The Bible presents a complex view on the topic of killing. While the act of taking a life is often condemned in scripture, there are various instances where God commands actions that result in death, and there are also discussions of justice, warfare, and punishment. In understanding the biblical perspective on killing, we must carefully interpret these verses within their historical, cultural, and theological contexts.
Here are 36 Bible verses about killing, which cover various themes such as the sanctity of life, justice, warfare, and the principles of peace.
1. Exodus 20:13
“You shall not murder.”
One of the most direct commandments about killing, the Sixth Commandment, forbids murder. It affirms the sanctity of human life.
2. Genesis 9:6
“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his own image.”
This verse emphasizes the value of human life and the seriousness of taking it. It also introduces the concept of capital punishment in the Old Testament.
3. Deuteronomy 5:17
“You shall not murder.”
Again, we find the same commandment repeated in the book of Deuteronomy. The prohibition against murder underscores the importance of respecting life.
4. Matthew 5:21
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.”
Jesus reinforces the commandment, adding a spiritual layer that even anger and hatred are to be avoided.
5. Matthew 5:22
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to hell of fire.”
Here, Jesus teaches that even anger can lead to judgment, broadening the commandment beyond physical killing.
6. Romans 13:9
“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
The Apostle Paul teaches that all commandments regarding harmful actions can be summarized by the command to love others.
7. Genesis 4:10
“The Lord said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.'”
After Cain kills Abel, God acknowledges the grave consequences of shedding innocent blood.
8. 1 John 3:15
“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
John expands on the theme of murder, teaching that hatred is akin to murder in God’s eyes.
9. Exodus 21:12
“Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.”
This verse speaks to the principle of justice and the consequences for taking a life in the Old Testament.
10. Exodus 21:14
“But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.”
This passage reflects the seriousness of premeditated murder and the requirement of punishment.
11. Numbers 35:30
“Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer. The only exception is if the murder was committed by accident.”
This clarifies that murderers, whether intentional or not, face severe consequences, though it provides an exception for accidental deaths.
12. Deuteronomy 19:11-12
“But if anyone hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him and attacks him and strikes him fatally so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities, then the elders of his city shall send and take him from there, and hand him over to the avenger of blood, so that he may die.”
This law addresses cases of premeditated murder, ensuring justice is served.
13. Proverbs 6:16-17
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.”
God condemns the shedding of innocent blood, highlighting its extreme wickedness.
14. Proverbs 12:6
“The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.”
This verse warns against those who desire to harm others through their words and actions.
15. Proverbs 28:17
“If someone is guilty of murder, let them be a fugitive until death; let no one help them.”
The Bible commands that those guilty of murder should face the consequences of their actions and not be aided in evading justice.
16. Leviticus 24:17
“Anyone who takes the life of a human being is to be put to death.”
This verse affirms the Old Testament’s strict justice system regarding the sanctity of human life.
17. Revelation 21:8
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
This verse illustrates the final judgment and the fate of those who commit heinous sins, including murder.
18. Matthew 26:52
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.'”
Jesus teaches about the futility of violence and the consequences of using force.
19. John 8:7
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”
In this story, Jesus prevents the stoning of a woman caught in adultery, offering a lesson on mercy over punishment.
20. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul reminds the Corinthian church of the gravity of sin, including acts like murder, and their consequences in God’s kingdom.
21. Luke 11:47-51
“Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers.”
Jesus criticizes those who, through their actions and attitudes, are complicit in the injustices of their ancestors, including violence.
22. Acts 3:15
“You killed the Author of life, but God raised him from the dead. To this we are witnesses.”
Peter accuses the people of Israel of killing Jesus, emphasizing the severe consequences of rejecting God’s Son.
23. Exodus 23:7
“Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.”
God commands justice and fairness, especially in cases involving the innocent, who must not be killed.
24. Psalm 106:38
“They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.”
This verse reflects the deep depravity of sacrificing children, illustrating how the shedding of innocent blood defiles a land.
25. Isaiah 1:15
“When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.”
God rebukes the Israelites for their sin, including violence, which has separated them from Him.
26. Jeremiah 7:6
“If you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm.”
God commands His people to uphold justice and not to shed innocent blood.
27. Jeremiah 22:3
“This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”
God condemns violence and injustice, particularly the shedding of innocent blood.
28. Psalm 139:19-22
“If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!”
David speaks of his desire for God to bring justice against the wicked, particularly those who shed innocent blood.
29. Isaiah 59:3
“For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt; your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things.”
Isaiah condemns the people of Israel for their sinful behavior, including the shedding of blood.
30. Matthew 18:6
“But if anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Jesus speaks about the seriousness of leading others, especially the innocent, into sin.
31. Luke 18:7
“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?”
This verse assures us that God will bring justice, particularly for those who are oppressed.
32. 2 Samuel 4:11
“How much more, when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed? Should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you?”
David speaks about the importance of punishing those who commit murder, even when the victims are in their own homes.
33. Luke 10:30-37
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.”
The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches about mercy, even for those who have been victims of violent acts.
34. 1 Timothy 1:9-10
“We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers…”
Paul outlines the kinds of people for whom the law was made, including murderers.
35. Hebrews 12:24
“To Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
The blood of Jesus speaks for mercy and redemption, contrasting with the blood of Abel that cried for vengeance.
36. James 2:13
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
James reminds us that while justice is necessary, mercy should always prevail, particularly in matters of judgment.
Conclusion
The Bible presents a complex view on the topic of killing. While the act of taking a life is often condemned in scripture, there are various instances where God commands actions that result in death, and there are also discussions of justice, warfare, and punishment. In understanding the biblical perspective on killing, we must carefully interpret these verses within their historical, cultural, and theological contexts.
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