How many times is "Holy Spirit" in the Bible?
The phrase "Holy Spirit" appears 97 times in the King James Version, in 96 verses (holy spirit 7, Holy Ghost 90). The World English Bible has it 96 times.
Holy Spirit in the King James Version and the World English Bible
Each form of Holy Spirit counted in each translation.
| Form | KJV | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| holy spirit | 7 | 96 |
| Holy Ghost | 90 | not counted |
| Total | 97 | 96 |
Which books mention Holy Spirit most
Holy Spirit appears in 19 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Acts has the most (42), then Luke (12) and Matthew (6).
Also in: 1 Peter (1), 2 Peter (1), 1 John (1), Jude (1).
First and last mention of Holy Spirit
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
The verse that uses it most is Acts 19:2, 2 times:
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Where the two translations differ
2 verses match in the KJV but not in the World English Bible, and 1 verse matches only in the World English Bible, usually because the other translation chose a different word there.
Matthew 12:31: counted in the KJV only
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
1 John 5:7: counted in the KJV only
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
For there are three who testify:
Luke 10:21: counted in the World English Bible only
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.”
Verses with Holy Spirit on our topic pages
26 verses that use Holy Spirit in the World English Bible are in our topic collections.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
On: Peace, Hope, Depression, Joy
Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
On: Baptism, Holy Spirit, Discipleship, Evangelism
I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
On: Baptism, Holy Spirit
In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
On: Blessings, Holy Spirit
Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your holy Spirit from me.
On: Holy Spirit
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
On: Holy Spirit
When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
On: Holy Spirit
We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
On: Holy Spirit
even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
On: Holy Spirit
Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.
On: Holy Spirit
Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
On: Holy Spirit
Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
On: Tattoos, Alcohol, Temptation, Modesty
Common questions
How many times is Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
In the King James Version, counting every form, 3 of the 97 uses are in the Old Testament and 94 in the New Testament. Holy Spirit appears in 19 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Acts has the most (42), then Luke (12) and Matthew (6).
Where is Holy Spirit first mentioned in the Bible?
The first use in the King James Version is Psalm 51:11: "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." The last is Jude 1:20.
Read the full collection: Bible Verses About Holy Spirit (18 Verses).
More word counts: faith, hope, grace, fear, fear not, heaven, hell, money, or all 107 words.
Counted by Bible Says About from the full public-domain text of the King James Version (1769 edition) and the World English Bible. Verse text only: headings and psalm titles are left out. A word is a run of letters: a hyphenated name like Beer-sheba counts as two, and an apostrophe stays inside its word (LORD'S is one). Matching ignores capital letters. Data compiled 2026-10-02.