Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About What Happens After Death?
19 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding What Happens After Death in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about what happens after death. This collection of 20 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 10 Verses About What Happens After Death
- 1
- 2Ecclesiastes 9:5
“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.”
KJV - 3Ecclesiastes 12:7
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
KJV - 4Ezekiel 18:20
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
KJV - 5Matthew 25:41
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
KJV - 6Matthew 25:46
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
KJV - 7Luke 20:36
“Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”
KJV - 8Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
KJV - 9John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
KJV - 10John 11:11
“These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About What Happens After Death? (4 Verses)
“And God spake all these words, saying,”
“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.”
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About What Happens After Death? (15 Verses)
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
“Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. spirit: or, breath”
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
“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 What Happens After Death
- 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 what happens after death. 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 what happens after death 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 what happens after death 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 what happens after death needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about what happens after death 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 what happens after death, 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 What Happens After Death?
You have studied 19 verses about what happens after death. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.