Welcome to our "Bible Quotes" page. Of course, films on the Bible are self-evident. What this page discusses are mainstream media and film. What springs to mind, for you? Here are some of our favorites:
- Black Easter - Assassin 33 AD [Film, 2020] - Biblical scenes. This "guilty pleasure" sci-fi film intertwines time travel with biblical history, imagining a terrorist plot to change history by killing Jesus. The film reinterprets some biblical scenes most Christians will recognize, but requires a sense of humor. As discussed on The Bible is Funny podcast available on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, and is available free on YouTube.
- The Closer [Series, 2005-2011] – Matt. 16-26 "What doth it profit a man if he gains the who world and loses his own soul? "
- Dawn of the Dead [Film, 2004] – Revelation 6 "And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts. And I looked and behold, a pale horse and his name that sat on him was death, And hell followed with him." This verse is heard in the background, in the lyrics of the Johnny Cash song "The Man Comes Around." The song has been used in many other television and film projects.
- Footloose [Film, 1984] – Three bible verses are quoted in the film: Psalm 149:3, 2 Samuel 6:14, and Ecclesiastes 3:1-4.
- House, M.D. [Season 1, Episode 5 "Damned if You Do" (2004)] – 1 Peter 1:7 "These trials only test your faith to see whether or not it is strong and pure. Your faith is being tested as fire tests gold when it purifies it, and your faith is far more precious to the Lord than mere gold. So, if your faith remains strong after being tested, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of His return." Dr. Chase reveals to his patient, a nun, that he was once in seminary, and offers the verse as his favorite, pointing out that whether or not we choose faith or fear affects our experience of our life and death.
- Law & Order [Series, 1990-2010] – John 11:25: In Episode 14, "Boy on Fire," there is an interaction between detectives Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto), Kevin Bernard (Anthony Anderson) and Lieutenant Anita Van Beuren (S. Epatha Merkerson) wherein they paraphrase The Gospel of John. Detective: "And Moses wept." Van Buren: "I thought that was Jesus." Detective: "Yeah, Him too."
- Medium [Series, 2005-2011] – John 2:44: In Episode 15, "Penny for Your Thoughts," Allison Dubois (Patricia Arquette) quotes The Gospel of John, stating, "What doth it profit a man if he gains the who world and loses his own soul?"
- The Nordic Murders [Series, PBS. 2020] - Matt 6:10 / Luke 11:2a (The Lord's Prayer). In Episode 5 of Season 1, "Trail of Deception," there is a scene where a little boy prays The Lord's Prayer (Matt.6:10 & Luke 11:2a) in the Polish language. This series, which is primarily in German but also Polish, is subtitled in English and is not suitable for all audiences. It is available on PBS Passport.
- Pulp Fiction [Film (1994)] – Ezekiel 25:17 "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you." This verse becomes a central motif to the film itself, representing the transformation of the character Jules, who has chosen to speak the passage when he's about to commit mayhem. He finally realizes which part of these words he really represents. He is "the tyranny of evil men" who wishes to be a shepherd.
- Quantum Leap [Season 2, Episode 9, "So Help Me God" (1989) ] – Galatians 5:7-10 "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you..." The verse is used by Mr. Dancy to convince a witness to testify, pointing out that whoever is holding you back from telling the truth, it's not of God.
- Quantum Leap [Season 3, Episode 3, "Leap of Faith" (1990)] – A priest is mortally wounded, and when his friend prays for him, he revives.
- Saving Grace [Season 1, Episode 4] – Proverbs 9:10. In an episode about a devout crime witness, this proverb is quoted by the angel Earl.
- Saving Grace [Season 3, Episode 19] – Peter 5:8-9: "Be sober minded be watchful your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour." Quoted by Ham.
- Shakedown [Film (1988)] – Matthew 10:26-27 "...for there is nothing covered up that shall not be revealed, and nothing that is hidden that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, you must speak in the light: and whatever is whispered to you, you must shout..." In this crime drama, actor Roland Dalton uses the verse as part of his summation.
Sometimes, a bible verse is conspicuous in its absence. Consider these examples where there's no reference to the Bible at all:
- Legion [Film (2010)] – The Archangel Michael has decided to go rogue and protect a new unborn Messiah, fighting ghouls after God has decided to wreak a final havoc on the planet. In a strange twist, the minds of the ghouls are overtaken by angels, not demons. One might expect a film featuring an archangel with a machine gun to make at least a weak attempt to quote the bible, perhaps with a reference to plagues or smiting, or a victim quoting a psalm in prayer before meeting a gruesome death. Seeing an angel reason that he knows God's needs better than God Himself makes this movie almost a guilty pleasure, as long as the fast-forward button is close at hand.
- Bruce, Almighty [Film (2003)] – Jim Carrey (Bruce) asks the universal question, "Why me?" and believes he can do better than God. Morgan Freeman (God) gives him a chance to try his hand. The results are hilarious and thought provoking. Perhaps by not quoting any texts the filmmakers have succeeded in creating a film that can be heard universally.
Biblical references are also found overtly and covertly, in marketing.
- John 3:16 – Various. This quote,"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life," is sometimes called the Gospel in a Nutshell. It is so well known that the numeric reference can evoke the entire phrase. Therefore, it's not surprising that it's a pretty popular means of telegraphing faith. Look for "John 3:16" on the inside of the bottom of In-N-Out Burger paper cups as well as the bottom of Forever-21 shopping bags. Holy Spirit – Dove symbol & GE Symbol. The Andy Warhol 'Last Supper' made use of the corporate symbol Dove to refer to the Holy Spirit, and the GE symbol (GE 'we bring good things to light') to point out that they subtly represent the Divine Presence.
There you have it, some of our favorite biblical quotes (and surprising absences) in movies and sales. Our thanks and blessings to those of you who have written in with suggestions. Please, keep them coming!