Bible Verses About Capital Punishment
Ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community
These are the Bible verses most often cited for capital punishment, ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community across 9,954 votes, led by Genesis 9:6. Each passage links to its verse page or the interactive map; scripture is the King James Version.
Top verses about Capital Punishment
Genesis 9:6695 votes
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Exodus 21:12415 votes
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Leviticus 24:17-22341 votes
And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 24:17310 votes
And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.
Acts 25:11236 votes
For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cesar.
John 8:3-11200 votes
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
Genesis 9:5-6183 votes
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
Romans 13:1-14172 votes
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Exodus 20:13165 votes
Thou shalt not kill.
Numbers 35:30-31164 votes
Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
Exodus 21:16158 votes
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 20:10155 votes
And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 20:13149 votes
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Ecclesiastes 8:11146 votes
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Exodus 21:15137 votes
And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
Romans 13:1-4135 votes
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Exodus 21:17131 votes
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Romans 12:19131 votes
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Numbers 35:30130 votes
Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
Matthew 6:14-15126 votes
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Ezekiel 33:11121 votes
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Deuteronomy 22:22119 votes
If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
Romans 13:4116 votes
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Exodus 22:19115 votes
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Exodus 35:2115 votes
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the Lord: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
What does the Bible say about capital punishment?
Readers most often cite Genesis 9:6 on the subject of capital punishment. Across 9,954 votes, 25 passages are commonly cited for this topic, including Exodus 21:12, Leviticus 24:17-22, Leviticus 24:17. This page lists all 25 in ranked order, quoted in the King James Version, with each linked to its cross-references.