Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Laying On Of Hands?
11 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Laying On Of Hands in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about laying on of hands. This collection of 14 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 10 Verses About Laying On Of Hands
- 1Genesis 48:14
“And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.”
KJV - 2Deuteronomy 34:9
“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.”
KJV - 3Mark 6:5
“And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.”
KJV - 4Luke 4:40
“Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.”
KJV - 5Acts 6:6
“Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”
KJV - 6
- 7Acts 9:17
“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”
KJV - 8Acts 13:3
“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
KJV - 9Acts 19:6
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
KJV - 10Acts 28:8
“And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Laying On Of Hands? (2 Verses)
“And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.”
“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Laying On Of Hands? (9 Verses)
“And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.”
“Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.”
“Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”
“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”
“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”
“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
“And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.”
“Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Laying On Of Hands
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about laying on of hands. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about laying on of hands and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about laying on of hands is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on laying on of hands needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about laying on of hands with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about laying on of hands, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Laying On Of Hands?
You have studied 11 verses about laying on of hands. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.