20 Scriptures on Hell

This article explores 20 Scriptures on Hell from the King James Version (KJV), providing biblical clarity on the nature of Hell, who will go there, and how to avoid it through faith in Jesus Christ. It is vital for Christians to understand the reality of Hell, not only for personal salvation but also to equip believers to share the Gospel with urgency and compassion.

Introduction: The Biblical Reality of Hell

Hell is not a popular topic in many modern churches or discussions, often dismissed or reinterpreted to fit a more comfortable worldview. However, the Bible consistently speaks of Hell as a literal place of eternal separation from God, reserved for those who reject God’s grace and live in rebellion to His Word.

Hell is often described using terms like “outer darkness,” “the lake of fire,” and “the bottomless pit.” It is a place where there is eternal torment, a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth, where the soul faces unrelenting judgment for sin and rejection of Christ. These scriptures remind us that the consequences of sin are not temporary, and they emphasize the importance of choosing life in Christ, who is the only way to escape Hell.

Key Themes Surrounding Hell

Eternal Punishment: Hell is depicted as a place of everlasting torment. It is not temporary or rehabilitative but a permanent state of separation from God.

The Judgment of God: Hell is the destination for those who reject the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

The Unquenchable Fire: Hell is described as a place of fire and brimstone, where there is no rest, no comfort, and no hope.

Separation from God: The most dreadful aspect of Hell is the absolute separation from the presence of God, who is the source of all goodness and life.

As we explore the Scriptures, it is essential to keep in mind that God’s desire is for no one to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Hell is a consequence of rejecting the Savior, but God offers grace through Jesus Christ to avoid this eternal fate.

20 Scriptures on Hell (KJV)

1. Matthew 5:22

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

In this verse, Jesus warns about the severity of anger and insults, likening it to the danger of Hell itself.

2. Matthew 5:29-30

“And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

This passage emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the importance of avoiding anything that might lead one to Hell.

3. Matthew 10:28

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Jesus teaches that the physical death of the body is not the ultimate threat; rather, it is the destruction of both soul and body in Hell that should be feared.

4. Matthew 23:33

“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

Jesus confronts the Pharisees, warning them of their hypocrisy and the dire consequences of their actions, leading to Hell.

5. Mark 9:43

“And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.”

Hell is described here as a place of unquenchable fire, emphasizing its eternal nature.

6. Mark 9:45

“And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.”

The reference to the “fire that never shall be quenched” reinforces the eternal suffering in Hell.

7. Mark 9:47

“And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.”

Again, the passage underscores the unrelenting nature of Hell’s torment.

8. Luke 12:5

“But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”

Jesus warns of the one who has the power to cast both soul and body into Hell, stressing the gravity of judgment.

9. Luke 16:23-24

“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”

The rich man in Hell experiences intense torment and separation from God, with no relief in sight.

10. Luke 16:25

“But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.”

Abraham’s response highlights the irreversible nature of Hell, emphasizing that the choices made in life have eternal consequences.

11. Revelation 14:10-11

“The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

Hell is described as a place of eternal torment and separation from God, where there is no rest.

12. Revelation 19:20

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

The fate of the beast and the false prophet is to be cast into the lake of fire, symbolizing the ultimate judgment of Hell.

13. Revelation 20:10

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

The devil’s eternal punishment is depicted as a place of unending torment in the lake of fire, a direct reference to Hell.

14. Revelation 20:14-15

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Hell itself will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire, symbolizing the finality of God’s judgment for the unsaved.

15. Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

This passage speaks about the two paths: one leading to eternal life and the other to destruction (Hell). The narrow way represents salvation through Christ.

16. Matthew 13:41-42

“The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

The final judgment involves the casting of the wicked into a furnace of fire, a direct reference to Hell.

17. Matthew 13:50

“And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

This verse reiterates the painful and tormenting nature of Hell.

18. 2 Thessalonians 1:9

“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”

The ultimate punishment for those who reject God is everlasting destruction, an eternal separation from God’s presence.

19. Revelation 21:8

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

This verse lists those who will face the second death in Hell, a place of eternal fire.

20. Matthew 25:41

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Jesus speaks of eternal fire, which was originally prepared for the devil and his angels but is also the final destination for the wicked.

Conclusion

Hell is a sobering and real consequence for those who reject Christ, and the Bible offers clear warnings about its severity. The scriptures provide a powerful reminder of the eternal separation from God and the torment faced by those who refuse the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

As Christians, it is essential to understand the reality of Hell, not to use it as a tool for fear but to emphasize the urgent need for salvation. The Bible encourages believers to share the Gospel, to live lives that reflect the love and grace of God, and to help others find the way to eternal life with Christ, avoiding the eternal consequences of Hell.

God’s desire is for no one to perish, and the Bible calls all to repentance and faith in Jesus. The message of salvation is clear: believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). Let us live in the light of this truth, understanding the eternal implications of our choices, and sharing the good news of Christ with urgency and compassion.