The Bible generally discourages practices related to contacting or communicating with the dead, as these were often associated with occult practices. Instead, the focus is on life after death, faith in God’s promises, and trusting in His plan for those who have passed away.
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What Does The Bible Say About Visiting The Dead
1 Samuel 28:7
Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.”
This verse tells the story of King Saul seeking guidance from a medium in order to communicate with the dead. It highlights the dangerous and forbidden practice of seeking communion with the deceased. The Bible clearly warns against engaging in such activities as they are contrary to the will of God.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.
This passage clearly condemns any involvement in necromancy or communication with the dead. God considers such practices as abominations and warns His people against engaging in them. It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying away from any form of spiritualism that does not align with God’s will.
Leviticus 19:31
Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.
God explicitly commands His people not to seek guidance from mediums or necromancers. He wants His people to trust in Him and His divine guidance instead of seeking answers from the dead. By obeying this command, we demonstrate our trust in God’s sovereignty and wisdom.
Isaiah 8:19
And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?
This verse poses a rhetorical question, questioning the wisdom of seeking counsel from the dead instead of inquiring of God. It emphasizes that His people should rely on Him alone as their source of guidance and wisdom, rather than turning to mediums or necromancers for answers.
Hebrews 9:27
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.
This verse reminds us of the appointed destiny of every human being, which is death and subsequent judgment. Once a person dies, their earthly life comes to an end, and they face the judgment of God. It emphasizes the finality of death and the need to focus on our relationship with God while we are still alive.
Ecclesiastes 9:5
For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
This verse explains the state of the dead. Once a person dies, they no longer have consciousness or awareness. The dead do not possess knowledge or experience rewards or punishments. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on our spiritual life while we are alive, as our opportunities for growth and reward exist in the present.
John 11:11
After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”
In this context, Jesus uses the metaphor of sleep to refer to physical death. He implies that death is not a permanent state but rather a temporary sleep from which He has the power to awaken the dead. This verse instills hope in believers that, just as Jesus woke Lazarus from his sleep of death, He has the power to bring eternal life to those who believe in Him.
Psalm 146:4
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
This verse speaks of the fate of the human spirit after death. It highlights the mortality of human beings by describing how their spirits return to the ground, signifying the end of their earthly existence. It serves as a reminder that our earthly plans and pursuits will cease when we depart from this world, emphasizing the importance of focusing on eternal matters.
Ecclesiastes 12:7
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
This verse describes the separation of the body and spirit at death. The physical body returns to the earth, returning to its original state of dust, while the spirit returns to God. It highlights the dual nature of humans and the eternal destination of the spirit, reinforcing the belief in the afterlife and the importance of preparing our souls for eternity.
Psalm 115:17
The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence.
This verse emphasizes the inability of the dead to praise or communicate with the living. Once a person enters the realm of death, they are cut off from the ability to actively engage in worshipping God. It reminds us of the importance of using our time on earth to honor and glorify God, knowing that our opportunities for worship are limited to our time in the land of the living.
Mark 9:9-10
And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean.
This passage recounts a conversation between Jesus and His disciples after the Transfiguration. Jesus instructs them to keep what they had seen a secret until His resurrection. The disciples, still grappling with the concept of rising from the dead, pondered its meaning. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of Jesus’ resurrection and the hope it brings to believers.
1 Corinthians 15:20
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
This verse declares the resurrection of Christ as a historical fact. It also speaks of Jesus as the firstfruits, symbolizing that His resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of all believers. It offers hope and assurance that just as Christ conquered death and rose again, believers will also experience eternal life after death.
John 5:28-29
Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Jesus speaks of a future resurrection where all those who are in the tombs will hear His voice and be raised. This resurrection will result in two outcomes: those who have done good will experience the resurrection of life, while those who have done evil will face the resurrection of judgment. This verse underscores the reality and certainty of the resurrection and the ultimate accountability before God.
John 14:1-3
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
Jesus offers comfort and assurance to His disciples, assuring them that He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. He promises to come again to bring them to Himself, ensuring their eternal dwelling in His presence. This verse provides hope and solace to believers, knowing that their ultimate destination is a place of eternal joy and fellowship with Jesus.
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
This verse presents a heavenly declaration, pronouncing a special blessing upon those who die in the Lord. It speaks of the rest and reward that awaits believers after death, as their deeds and faithful service in this life will follow them into eternity. It serves as an encouragement to persevere and remain faithful, knowing that our faithfulness in this life has eternal significance.
Philippians 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
This verse expresses the apostle Paul’s conviction that dying as a follower of Christ is a gain. He recognizes that death is not the end but rather the beginning of a glorious eternity in the presence of Christ. Paul’s words challenge believers to live their lives wholly devoted to Christ, understanding that death is not something to be feared but rather a step into a state of gain and eternal bliss.
2 Corinthians 5:8
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Paul’s words in this verse reveal his longing to be absent from his earthly body and present with the Lord. He expresses the desire to be in the immediate presence of God, indicating that death will usher believers into a state of being at home with the Lord. It encourages believers to look forward to the life beyond this earthly existence, where they will experience true joy and intimacy with their Heavenly Father.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Paul addresses the concerns of the Thessalonian believers about those who have died. He encourages them not to grieve without hope but to remember that, just as Jesus died and rose again, God will bring those who have died in Christ with Him. This verse offers comfort and assurance to believers, providing hope in the midst of grief and affirming the promise of resurrection.
Luke 23:43
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In this verse, Jesus speaks to the thief crucified alongside Him, assuring him of immediate entrance into paradise. It reveals Jesus’ power and authority to grant forgiveness and salvation even in the final moments of a person’s life. This verse demonstrates the incredible mercy and grace of Jesus and offers hope to all sinners, assuring them of the possibility of salvation, even at the point of death.
Matthew 22:32
“I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.
Jesus employs this verse to prove the reality of the resurrection. By affirming that God is not the God of the dead but of the living, He underscores the eternal nature of life with God. This verse serves as a reminder of the hope believers have in receiving eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ and the assurance that their relationship with God extends beyond physical death.