What Does the Bible Say About The Death Penalty?
Here are 7 Bible verses about the death penalty, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Genesis 9:6
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
BSBWhoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.
- #2Exodus 21:12
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
BSBWhoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death.
- #3Exodus 20:13
Thou shalt not kill.
BSBYou shall not murder.
- #4Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
BSBFor the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- #5Exodus 21:17
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
BSBAnyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.
- #6Acts 25:11
For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cesar.
BSBIf, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
- #7Exodus 21:16
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
BSBWhoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).