Miscellaneous

Bible Quotes About Killing

8 Scripture verses about killing from the King James Version, with full verse text for study and meditation.

Scripture clearly upholds the sanctity of human life, commanding 'Thou shalt not kill' (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17) while distinguishing the gravity of taking innocent life (Exodus 23:7) and declaring that God will require a reckoning for the shedding of blood (Genesis 9:5). Jesus reiterates this command in Matthew 5:21, warning that those who kill face judgment. However, Romans 13:4 teaches that God ordains authorities to wield the sword justly, implying a divine allowance for killing in contexts such as self-defense or war, always under God's righteous judgment.

Total Verses

Old Testament

New Testament

Top 8 Bible Quotes About Killing

Genesis 9:5 — “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.”
Exodus 20:13 — “Thou shalt not kill.”
Exodus 23:7 — “Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.”
Deuteronomy 5:17 — “Thou shalt not kill.”
Matthew 5:21 — “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: by: or, to”
Romans 13:4 — “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 ...”
Romans 13:9 — “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly compr...”
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 brimst...”

Subtopics of Killing

accidental killings

killing animals

killing in self defense

killing in war

killing innocent

killing insects

Old Testament Quotes About Killing (4)

“And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.”

Genesis 9:5KJV

“Thou shalt not kill.”

Exodus 20:13KJV

“Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.”

Exodus 23:7KJV

“Thou shalt not kill.”

Deuteronomy 5:17KJV

New Testament Quotes About Killing (4)

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: by: or, to”

Matthew 5:21KJV

“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

“For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Romans 13:9KJV

“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.”

Revelation 21:8KJV

Frequently Asked Questions About Killing in the Bible

What does the Bible say about killing?

The Bible contains 8 verses about killing, covering this topic from Genesis to Revelation. Scripture provides guidance, instruction, and comfort regarding killing through both the Old and New Testaments.

How many Bible verses are about killing?

There are 8 Bible verses about killing 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 killing?

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

Where in the Bible does it talk about killing?

Killing is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 8 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.