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To footnote the Bible in Chicago notes-bibliography style (18th edition, 2024), write the book, chapter and verse, then name the version in parentheses, and put the result in a note only. A scripture reference does not go in the bibliography. The shape of a note is Book chapter:verse (Version), for example Gen. 1:27 (NRSV). This page sets out the format, worked examples, the author-date alternative, the errors that most often appear in manuscripts and theses, and which edition the rules belong to. The decisions that trip up a long document are when to leave the Bible out of the bibliography and how to keep abbreviations consistent across hundreds of notes, so those get most of the space.
The format: a footnote template with each element named
Library guides from Thompson Rivers University, Fuller Theological Seminary and Monash University give the same pattern. The elements, in order:
- Note number. The superscript number in the text that points to the footnote (or endnote).
- Book name. Set in roman type, not italics, and usually abbreviated.
- Chapter and verse. Joined by a colon, as in 1:27. A range uses a dash, as in 1:18-25.
- Version, in parentheses. The translation or edition you actually quoted, such as NRSV, ESV or the Authorized (King James) Version.
There is no page number. A verse is located by chapter and verse, so adding a page of your printed Bible is an error, not extra precision.
Footnote or bibliography: the decision rule
Scripture is cited in the notes and left out of the bibliography. Thompson Rivers University states it as “Scriptural references appear in the Notes section, but NOT in the bibliography,” and the Fuller and Georgetown library guides say the same. Fuller adds one exception worth knowing for a thesis: if you cite an element that belongs to a particular edition, such as an introduction, a commentary or study notes in a study Bible, treat that material as a normal book and give it a bibliography entry, with a page number in the note. The verse itself still follows the scripture rule.
Abbreviation forms: Matt. or Mt
Library guides describe two families of abbreviations. The traditional forms take a period (Matt., Gen., Heb.). The shorter forms take none (Mt, Sm). Both are acceptable, which makes consistency the rule that matters. In a manuscript, choose one family before you write the first note and keep it for the whole document. The abbreviation lists themselves are in chapter 10 of the 18th edition, according to Monash University Library’s Chicago 18 guide.
Examples
These use real verses so the pattern is visible. They are format examples, not quotations from any source.
| Situation | Note |
|---|---|
| Single verse, traditional abbreviation | 1. Gen. 1:27 (NRSV). |
| Verse range, version spelled out | 2. Matt. 1:18-25 (Authorized (King James) Version). |
| Single verse, short form of the book name | 3. Mt 26:2-5 (ESV). |
| Book with a number, short form | 4. 2 Sm 11:1-17 (NRSV). |
| Chapter range across chapters | 5. Gen. 25:19-36:43 (ESV). |
The Matthew example and its short form (Mt 1:18-25 (AV)) come from the Thompson Rivers guide. The Genesis 1:27 pattern matches Monash. Gen. 25:19-36:43, Mt 26:2-5 and 2 Sm 11:1-17 follow forms shown by Fuller, which also reminds writers to name the version (NRSV, ESV and similar) every time it matters to the reading.
Repeat citations
For a later note to the same passage, Thompson Rivers gives the rule as “same as full note above”: repeat the same form. There is no separate shortened form to learn for scripture, so the repeat note for Gen. 1:27 (NRSV) is again Gen. 1:27 (NRSV).
In-text citation version (author-date style)
If your department uses Chicago author-date rather than notes, Fuller says the scripture reference is given in parentheses in the text instead of in a footnote. As in notes-bibliography, the Bible stays out of the reference list unless you cite something unique to an edition. In a thesis where one chapter uses notes and another uses parentheticals, a reader will see the inconsistency at once; follow the system your institution’s manual names and apply it everywhere. For a plain parenthetical reference, see the parenthetical citation definition.
Common errors
- Listing the Bible in the bibliography. Scripture belongs in the notes. Keep a bibliography entry only for edition-specific material such as a commentary.
- Adding a page number. The chapter and verse is the locator.
- Leaving out the version. Translations differ in wording; the reader needs to know which one you quoted.
- Mixing abbreviation styles. Matt. in one note and Mk in the next signals an unedited document.
- Italicizing the book name. Book names are set in roman type.
- Using a period instead of a colon. Write 1:27, not 1.27.
Style-guide edition
The current edition is the Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition (2024), and the pattern above is the notes-bibliography form for it. The Chicago 17th edition is not current. If your institution still requires an earlier edition, follow its handbook and check the edition named on its thesis guidelines. APA and MLA handle scripture differently: for APA 7th edition, see how to cite a Bible verse in APA. For theses in biblical studies, Fuller’s guide points readers to the SBL Handbook of Style for detailed practice.
If your document also quotes long passages of scripture, the separate Chicago rules for setting off quotations are covered in block quotes in Chicago style, and the general idea of a bibliography is defined in bibliography.
FAQ
Do you put the Bible in the bibliography?
No. In Chicago notes-bibliography style, scripture is cited in notes only. The exception is material unique to an edition, such as an introduction, commentary or study notes, which is cited like a normal book.
Do you include page numbers when you footnote the Bible?
No. Use book, chapter and verse with a colon between chapter and verse. Page numbers apply only when you cite edition-specific material in a study Bible.
Should I write Matt. or Mt?
Either. The traditional abbreviation takes a period (Matt.) and the shorter form does not (Mt). Pick one and use it throughout.
Must I name the version every time?
Yes. Fuller’s guide says to always include the version, and the Thompson Rivers note template has a slot for it. Subsequent notes to the same passage repeat the same form.
How do I footnote a note or introduction in a study Bible?
Treat it as a normal book. Fuller’s guide says an introduction, commentary or other element unique to a particular edition can go in the bibliography and be cited like a book, with the page number of that edition. The verse itself still follows the scripture format.
Is the book name italicized?
No. Book names are set in roman type and usually abbreviated.
Sources
Checked 2026-10-29.
- Thompson Rivers University Library, Chicago guide, scriptural references (page updated Oct 14, 2026): https://libguides.tru.ca/chicago/scrip
- Fuller Theological Seminary Library, FAQ on citing the Bible (updated Dec 13, 2024): https://libraryanswers.fuller.edu/faq/256725
- Monash University Library, Chicago 18 notes guide, ancient and sacred sources: https://guides.lib.monash.edu/chicago-18-a-notes/ancient-and-sacred-sources
- Georgetown University Library FAQ on citing scripture (updated Aug 1, 2022): https://answers.library.georgetown.edu/research/faq/228522
