What Does the Bible Say About Self Defense?

“If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.”

“And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian.”

“They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.”

“Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”

“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”

“A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.”

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:”

“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

“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 Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.”

“And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.”

“Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?”

“And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.”

“And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.”

“And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.”

“And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing ? behold how many things they witness against thee.”

“But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.”

“When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:”

“Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”

“And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.”

“Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?”

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off , even as many as the Lord our God shall call .”

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”

“Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:”

“Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.”

“And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people , neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:”

“Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.”

“But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:”

“And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”

“Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.”

“Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.”

“Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.”

“Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,”

“Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.”

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

“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.”