable your Kindle to show you the most popular highlighted sections in that book from all Kindle users.
Crossway has made their ESV Bible
1. John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
2. Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
3. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
4. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
5. Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
6. Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
7. Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
8. Ephesians 2:8-10
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
9. Matthew 6:33-34
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
10. Philippians 4:11-13
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
I find these results really interesting. I’m not surprised to see John 3:16 or Ephesians 2:8-10, but I was surprised to see 3 of the top 10 were from Philippians. Also, I don’t know what tradition the Christians come from who use a Kindle and read the ESV. If I had to guess, this would be my logic. Kindle is marketed to serious readers; Reformed Christians are especially known for being serious readers. The ESV (the Elect Standard Version?) is very popular in Reformed (at least YR&R) circles. If this is true, why nothing from Romans? This is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but isn’t Romans 9:13 highlighted in every Reformed Christians’ Bible? 
What do you think of the verses? In your mind are there any surprise appearances, or a startling absence? What would feature in your top 10 if we flipped through your Bible?
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Galatians 2:20!
What can I say? Good verse.
Given that the ESV is one of the few bibles that have been free for kindle (the other one currently is HCSB), I suspect the reformed bias is less strong as it is for print bibles. It is probably used by a lot of people who just wanted a bible and weren’t picky about translation.
As for the results, not at all surprised that John 3:16 is top of the list. Not surprised but not impressed to see Jerimiah 29:11 there. Out of context misuse of Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my theological pet peeves. Happens way too much. I agree that the lack of Romans verses is surprising. I would have thought there would be 5:8 or 12:2. Interesting to see several on or related to contentment
I suspect you’re right about the ‘free’ factor lessening the Reformed bias. It would explain the inclusion of Jeremiah 29:11 too. Oh, and that’s a good pet peeve to have.
I find Genesis 1:1 surprising. Why highlight a verse that’s so easy to find and so easy to memorize?
I guess the highlight feature isn’t just for verses for memory and quick access, but to highlight verses of significance / value.
Hi Nathan, interesting post. I put together a chart last May comparing the most popular Kindle highlights of all the major translations. If you look at the ESV verses from last year they haven’t changed much, although the order has shifted somewhat. (Philippians 4:6-7 was leading the pack last year.) You can check it out here: Amazon Kindle’s Most Popular Bible Highlights
Thanks for stopping by Ray. Terrific! I hadn’t seen your blog, but that’s a really helpful table. Thanks for sharing.
I find Genesis 1:1 surprising. Why highlight a verse that’s so easy to find and so easy to memorize?
No doubt to emphasize their appreciation for the very first verse of Scripture and how it emphatically states that it was God who created the heavens and the Earth! That it did not occur by some random cosmic accident.
Love my Kindle also, Nathan. I don’t even use the iPad ebook reader.
So hard to choose favourite verses, but my favourite paragraph in the NT has to be Romans 8:26-29.
Ah, another we have in common now.
Good paragraph too.
Mine has John 14:1-6. I don’t know if that makes me Reformed or Dispensational or what, but I really like those verses.
They are good verses Dan. I don’t think that makes you anything but a Christian.
It is also quite interesting to see the religious themes in the top 50 highlights across all books https://kindle.amazon.com/most_popular
“Saved by grace through faith, not of works lest any one should boast”
“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly”
We’ve just got too many godly people running around.
Thanks.
Hi Steve. Thanks for stopping by. Great “favourites” to have.
This is an awesome share man! I LOVE the new features of the Kindle that allow you to view commonly highlighted portions of books.
It’s gives a quick insight into a book, or at least into what the culture finds appealing in it.
Romans 1:17 is highlighted in all my kindle versions as well as hard copy. my first Bible, Romans actually falls out.