Does the Bible say anything about coincidence?

TL;DR:

If things just happen by chance, then our actions don't really matter. The Bible, however, leaves no room for coincidence; instead, we find comfort in knowing that God is actively at work in our lives for our good and His glory.

what does the bible say?

God is sovereign. He is the Alpha and the Omega, all-knowing and all-powerful (Revelation 22:13; Romans 11:33–36; Job 42:1–2). From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation, it is evident that God is in control. The Bible leaves no room for coincidence, affirming that God is sovereign, all-knowing, and all-powerful (Revelation 22:13; Job 42:1–2). Yet the Bible is also clear that our actions matter. While the term "coincidence" may appear in Scripture, such as in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), it reflects human perspective, rather than divine intent, as God is already aware of the outcomes. Specific events, like Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3) and Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem during Passover (Revelation 13:8), make clear His precise timing and plans. We can find comfort in knowing that God is actively weaving our lives together for our good and His glory, assuring us that nothing is random in His divine economy.

from the old testament

God is sovereign. He is all-knowing and all-powerful (Job 42:1–2). From the beginning of Genesis, it is evident that God is in control.
God knows every decision we will make and the consequences we will experience (Psalm 139:1–4). For God, there are no surprises, accidents, or karma.

from the new testament

God is sovereign. He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 22:13), and His wisdom is beyond comprehension (Romans 11:33–36). From Genesis to Revelation, it is evident that God is in control.
Even before Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, God knew that Jesus would have to die on the cross to bring redemption (Revelation 13:8).
Not only is God sovereignly in control, but He cares about His creation. He knows the number of the stars in the sky and even the number of hairs on your individual head (Luke 12:7).
God accounts for every detail in something as simple as a flower and as complex as the human heart (Matthew 6:28–30).
A few passages of the Bible have phrases with the connotation of coincidence. For example, in the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, it is said that "by chance" a priest passed the beat-up man on the road. Yet when taken in context of the Bible as a whole, it is clear that while the priest passing by was unexpected from a human perspective, God already knew what would happen, that it was not the so-called righteous of society, but the disliked Samaritan, who would stop and help the man.

implications for today

God has a plan. He weaves together all events and all decisions for His greater purpose of redeeming His creation and being reunited with it. Moses coming across a burning bush was not coincidence (Exodus 3). God meant to meet him there. Abraham finding a ram to sacrifice instead of his son was not coincidence. God knew Abraham would be faithful to Him and provided an alternative sacrifice (Genesis 22). Jesus arriving in Jerusalem the week of Passover was not a coincidence. For Jesus Himself would take the place of the Passover lamb, forever destroying the power of sin with His final sacrifice. In Isaiah 46:9–11, God says, ". . .for I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it."

We can take comfort in knowing that God has a plan for our lives. In moments of uncertainty or when we face challenges, we can trust that God is orchestrating every detail for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). Recognizing His hand at work in our circumstances can shift our perspective, helping us to hold onto faith over fear. As we seek to live according to His purposes, we can find peace in the assurance that nothing is random in God's economy—each event is an opportunity for growth, revelation, and deeper connection with Him.

understand

The Bible affirms that God is sovereign, all-knowing, and in control.
There are no coincidences or surprises to God.
God weaves our lives' events and decisions for His glory and our good.

reflect

How does understanding God’s sovereignty influence your perspective on events in your life that seem coincidental?
How have you experienced God’s guidance or intervention during unexpected situations?
When has a supposed coincidence turned out to be part of God’s greater plan?

engage

Perhaps the role of coincidence in God's eyes is best captured by the words of Albert Einstein, "Coincidences are God's way of remaining anonymous."
What implications does the belief in God's sovereignty have for our understanding of free will and our choices?
How does recognizing God's hand in both mundane and significant events shift our approach to the challenges and uncertainties we face?