The Bible places a strong emphasis on the sanctity of life, especially the lives of children. Throughout scripture, harming children is seen as a grave act. While some passages may seem difficult to understand, the overall biblical message is clear: life is sacred, and children hold a special place in God’s heart. Let’s explore the Bible’s stance on protecting the innocent and the value it places on young lives.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Ungratefulness
What Does The Bible Say About Killing Children
Exodus 20:13
“You shall not murder.”
This verse from the Ten Commandments makes it clear that killing, including the killing of children, is prohibited. God values and cherishes human life, and taking the life of an innocent child goes against His commandments.
Leviticus 20:2
“Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death. The members of the community are to stone him.”
God strictly forbids the sacrifice of children to idols, as it is an abomination in His sight. This verse outlines the severe punishment for those who engage in such practices. God desires the protection and well-being of children, and He wants us to treat them with love and care.
Deuteronomy 12:31
“You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.”
This verse warns against adopting the practices of other nations and engaging in child sacrifice. God detests such acts and calls His people to worship and honor Him alone. The lives of children are meant to be cherished and protected, not offered as sacrifices to false gods.
Psalm 106:37-38
“They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to false gods. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.”
This passage refers to the tragic reality of some ancient nations offering their children as sacrifices to idols. It highlights the atrocious nature of child sacrifice and emphasizes the consequences it has on the land and people. God desires His people to value and protect the lives of children.
Proverbs 6:16-17
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.”
God specifically mentions the shedding of innocent blood as one of the detestable acts. Killing children is a grave sin that goes against God’s heart. He wants us to show love and compassion toward children, nurturing and protecting them rather than causing harm.
Matthew 18:6
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of protecting children and not leading them astray. He strongly warns against causing harm or leading children away from their faith. The severity of the consequence mentioned underscores the value Jesus places on the well-being of children.
Mark 9:42
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”
Similar to the previous verse, Jesus reiterates the severe consequence of causing harm to children. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing their faith and protecting their innocence. Jesus has a deep love for children and we are called to emulate that love.
Luke 17:2
“It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.”
Jesus continues to stress the gravity of causing harm to children, highlighting the severe judgment that awaits those who do so. Protecting and nurturing the faith of children is of utmost importance in the eyes of Jesus.
Acts 7:19
“He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.”
This verse refers to the oppressive actions of Pharaoh in Egypt, who ordered the killing of Hebrew male infants. It serves as a reminder of the wickedness of child killing and the need to protect and cherish the lives of little ones.
2 Kings 16:3
“Instead, he followed the ways of the kings of Israel and even sacrificed his son in the fire, engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites.”
This verse highlights the tragic decision of King Ahaz, who sacrificed his own son as part of the detestable practices of the surrounding nations. It serves as a warning against partaking in such abominations and emphasizes the importance of valuing the lives of children.
Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
This verse beautifully expresses how children are a precious gift from God. They are to be treasured and protected, as they hold immense value in His eyes. We are called to love and nurture them, recognizing their significance in God’s plan.
Psalm 139:13-14
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
This poetic passage highlights the intricate work of God in creating each human life, including unborn children. It emphasizes the preciousness and sanctity of life, underscoring the need to protect and cherish the lives of all, especially children.
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”
This verse depicts the deep compassion and unfailing love of God. It compares the love of a mother for her child to God’s love for His people. It reinforces the importance of valuing and protecting the lives of children, as God never forgets or forsakes them.
Matthew 19:14
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'”
In this verse, Jesus affirms the significance of children and their place in the kingdom of heaven. He encourages us to welcome and embrace children, recognizing their importance in His eyes. We should strive to create an environment where children can experience and grow in the love of Christ.
Mark 10:13-16
“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
This powerful passage showcases Jesus’ love for children and His desire for them to have access to His presence. It teaches us not to dismiss or hinder children but to embrace their innocence and trust, recognizing their potential for understanding and experiencing God’s kingdom.
Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
In this verse, parents are reminded of their responsibility to raise their children in the ways of the Lord. It emphasizes the need for nurturing and guiding children with love and care, ensuring they have a solid foundation in their faith.
Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
This verse calls fathers (and parents) to treat their children with kindness and show them love. It emphasizes the importance of creating an environment that fosters emotional well-being and encouragement, allowing children to grow in a positive way.
1 Timothy 5:8
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse reminds us of the responsibility to provide for and take care of our families, including our children. It stresses the importance of meeting their physical and emotional needs, ensuring their well-being and security.
Judges 11:30-31
“And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: ‘If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.'”
This passage tells the story of Jephthah, who made a rash vow to sacrifice the first thing that greeted him after a military victory. Tragically, it was his daughter who came out to meet him. This account serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating the disastrous consequences of making hasty and thoughtless decisions that can result in harm to children.
Jeremiah 32:35
“They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molek, though I never commanded—nor did it enter my mind—that they should do such a detestable thing and so make Judah sin.”
In this verse, God expresses His abhorrence for the sacrifice of children to idols. He emphasizes that such practices were not His command and were never even a thought in His mind. God desires us to protect and nurture the lives of children rather than subjecting them to harm.
Micah 6:7
“Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
Here, the prophet Micah poses a rhetorical question, challenging the notion of offering one’s own child as a sacrifice for personal wrongdoing. This verse underscores the absurdity and immorality of child sacrifice, reminding us that it goes against the very nature and will of God.
Matthew 2:16
“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.”
This verse tells the tragic story of King Herod’s order to kill all the male infants in Bethlehem in an attempt to eliminate Jesus, the newborn King. It highlights the extreme lengths some will go to in order to protect their power and control, leading to the senseless killing of innocent children.
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Jesus contrasts His purpose with the aim of the enemy. He affirms that He came to bring abundant life, in stark contrast to the thief who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. This verse reminds us of the importance of preserving and nurturing the lives of children, for they are part of the abundant life Jesus offers.