Bible Verses About Killing in War
Ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community
These are the Bible verses most often cited for killing in war, ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community across 1,298 votes, led by Matthew 26:52. Each passage links to its verse page or the interactive map; scripture is the King James Version.
Top verses about Killing in War
Matthew 26:52117 votes
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Romans 13:1-14105 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.
Luke 6:27102 votes
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Exodus 21:23101 votes
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
Exodus 22:286 votes
If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
Romans 13:481 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 20:1372 votes
Thou shalt not kill.
Matthew 10:3454 votes
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Matthew 5:4448 votes
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Numbers 31:1-5445 votes
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Ephesians 6:10-2043 votes
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
James 4:134 votes
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
1 Samuel 15:1833 votes
And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
Matthew 5:38-3927 votes
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Ephesians 5:1126 votes
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Exodus 15:1-2724 votes
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Ecclesiastes 3:824 votes
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Deuteronomy 19:2123 votes
And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Romans 13:1-723 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.
Romans 13:920 votes
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Acts 5:2919 votes
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Exodus 21:1218 votes
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Luke 3:1418 votes
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
Romans 12:1718 votes
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Luke 22:3616 votes
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
What does the Bible say about killing in war?
Readers most often cite Matthew 26:52 on the subject of killing in war. Across 1,298 votes, 25 passages are commonly cited for this topic, including Romans 13:1-14, Luke 6:27, Exodus 21:23. This page lists all 25 in ranked order, quoted in the King James Version, with each linked to its cross-references.