Russell Brand's 'awkward' Bible moment goes viral, sparks online mockery, support

"Can I go back to asking a question about your Bible?" Morgan asked, referencing one that Brand had brought onto the set of the show.

When Brand confirmed the question, Morgan asked another:

"What was your thinking of taking it into court, and what you were seeing, looking at some passages, what were the relevant passages for you?"

"Thank you for asking me," Brand responded.

He proceeded to thumb through the Bible's pages, searching for a verse from Isaiah, but to no immediate avail.

Silence lingered as his search continued for approximately a minute and a half. Morgan said nothing while Brand repeatedly explained that the verse he sought came from the Old Testament book.

As he ended his search, Brand settled on a different verse from Isaiah chapter 12.

"I can't actually find the verse that I had that day, but this is good enough," he said, proceeding to read Isaiah 12:1-2.

"I will praise you Lord, although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me," he said.

"Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself is my strength and my defense."

The incident caused a stir on X, with one user accusing Brand of using the Bible as a "PR shield."

"For decades, Russell Brand played the high priest of hedonism and ego, but the moment the law comes knocking for rape and systemic abuse, he suddenly finds Jesus. This 'conversion' doesn't smell of incense; it reeks of pure, unadulterated desperation..."

Others, including many Christians, rushed to Brand's defense amid the mockery, including some who said they also cannot easily locate book, chapter and verse upon request.

"I am reading the Bible for the first time. There are verses that touch and hold but as a new believer I do not know exactly [which] verse. I can still be a follower and believer but can't recite chapter and verse."

"Writing in Bibles is TINY. Russell's faith may be the only thing keeping him going. Think of his wife and small children. Think of all the people he helped get off drugs. Wait for the jury to decide his fate. Let's not break God's commandments by bearing false witness. CONTEXT matters."

The incident comes as Brand faces a flurry of criticism over sexual assault allegations.