What does the Bible say about ghosts?

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

• Matthew 27:52-53

  [52] The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; [53] and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.

• Job 14:12

  So man lies down and doesn't rise; Until the heavens are no more, they shall not awake, Nor be roused out of their sleep.

• Hebrews 9:27

  Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,

• Luke 24:39

  See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you see that I have."

• 1 Samuel 28:3-19

  [3] Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had put away those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. [4] The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa. [5] When Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. [6] When Saul inquired of Yahweh, Yahweh didn't answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. [7] Then said Saul to his servants, Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. His servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at En-dor. [8] Saul disguised himself, and put on other clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, Please divine to me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whoever I shall name to you. [9] The woman said to him, Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: why then lay you a snare for my life, to cause me to die? [10] Saul swore to her by Yahweh, saying, As Yahweh lives, there shall no punishment happen to you for this thing. [11] Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up to you? He said, Bring me up Samuel. [12] When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, Why have you deceived me? for you are Saul. [13] The king said to her, Don't be afraid: for what do you see? The woman said to Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth. [14] He said to her, What form is he of? She said, An old man comes up; and he is covered with a robe. Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance. [15] Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disquieted me, to bring me up? Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do. [16] Samuel said, Why then do you ask of me, seeing Yahweh is departed from you, and is become your adversary? [17] Yahweh has done to you, as he spoke by me: and Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to David. [18] Because you didn't obey the voice of Yahweh, and didn't execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore has Yahweh done this thing to you this day. [19] Moreover Yahweh will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow shall you and your sons be with me: Yahweh will deliver the host of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.

• Luke 16:24-31

  [24] He cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.' [25] "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in like manner, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish. [26] Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that none may cross over from there to us.' [27] "He said, 'I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; [28] for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, so they won't also come into this place of torment.' [29] "But Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' [30] "He said, 'No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' [31] "He said to him, 'If they don't listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.'"

• Ecclesiastes 9:5

  For the living know that they will die, but the dead don't know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

• Matthew 14:26

  When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear.

• Psalms 146:3-4

  [3] Don't put your trust in princes, Each a son of man in whom there is no help. [4] His spirit departs, and he returns to the earth. In that very day, his thoughts perish.

• Isaiah 8:19

  When they shall tell you, "Consult with those who have familiar spirits and with the wizards, who chirp and who mutter:" shouldn't a people consult with their God? on behalf of the living [should they consult] with the dead?

Related topics

• spirits and ghosts
• the existence of ghosts