Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About What Happens When You Die?
16 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding What Happens When You Die in the Bible
Discover 19 powerful Bible verses about what happens when you die. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential miscellaneous topic.
Top 10 Verses About What Happens When You Die
- 1Psalms 146:4
“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.”
KJV - 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 18:4
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
KJV - 5Daniel 12:2
“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
KJV - 6Matthew 10:28
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
KJV - 7Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
KJV - 8John 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 - 9John 5:24
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
KJV - 10John 5:28
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About What Happens When You Die? (5 Verses)
“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.”
“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.”
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”
“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About What Happens When You Die? (11 Verses)
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
“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.”
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,”
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”
“Who will render to every man according to his deeds:”
“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:”
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
“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.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About What Happens When You Die
- 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 when you die. 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 when you die 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 when you die 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 when you die needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about what happens when you die 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 when you die, 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 When You Die?
You have studied 16 verses about what happens when you die. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.