Bible Verses About Rest

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

"Be still, and know that I am God."

"And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his."

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

"For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."

"Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation."

"And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while."

"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."

What does the Bible say about rest?

Rest is not laziness—it is a divine command and a sacred gift. God Himself rested on the seventh day, not because He was tired, but to establish a pattern for His people. Key King James Version passages include Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 46:10, Exodus 33:14. This page collects 10 KJV verses about rest, each quoted in full.

What is the Sabbath rest?

The Sabbath (Hebrew: shabbat) means 'to cease.' God instituted it as a weekly day of rest (Exodus 20:8-11), reflecting His own rest after creation. While Christians differ on its observance, the principle remains: God designed humans to need regular rest, and the Sabbath is a gift, not a burden (Mark 2:27).

How do I find rest in God?

Jesus invites the weary to come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). Rest in God means surrendering your anxieties through prayer (Philippians 4:6-7), trusting His provision (Matthew 6:33), ceasing from striving (Psalm 46:10), and establishing rhythms of physical and spiritual renewal. It's choosing trust over hustle.

Is rest selfish?

No — rest is biblical and God-ordained. God Himself rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). Jesus withdrew to rest (Mark 6:31). The Sabbath was created for man's benefit (Mark 2:27). Rest is not laziness — it is obedience and stewardship of the body and mind God has given you.

Is taking rest selfish or unproductive?

God modeled rest in creation (Genesis 2:2-3) and commanded Sabbath observance. Jesus withdrew to rest (Mark 6:31) and invited the weary to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). Rest is faithful stewardship of the body and mind God entrusted to us.