Bible Verses About Taking a Life
Ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community
These are the Bible verses most often cited for taking a life, ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community across 2,627 votes, led by Exodus 20:13. Each passage links to its verse page or the interactive map; scripture is the King James Version.
Top verses about Taking a Life
Exodus 20:13280 votes
Thou shalt not kill.
Genesis 9:6220 votes
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Exodus 21:12182 votes
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Romans 13:9136 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.
1 John 3:15132 votes
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Matthew 5:21-22129 votes
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
Exodus 21:12-14122 votes
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Deuteronomy 5:17109 votes
Thou shalt not kill.
Proverbs 6:16-1797 votes
These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
John 8:794 votes
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Revelation 21:884 votes
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Leviticus 24:1783 votes
And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.
Deuteronomy 19:11-1376 votes
But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:
Proverbs 24:1168 votes
If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
Numbers 35:11-3459 votes
Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
Matthew 19:1854 votes
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Jeremiah 1:546 votes
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
1 Peter 2:1641 votes
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Genesis 4:9-1134 votes
And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
Numbers 35:30-3433 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.
1 Samuel 2:633 votes
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
Psalms 51:1428 votes
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Deuteronomy 19:11-1227 votes
But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:
Genesis 9:5-626 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 12:1925 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.
What does the Bible say about taking a life?
Readers most often cite Exodus 20:13 on the subject of taking a life. Across 2,627 votes, 25 passages are commonly cited for this topic, including Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:12, Romans 13:9. This page lists all 25 in ranked order, quoted in the King James Version, with each linked to its cross-references.