Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Punishment For Murder?

13 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Punishment For Murder in the Bible

Explore what the Bible says about punishment for murder. This collection of 13 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.

13
Total Verses
7
Old Testament
6
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Punishment For Murder

  1. 1
    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.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Genesis 9:6
    Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Exodus 20:13
    Thou shalt not kill.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Exodus 21:12
    He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
    KJV
  5. 5
    Leviticus 24:17
    And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. killeth: Heb. smiteth the life of a man
    KJV
  6. 6
    Numbers 35:30
    Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
    KJV
  7. 7
    Numbers 35:31
    Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. guilty: Heb. faulty to die
    KJV
  8. 8
    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
    KJV
  9. 9
    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.
    KJV
  10. 10
    John 8:3
    And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Punishment For Murder? (7 Verses)

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.
Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Thou shalt not kill.
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. killeth: Heb. smiteth the life of a man
Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. guilty: Heb. faulty to die

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Punishment For Murder? (6 Verses)

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
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.
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ordained: or, ordered
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.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Punishment For Murder

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about punishment for murder. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about punishment for murder and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about punishment for murder is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on punishment for murder needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about punishment for murder with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about punishment for murder, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Punishment For Murder?

You have studied 13 verses about punishment for murder. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about punishment for murder?
Explore what the Bible says about punishment for murder. This collection of 13 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme. The Bible contains 13 key verses about punishment for murder spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about punishment for murder are there?
There are 13 key Bible verses about punishment for murder compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about punishment for murder?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about punishment for murder is 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 b..."
Where in the Bible does it talk about punishment for murder?
Punishment For Murder is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 13 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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