The Next Verse: What You Never Knew About 60 of Your Favorite Bible Passages

by Jay Payleitner

Publisher:

Whitaker House

, 2022

Overview

What Comes After John 3:16?

You know the familiar verses of John 3:16, Romans 8:28, and Joshua 24:15. But do you know the verses that follow them? And does it really matter that you do?

The Next Verse by best-selling author Jay Payleitner is a surprising, eye-opening devotional that takes 60 familiar and beloved Bible verses and encourages you to read them in their context.

How can Matthew 11:28 say, “Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest,” and then the very next verse require us to put on a new yoke to carry a new burden?

Or think about the millions of motivational posters inspiring athletes by quoting Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who give me strength.”  Did you know the next verse suggests we all chill out and learn the secret to contentment?

This unique devotional brings to the surface what many Christians already recognize: they hold numerous Bible verses in their hearts, but they need to go deeper to truly understand them.

Written in a casual, fun style, The Next Verse enables you to absorb the meat of the Scriptures in a nonintimidating way. You will enjoy reading familiar Bible passages. Some long. Some short. Both Old and New Testament. Then you will see how they correspond to the next, previous, or surrounding verses—passages that explain, expand, seemingly contradict, and surprise (they may even make you laugh). Your response will be, “I never saw that before!”

The Next Verse is for avid devotional readers, Bible readers seeking fresh perspectives on Scripture, believers who want to improve their biblical knowledge, pastors and small group leaders looking for a new angle to Bible teaching, and anyone who is intrigued by the question “What comes after your favorite Scripture verse?” Each entry includes an introduction to the favorite verse and related passages, a “Going Deeper” section, and a concluding thought.

Join Jay on an adventure to discover what you never knew about 60 of your favorite Bible passages!
 

Read more

Praise for The Next Verse

It’s easy to isolate a verse and make it say something you want it to say. It’s more difficult to read it in context and receive that transforming truth. That’s the heart of what Jay Payleitner has done in this book.
—Chris Fabry
Award-winning author and host of “Chris Fabry Live” on the Moody Network

Jay Payleitner has always had a wonderful way of teaching profound truths in a way that is fun, instructive, and life changing. Read The Next Verse and you will go places and discover truths that will impact how you think about God and His revelations and how you live your life.
—Steve Brown
Professor, broadcaster on “Key Life Network,” and best-selling author of Three Free Sins: God’s Not Mad at You and Laughter and Lament: The Radical Freedom of Joy and Sorrow

We’ve seen some Bible verses so often we stop seeing them. But Jay dares us to trade in bumper sticker theology for something much better: an authentic pondering of God’s holy Word. We need this book!
—Jon Gauger
Producer/host on Moody Radio and author of Kids Say the Wisest Things

One of Jesus’s favorite utterances went like this: “You have heard it said…but I tell you….” That’s what Jay Payleitner does in his newest book by examining the context of 60 popular Bible verses. Three pages in you say to yourself, “WOW, that’s amazing! I never saw that.” Well, that just happened to me 60 times. The Next Verse is a rare gem with insight I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
—David Murrow
The Online Preaching Coach and author of Why Men Hate Going to Church

Ministers, teachers, and authors love to disseminate a wealth of information while often failing miserably at revealing the true context and valuable applications of the Bible verses they tag on to prove their point. In The Next Verse, Jay Payleitner shares keen insights that will not only surprise you but encourage you to go deeper into the true meaning and ultimate goal of God’s Word—transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. It’s time to stop skimming the surface of Scripture and explore the rich treasures that await, so you may join the psalmist in saying, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).
—Kay Horner
Executive Director, Awakening America Alliance

I recently read a version of the Bible that had no chapters or verse numbers. It was difficult at first, but I soon learned to appreciate the text even more, unencumbered by divisions. Jay’s book is so helpful in the same way. Reading Scripture this way forces us to open up our minds in light of the larger passage!
—Wayne Shepherd
Nationally-known Christian radio host

Jay Payleitner must have been mentored by Bobb Biehl who shares, “Nothing is meaningful without context!” This book instantly drew me in when I realized most of us can quote several favorite Scripture verses, but almost none of us can share from memory the verses immediately preceding or following! Thank you, Jay, for giving all of us the gift of “context” in your fascinating new book The Next Verse.
—Bob Tiede
Cru U.S. Leadership Development Team
Author of five books, including 339 Questions Jesus Asked!
Blogger at LeadingWithQuestions.com

When I first read the title, I said to myself, Okay, this isn’t anything new. Then, I read the first chapter, then the next, and finally, the entire book. I was wrong—very wrong! I couldn’t wait to read the “next verse” in every chapter. There’s a wealth of wisdom for moms, dads, civic leaders, businesspeople and even pastors. The Next Verse is packed full of transformative insight while being fun to read. Thanks, Jay! You’ve listened to the Scriptures and done well.
—Steve Hefta
Strategic Account Manager, Marketplace Chaplains

Jay Payleitner has given us a fascinating take on popular Bible verses. It shows just how talented of a writer he is and a brilliant Bible apologist. This book is an important read whether you are a pastor, lay person, or theologian.
 —Rick Johnson
Best-selling author of That’s My Son and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

The Next Verse is a gift to anyone yearning to know more about God. Without preaching at us or making us feel guilty or dumb, Jay Payleitner makes one principle of biblical interpretation easy and fun, and lowers our chances of misinterpreting the Bible.
—Dr. Clarence Shuler
President/CEO, BLR: Building Lasting Relationships

Randomly ripping a verse out of the Bible is like changing lanes on the interstate without looking over your shoulder at your blindspots. In this nifty book, Payleitner reminds us of the full 360 degree “surround sound” perspective of famous biblical landscapes. Read it, and your scriptural driving will be a lot more fun and safe!
—Dr. Emmett Cooper
Author of The HoneyWord Bible for kids of all ages
Founder and president of HoneyWord Foundation

Tired of fluffy devotions? In a world overcome with the epidemic of Biblical illiteracy, The Next Verse is a rich treasure of well-known Scripture presented with fresh, accurate interpretation. So often believers are not taught to study passages within context. But you’ll feel like you’re having coffee with a friend as Jay unpacks truth in a way anyone can understand. He takes the time to explain topics without heady theological words. Simple, easy exploration of what’s been in front of us all the time. I loved it! A must for anyone who desires to be a true student of the Word.
 —Tez Brooks
Multiple award-winning author of The Single Dad Detour and Debriefing: Meditations of Hope for Those Who Protect and Serve

Product Details

• Title: The Next Verse: What You Never Knew About 60 of Your Favorite Bible Passages
• Author: Jay Payleitner
• Publisher: Whitaker House
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2022
• Pages: 224
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781641238939, 9781641238922, 1641238925, 1641238933
• Resource ID: LLS:9781641238939
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-22T21:40:19Z

About Jay Payleitner

Jay Payleitner is one of the top freelance Christian radio producers in the United States. He has worked on Josh McDowell Radio, Today's Father, Jesus Freaks Radio for the Voice of the Martyrs, Project Angel Tree with Chuck Colson, and many others. He’s also a popular speaker on parenting and marriage and the author of dozen-plus books, including the bestselling 52 Things Kids Need from a Dad, 52 Things Wives Need from a Husband, and 52 Things Sons Need from Their Dad; he also created “The Dad Manifesto.” Jay has also served as an AWANA director, a wrestling coach, and the executive director of the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative; he now partners with the National Center for Fathering, whose efforts he fosters and promotes. He and his wife, Rita, live near Chicago, where they’ve raised five great kids and loved on ten foster babies.