Murder is one of the gravest sins, but what does the Bible say about murderers? The Bible clearly condemns murder, but it also speaks about forgiveness, redemption, and the possibility of a changed life. Exploring these teachings can offer insights into justice, mercy, and the hope of transformation.
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What Does The Bible Say About murderers
Genesis 9:6
“Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.”
This verse emphasizes the severity of taking a human life and the divine commandment for capital punishment. It affirms the sanctity of human life as being made in God’s image and underscores the importance of justice and accountability for acts of murder.
Exodus 20:13
“You shall not murder.”
In the Ten Commandments, God explicitly commands His people to refrain from committing murder. This verse establishes the moral principle that intentionally taking the life of another human being is forbidden and goes against God’s will.
Deuteronomy 5:17
“You shall not murder.”
Similar to Exodus 20:13, this verse reiterates the commandment against murder, emphasizing the universal prohibition on unlawfully ending someone’s life. God’s law establishes the value and dignity of every individual and prohibits the act of murder in any form.
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”
This verse highlights God’s abhorrence towards the shedding of innocent blood. Murder is described as one of the detestable sins that greatly grieves the Lord. It serves as a reminder of the gravity of taking the life of an innocent person.
Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Jesus expands the understanding of murder beyond the physical act, equating harboring anger and insulting others to the spirit of murder. He emphasizes the importance of righteous attitudes and loving relationships, warning against the destructive consequences of hatred and verbal abuse.
Romans 13:9-10
“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
This passage explains how fulfilling the commandment of not committing murder aligns with the overarching principle of love. Love for one another negates any actions that inflict harm, including murder. Christians are called to treat their neighbors with love and respect, avoiding any form of harm or violence towards them.
1 John 3:15
“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
John connects the presence of hatred in one’s heart with the act of murder. The verse points out the spiritual consequence of hatred, affirming that those who harbor hatred lack the eternal life that comes from a relationship with God. Genuine believers are called to love one another and reject the destructive nature of hatred.
Job 24:14
“When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up, kills the poor and needy; in the night, they steal forth like thieves.”
This verse describes the wickedness of murderers who take advantage of darkness to carry out their evil deeds. It highlights the vulnerability of the poor and the needy, who often become targets of those with malicious intent. It serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by innocent people due to the actions of murderers.
Proverbs 28:17
“Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.”
This verse emphasizes the heavy burden of guilt and the destructive nature of murder. It states that those who are consumed by guilt may even desire death as an escape from their remorse. It underscores the profound consequences, both emotionally and spiritually, that murderers face because of their actions.
John 8:44
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Jesus confronts the religious leaders who opposed Him, exposing the evil nature of their intentions. He connects their desire to murder Him with their allegiance to the devil, describing the devil as a murderer from the beginning. This verse highlights the connection between murder, falsehood, and Satan’s influence.
Proverbs 1:11-12
“If they say, ‘Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;'”
This verse portrays the wickedness of people who entice others to participate in violence and murder. It warns against joining those with malicious intent, describing their actions in vivid imagery. It serves as a cautionary reminder to resist the influence of others who promote harm and bloodshed.
Numbers 35:16-18
“If a man strikes someone with an iron object so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death. Or if anyone has a stone in their hand that could kill and strikes someone so that they die, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death. Or if anyone has a wooden object in their hand that could kill and strikes someone so that they die, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death.”
This passage provides specific examples of actions that constitute murder and the appropriate penalty for such acts. It outlines various scenarios where deliberate actions that cause another person’s death are considered acts of murder, and the consequence is capital punishment. This demonstrates the seriousness of unlawfully taking a human life.
Psalm 55:23
“But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.”
In this psalm, the psalmist expresses confidence in God’s justice. The wicked, including those who are bloodthirsty and deceitful, will ultimately face their punishment and have a shortened lifespan. The psalmist contrasts their fate with their own trust in God’s providence and protection.
Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
This verse describes the destiny of various sinful individuals, including murderers, who will face eternal punishment in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. It serves as a warning about the eternal consequences of unrepentant acts of murder, emphasizing the seriousness of this offense in the sight of God.
Proverbs 12:6
“The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.”
This verse contrasts the intentions of the wicked and the actions of the righteous. The wicked are depicted as plotting evil, even using their words to harm and shed blood. In contrast, the upright use their words to bring rescue and deliverance. It underscores the power of righteous speech to counteract violence and uphold justice.
Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”
Jesus speaks these words to one of His disciples who tried to defend Him with a sword during His arrest. He teaches that resorting to violence and murder will only perpetuate a cycle of violence. This verse emphasizes the principle of non-violence and highlights the need to trust in God’s ultimate plan rather than relying on human means to establish justice.
Ezekiel 22:3-4
“You say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: This city is a pot, and we are the meat.’ As for you, I will punish you as your actions deserve, declares the Sovereign Lord. Have you not just committed murder and violence against its people?”
In this passage, God accuses the leaders of a city of committing murder and violence against its inhabitants. It highlights the responsibility and accountability of those in positions of power to protect and preserve life. It serves as a rebuke against those who exploit their authority to harm others.
Psalms 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 verse speaks of the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice in pagan cultures. It condemns the shedding of innocent blood and the desecration of the land as a consequence of such atrocities. It serves as a reminder of the wickedness of idolatry and the value God places on the lives of children.
2 Chronicles 24:22
“King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, ‘May the Lord see this and call you to account.'”
This verse recounts the story of King Joash, who murdered the son of a kind and influential priest, Jehoiada. It shows the consequence of forgotten gratitude and the brutal act committed in response. It serves as a cautionary tale highlighting the destructive nature of ungratefulness and the tragic consequences it can lead to.
Mark 10:19
“You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.'”
Jesus mentions the commandment against murder as part of His response to a rich young ruler’s question about eternal life. By including this commandment alongside others, Jesus asserts the importance of upholding God’s moral law. It emphasizes the necessity of righteousness and obedience to God’s commands.
Proverbs 24:11-12
“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”
This verse urges individuals to intervene and protect those who are being unjustly led towards death or harm. It calls for action to save the innocent and emphasizes the accountability of those who turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. It speaks to the importance of justice and the knowledge that God sees and weighs every action.
Acts 9:1-2
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”
This passage describes Saul (who later became the Apostle Paul) actively seeking to persecute and imprison followers of Jesus. It depicts his murderous intent and hostility towards those who believed in Christ. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God’s grace, as Saul’s life was dramatically changed when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.
1 Timothy 1:9-10
“We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.”
Paul lists murder among various other sins that are contrary to sound doctrine, highlighting the importance of God’s law in addressing and correcting such behavior. It points out the necessity for law to govern those who engage in murder and emphasizes the standard of holiness Christians are called to uphold.
Titus 3:3
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”
Paul acknowledges the transformation that occurs in the lives of believers, noting that they, too, were once trapped in a lifestyle characterized by malice and hatred. This verse serves as a reminder of the power of God’s grace to change hearts and bring about repentance, transforming former murderers into vessels of love and reconciliation.
Revelation 22:15
“Outside [the New Jerusalem] are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
In the description of the New Jerusalem, this verse highlights the exclusion of murderers from this holy city. It emphasizes the incompatibility of murder with the righteous and eternal dwelling place of God’s people. It serves as a reminder of the consequences murderers will face if they remain unrepentant and untransformed.