Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About When We Die?
12 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding When We Die in the Bible
What does the Bible say about when we die? Browse 15 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About When We Die
- 1Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
KJV - 2Ecclesiastes 12:7
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
KJV - 3Daniel 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 - 4Luke 16:19
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”
KJV - 5Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
KJV - 6John 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 - 7John 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 - 8John 11:25
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”
KJV - 9Acts 2:34
“For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,”
KJV - 10Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About When We Die? (3 Verses)
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
“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 When We Die? (9 Verses)
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”
“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.”
“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:”
“For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,”
“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 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 When We 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 when we 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 when we 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 when we 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 when we die needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about when we 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 when we 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 When We Die?
You have studied 12 verses about when we die. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.