Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Purgatory?
9 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Purgatory in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about purgatory. This collection of 16 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 9 Verses About Purgatory
- 1Matthew 5:26
“Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.”
KJV - 2
- 3Matthew 12:36
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
KJV - 4Luke 12:47
“And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.”
KJV - 5
- 6
- 7Revelation 20:12
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
KJV - 8Revelation 21:1
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”
KJV - 9Revelation 21:27
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”
KJV
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Purgatory? (9 Verses)
“Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.”
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
“And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.”
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Purgatory
- 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
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about purgatory. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 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
Memorise at least one key verse about purgatory 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 purgatory 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 purgatory needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about purgatory 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 purgatory, 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 Purgatory?
You have studied 9 verses about purgatory. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.