How to Cite The Bible in MLA 9 Format

Citing the Bible in MLA 9, what makes it different

In MLA 9, the Bible is treated as a well known, frequently republished work. That means your citation needs to tell readers which version you used and exactly where the passage appears. Unlike a typical book, a Bible citation usually does not rely on page numbers. Instead, you cite the book, chapter, and verse.

Most of the time, you will do two things:

1. Identify the Bible version you used (for example, New Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New International Version).
2. Cite the passage using book, chapter, and verse (for example, John 3.16).

MLA also expects consistency. Once you establish the version, you should keep using it unless you intentionally switch versions and then you must label the change.

The core rule, include the version and the passage

In text citations (the most common need)

MLA in text citations for the Bible normally include:

• Book name (often abbreviated in MLA style if you choose, but be consistent)
• Chapter and verse, separated by periods in MLA style
• Bible version, usually included the first time you cite that version, and again any time you switch versions

A typical first in text citation looks like this:

• (John 3.16, New Revised Standard Version)

After that, if you keep using the same version throughout the paper, you can usually omit the version in later citations:

• (John 3.16)

Your instructor may prefer that you include the version every time. If so, follow that requirement.

Works Cited entry (only sometimes required)

MLA practice varies here. Many instructors do not require a Works Cited entry for the Bible because it is a common reference work. However, MLA allows and often encourages a Works Cited entry if you are using a specific published edition, an online Bible, or if your instructor requests it.

If you include a Works Cited entry, you typically cite the version as the title, then the editor or translator if relevant, then the publisher and year, and then the database or website if accessed online.

How your author rules apply to the Bible

You listed strict author rules, including full first names, name inversion, and how to handle multiple authors. For Bible citations, those rules usually do not apply in the normal way, because the Bible is not cited by a single modern author in MLA. Instead, MLA treats the Bible as a titled work, and the key identifying detail is the version.

That said, your rules still matter in two situations:

1. A Bible edition that credits an editor or translator prominently, and you choose to include that person in the Works Cited entry.
2. A study Bible or commentary, where the notes are written by named authors. That is not “the Bible” as a source, it is a secondary source about the Bible, and your author rules apply fully.

If there is no credited author or editor you are using as the main entry, you start with the title, which fits your “NO AUTHOR” rule.

Example 1, in text citation for a single verse (first and later citations)

Scenario

You quote John 3:16 using the New Revised Standard Version.

Correct MLA in text citation, first time you use that version

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son …” (John 3.16, New Revised Standard Version).

Why this is correct
- It gives the exact location using book, chapter, and verse.
- It identifies the version, which matters because wording varies by translation.
- It uses MLA’s typical punctuation pattern, the citation goes at the end of the sentence before the period.

Correct MLA in text citation, later in the same paper (same version)

The passage connects belief with life (John 3.16).

Why the rule matters
If you do not name the version at least once, a reader cannot verify your quotation easily, because the same verse can be phrased differently across versions. That can change the nuance of an argument.

Example 2, citing a passage range and showing correct formatting

Scenario

You summarize a section, not a single verse, from Paul’s discussion of love in 1 Corinthians, using the King James Version.

Correct MLA in text citation for a range

Paul describes love as patient and kind, and he emphasizes what love does not do (1 Cor. 13.4-7, King James Version).

Why this is correct
- It uses a range with a hyphen: 13.4-7.
- It abbreviates the biblical book name, which MLA allows, as long as you are consistent.
- It includes the version to lock in the wording and style of the translation.

Practical tip
If you cite multiple verses that are not continuous, use commas:
- (1 Cor. 13.4, 13.6-7)

Example 3, Works Cited entry for an online Bible (no author, start with title)

Scenario

You used an online Bible text on a website. You want a Works Cited entry because your instructor requires it, and because you accessed a specific site.

Works Cited example (online Bible)

New Revised Standard Version. Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Why this is correct
- It follows your “NO AUTHOR” approach by starting with the title, here the version name.
- It names the website as the container.
- It includes a URL and an access date, which is often helpful for web content that can be updated or displayed differently.

Common pitfall
Do not list “The Bible” as the author. In MLA, the Bible is not typically cited with an author field. The version is what matters most for identification.

Why these rules matter, clarity, trust, and traceability

Readers need to find the exact wording

Bible translations differ. Even when the meaning is similar, the phrasing can shift enough to affect your analysis. Naming the version prevents confusion and strengthens your credibility.

Bible references are not page based

Page numbers vary across editions, fonts, and digital layouts. Book, chapter, and verse is the stable system that works across print and online formats.

Consistency keeps your paper readable

If you cite the version sometimes but not other times, readers may wonder if you switched translations. A consistent approach avoids that distraction.

Practical tips for getting Bible citations right

Tip 1, decide early whether you will abbreviate book names

Both of these can be correct, but do not mix them randomly:
- John 3.16
- Jn. 3.16

If you abbreviate, do it consistently throughout the paper.

Tip 2, use periods between chapter and verse in MLA style

MLA commonly formats it as:
- John 3.16
not:
- John 3:16

Some instructors accept colons because they are widely used. If your class has a preference, follow it, but MLA style typically uses periods.

Tip 3, introduce the version in the text if it helps

Sometimes the smoothest option is to name the version in your sentence, then cite only the passage:

In the New Revised Standard Version, the verse emphasizes “the world” as the object of God’s love (John 3.16).

Tip 4, treat study Bible notes as a different source

If you quote a footnote, introduction, or commentary inside a study Bible, you may need to cite the author of that note, and then your author name rules apply. The Bible text and the commentary are not the same thing.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Forgetting the version the first time you cite a passage.
• Using page numbers instead of chapter and verse.
• Switching translations without labeling the change.
• Citing “The Bible” as an author, rather than using the version or the title as the key identifier.
• Inconsistent book naming, such as writing “1 Corinthians” in one citation and “I Cor.” in another without a pattern.

Quick reference, a simple template you can reuse

In text citation template

(Book Chapter.Verse, Version Name)

Examples:
- (Genesis 1.1, New International Version)
- (Ps. 23.1-4, King James Version)

Works Cited template for an online Bible with no author

Version Name. Website Name, URL. Accessed Day Mon. Year.

If you tell me which Bible version you are using, and whether it is print or online, I can format a Works Cited entry that matches your exact source.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Common Errors for The Bible Citations

Validation Checklist

Special Cases

Overview, what makes Bible citations “special” in MLA 9

Citing the Bible in MLA 9 has a few edge cases that do not come up with most books. The main reason is that people read the Bible in many forms, print editions, study Bibles, websites, and apps. Also, readers often quote very small parts, like a single verse, and the same verse can look different across translations.

In MLA, you generally treat the Bible as a work with a title, not a work with a personal author. That matters because your Works Cited entry usually begins with the title of the version you used, not with a person’s name. Your in-text citation then points readers to the book, chapter, and verse. The goal is simple: a reader should be able to find the exact translation and the exact passage you used, even if they use a different Bible.

A key rule that drives many “special cases” is this: you must name the translation or version, because wording changes across translations. Another key rule is that chapter and verse are not page numbers, so you cite them as a standardized location marker.

Works Cited versus in-text citations, what goes where

Works Cited entry, usually optional but sometimes necessary

MLA allows you to cite the Bible in-text without a Works Cited entry in many school contexts, especially when you use a well-known print Bible and you are not focusing on the Bible as a publication. However, many instructors and institutions prefer a Works Cited entry anyway. If you use a specific edition, a study Bible, a website, or an app, a Works Cited entry becomes much more important.

Practical tip: if your Bible has an editor, a study Bible title, a publisher, or a website container, you are no longer citing “just the Bible” in the abstract. You are citing a particular publication, so include it in Works Cited.

In-text citation, always required when quoting or paraphrasing

In-text citations for the Bible should include:
- The book name (often abbreviated in MLA style, but be consistent)
- The chapter and verse(s), separated by a period
- The version the first time you cite it (and whenever it might be unclear)

Example pattern: (Book Chapter.Verse, Version)

Special case 1, naming the translation and keeping it consistent

Because translations differ, MLA expects you to identify the version. The most common edge case is when writers forget to name the version, or they switch translations mid-paper without signaling it.

Practical tips:
- Pick one version for the whole paper if possible.
- If you use multiple versions, label every citation clearly, or at least label each version the first time it appears and whenever you change.

Common pitfall: writing (John 3.16) with no version. That forces the reader to guess which wording you used.

Special case 2, citing multiple verses, ranges, and nonconsecutive passages

Bible passages can be cited in several “small location” patterns. The edge cases come from punctuation and clarity.

• A range within the same chapter: John 3.16-18
• A range that crosses chapters: John 3.16-4.2
• Nonconsecutive verses: John 3.16, 19, 21
• Multiple separate passages: John 3.16; 6.35; 8.12

Practical tip: use semicolons to separate distinct passages. Use commas for nonconsecutive verses in the same chapter.

Common pitfall: using page numbers instead of chapter and verse. Page numbers vary by edition, so chapter and verse is the stable locator.

Special case 3, books with numbered names and short books

Books like 1 Samuel, 2 Corinthians, and 1 John can cause formatting mistakes.

Practical tips:
- Keep the number with the book name: 1 Cor. or 1 Corinthians.
- Be consistent with abbreviations. If you abbreviate “Corinthians” as “Cor.” once, do it throughout.

Very short books, like Jude or Obadiah, have only one chapter in many traditions. Some writers mistakenly cite “chapter 1” anyway. It is not wrong to include it, but you should follow your chosen format consistently. Many writers still use the standard chapter.verse pattern, for example Jude 1.3-4.

Special case 4, quoting from an online Bible or an app

If you read the Bible on a website or in an app, you are also citing a digital container. The edge cases here include missing publication dates, changing URLs, and unclear version labeling on the page.

For MLA 9 Works Cited entries for web sources, include:
- Title of the Bible or version
- Title of the website (container)
- Publisher of the website (if given)
- Date (if given)
- URL
- Access date, if your instructor requires it or if content is likely to change

Practical tip: many Bible sites show the version clearly at the top of the passage. Capture that information when you take notes.

Common pitfall: citing only the website and forgetting the version, for example citing “BibleGateway” without saying NIV, KJV, NRSVUE, and so on.

Special case 5, study Bibles, editors, and “no author” rules

Study Bibles often have editors and additional content like introductions, notes, and essays. This creates an important edge case: you might be citing the biblical text, or you might be citing the study notes.

• If you quote the biblical text itself, you still cite by book, chapter, and verse in-text.
• If you quote study notes or an essay in the study Bible, you may need to cite it like a section of a book, sometimes with an editor as the contributor.

Your rule set says: NO AUTHOR, start with title. That fits many Bible situations because the Bible is commonly treated as a title-led work in MLA. Even when editors exist, the “author” field is not usually a person for the biblical text itself.

Practical tip: if your quote is from a footnote or commentary, label it clearly in your prose, and cite the page number for that note if the note is paginated.

Common pitfall: treating “God” or “Moses” as the author in the Works Cited entry. MLA does not handle the Bible that way in most academic contexts.

Example 1, print Bible, first citation includes version

In-text citation

“For God so loved the world” (John 3.16, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition).

Later in-text citation in the same paper

The passage emphasizes love as a motive for salvation (John 3.16).

Why this formatting matters

• John 3.16 is a stable locator across editions.
• Naming the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition the first time prevents confusion because wording differs by translation.
• Dropping the version later is acceptable if you clearly stick to the same version throughout.

Practical tip: if you switch versions later, reintroduce the new version the first time you use it.

Example 2, multiple passages and a cross-chapter range

In-text citations

The theme of “light” is repeated across several statements (John 1.4-5, 9; 8.12, English Standard Version).

The narrative continues without a clean chapter break (John 3.16-4.2, English Standard Version).

Why this formatting matters

• Semicolons separate distinct locations, which makes the citation easy to scan.
• Cross-chapter ranges must show both chapters so readers can follow the passage accurately.
• Including the version protects you from disputes about wording when you quote or closely paraphrase.

Common pitfall: writing John 3:16-4:2 is common in religious contexts, but MLA typically uses a period between chapter and verse. If you use colons, be consistent and follow your instructor’s preference. Many MLA instructors still accept colons, but consistency is essential.

Example 3, online Bible in Works Cited, plus in-text citation

Works Cited entry (web)

New International Version. BibleGateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

In-text citation

The passage frames love as an action rather than a feeling (1 John 3.18, New International Version).

Why this formatting matters

• The Works Cited entry identifies the version and the container that delivered the text.
• The access date helps if the site updates formatting, URLs, or interface.
• The in-text citation still uses book, chapter, and verse, which is the most reliable locator.

Common pitfall: linking to a long passage-specific URL that breaks later. If you do use a passage URL, test it, and consider also naming the site and version clearly so the reader can search within the site.

Why these rules matter, clarity, trust, and repeatability

Bible citations can become messy because many readers assume “everyone knows the verse.” Academic writing expects the opposite. Readers need to verify your wording and context. Stating the translation, using stable locators, and separating multiple passages clearly does three things:
1. Clarity, readers can find your exact text quickly.
2. Trust, your quotations are verifiable.
3. Repeatability, another writer can follow your method and reach the same passage.

Quick checklist, practical tips and common pitfalls

Practical tips

• Decide on one translation early, note it in your draft.
• Cite book, chapter, and verse, not page numbers for the biblical text.
• Use semicolons for separate passages, commas for nonconsecutive verses.
• If using a website or app, record the version and the site name at the time you take notes.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Omitting the version.
• Mixing versions without signaling the change.
• Using inconsistent abbreviations for book names.
• Treating a religious figure as the “author” in Works Cited.
• Citing study notes as if they were biblical verses, or vice versa.

If you tell me whether your source is a print Bible, a study Bible, or a specific website or app, I can format a Works Cited entry that matches MLA 9 and your course expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a Bible verse in MLA 9 in my paper (in-text citation)?

In MLA 9, Bible passages are usually cited in the text, not with footnotes. In your first in-text citation, name the version you used, then give the book, chapter, and verse using periods between numbers. Example: (New Revised Standard Version, John 3.16). After you identify the version once, you can usually omit it in later citations if it stays the same, for example (John 3.16). Use the standard book name, and do not add “p.” or page numbers. If you quote multiple verses, use a range like (John 3.16-18). If you cite a whole chapter, use (John 3). If you are comparing versions, keep the version name in each relevant citation. For more guidance, see the MLA handbook style overview at https://style.mla.org/ and the Purdue OWL MLA section at https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html.

Do I need to put the Bible in my Works Cited list in MLA 9?

Often, you do not need to include the Bible in Works Cited if you are using a common print Bible and only citing passages in-text, since MLA treats the Bible as a well known reference. However, you should include an entry when your instructor requires it, when you used a specific edition with an editor or translator that matters, or when you used an online Bible or app where the container and URL help readers retrieve the text. A practical scenario is using BibleGateway or YouVersion, in that case a Works Cited entry is helpful because the site functions like a source container. If you do include it, list the title of the version, the editor or translator if given, the publisher, and the year, plus the website and URL for online sources. For MLA examples, consult https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/.

How do I cite an online Bible like BibleGateway or YouVersion in MLA 9?

Treat an online Bible like a work accessed through a website container. Start with the title of the Bible, usually the version name, in italics. Then add the website name as the container, the publisher or sponsor if listed, the publication date if available, and the URL. You can also include an access date if the content is likely to change or if your instructor asks for it. In-text, cite the version and the passage, for example (English Standard Version, Gen. 1.1). A practical scenario is quoting from BibleGateway for a literature paper, you would keep the in-text citation focused on book, chapter, and verse, while the Works Cited entry tells readers where you retrieved that version online. If the site lets you select versions, be sure your Works Cited entry matches the version you cite. For help building entries, see https://style.mla.org/works-cited-a-quick-guide/ and https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_works_cited_electronic_sources.html.

What is the correct way to format book, chapter, and verse in MLA (colons or periods)?

MLA style typically uses periods between chapter and verse numbers, not colons. So you would write John 3.16, not John 3:16, inside your parenthetical citation. This is one of the most common points of confusion because many Bibles print references with colons. Keep your formatting consistent across your paper. If you cite multiple verses, use a hyphen for a range, for example (John 3.16-18). If you cite nonconsecutive verses, separate them with commas, for example (John 3.16, 19). A practical scenario is analyzing a theme across several verses in the same chapter, you can cite the chapter once if you summarize broadly, then cite specific verses when you quote exact wording. If your instructor prefers colons, follow their directions. For MLA citation basics, see https://style.mla.org/parenthetical-citations/.

How do I cite the Bible if I switch between different translations or editions?

If you use more than one translation, identify the version in each in-text citation where ambiguity could occur. Example: (King James Version, Ps. 23.1) and (New International Version, Ps. 23.1). This matters because wording can differ significantly across translations, and your argument may depend on those differences. In your prose, you can also clarify, for example, “In the NIV, the verse reads,” then cite the passage. In Works Cited, include separate entries for each version if you used different publications or different websites. A practical scenario is comparing Romans 12.2 in the NRSV and the NIV for a theology assignment, you should cite each version clearly so readers can verify the language you discuss. For general MLA guidance on identifying versions and maintaining consistency, see https://style.mla.org/ and https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html.

How do I cite a Bible passage in a signal phrase, and what if I quote multiple verses in one block quote?

If you introduce a quotation with a signal phrase, you still include a parenthetical citation after the quotation, unless the citation information is fully clear and your instructor allows omission. Example: According to the New Revised Standard Version, “For God so loved the world” (John 3.16). If you use a block quote, place the parenthetical citation after the final punctuation of the block. When quoting multiple verses, cite the full range, for example (John 3.16-18). A practical scenario is a close reading where you quote several lines from Psalms, set it as a block quote if it meets the length threshold for your paper, then cite the book and verse range at the end. Remember to identify the version at least once, and keep it consistent. For MLA rules on quotations and block formatting, see https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_quotations.html.

Last Updated: 2026-01-01
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