Bible Verses About The Death Penalty
Ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community
These are the Bible verses most often cited for the death penalty, ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community across 46,429 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 The Death Penalty
Genesis 9:62,057 votes
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Exodus 21:121,525 votes
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Exodus 20:131,041 votes
Thou shalt not kill.
Romans 6:23993 votes
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Exodus 21:17901 votes
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Acts 25:11901 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.
Exodus 21:16794 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.
Romans 12:19699 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.
Matthew 5:38-39688 votes
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Exodus 21:15685 votes
And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
John 8:7606 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.
John 8:3-11584 votes
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
Romans 13:1-4572 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 22:19554 votes
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 20:10547 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.
Exodus 21:23-25533 votes
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
Ecclesiastes 8:11530 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 21:14519 votes
But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
Revelation 21:8508 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.
Deuteronomy 21:18-21498 votes
If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
Leviticus 20:13496 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.
Romans 13:4480 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.
Romans 13:1-14473 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.
Deuteronomy 17:6469 votes
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Leviticus 20:9443 votes
For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
What does the Bible say about the death penalty?
Readers most often cite Genesis 9:6 on the subject of the death penalty. Across 46,429 votes, 25 passages are commonly cited for this topic, including Exodus 21:12, Exodus 20:13, Romans 6:23. This page lists all 25 in ranked order, quoted in the King James Version, with each linked to its cross-references.