Miscellaneous

Bible Quotes About Just War

12 Scripture verses about just war from the King James Version, with full verse text for study and meditation.

The Bible acknowledges the reality of war as part of God's sovereign plan, describing the LORD as a warrior who empowers His people for battle (Exodus 15:3; Psalms 144:1). Scripture encourages trust in God's presence and strength even when facing overwhelming enemies (Deuteronomy 20:1), while also recognizing that there is a divinely appointed time for both war and peace (Ecclesiastes 3:8). Christ’s teaching calls believers to pursue peace and love their enemies, highlighting the tension between just warfare and the higher calling to be peacemakers and to pray for those who oppose us (Matthew 5:9, 44).

Total Verses

Old Testament

New Testament

Top 10 Bible Quotes About Just War

Exodus 15:3 — “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.”
Deuteronomy 20:1 — “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of...”
Psalms 144:1 — “A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: strength: Heb. rock to war: Heb. to the war, etc”
Ecclesiastes 3:8 — “A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5:44 — “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
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.”
Matthew 10:34 — “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
Matthew 24:6 — “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
Matthew 26:52 — “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”

Old Testament Quotes About Just War (4)

“The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.”

Exodus 15:3KJV

“When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”

Deuteronomy 20:1KJV

“A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: strength: Heb. rock to war: Heb. to the war, etc”

Psalms 144:1KJV

“A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

Ecclesiastes 3:8KJV

New Testament Quotes About Just War (8)

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Matthew 5:9KJV

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

Matthew 5:44KJV

“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.”

Matthew 10:28KJV

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”

Matthew 10:34KJV

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”

Matthew 24:6KJV

“Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”

Matthew 26:52KJV

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

John 18:36KJV

“For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

Romans 13:4KJV

Frequently Asked Questions About Just War in the Bible

What does the Bible say about just war?

The Bible contains 12 verses about just war, covering this topic from Genesis to Revelation. Scripture provides guidance, instruction, and comfort regarding just war through both the Old and New Testaments.

How many Bible verses are about just war?

There are 12 Bible verses about just war in the King James Version. These verses span multiple books of the Bible and cover various aspects of this topic.

What is the best Bible verse about just war?

While many verses address just war, the most well-known passages come from various books of the Bible. The best verse depends on your specific situation and what aspect of just war you are studying.

Where in the Bible does it talk about just war?

Just War is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 12 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.