What does the Bible say about murder?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible forbids the unjust taking of human life and calls us to honor every person as made in God’s image. Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17 give the clear command, “You shall not murder,” while Exodus 21:12 and Leviticus 24:17 show the seriousness with which God regards it. Jesus deepens the command in Matthew 5:21-22, exposing angry, contemptuous hearts as roots of violence and calling His people to reconciliation. First John 3:15 likewise warns that hatred is spiritually akin to murder. God reserves final judgment and vengeance to Himself, as Romans 12:19 teaches, and Revelation 21:8 warns of judgment for unrepentant murderers. In Christ, sinners may receive forgiveness and new hearts that pursue peace.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

Exodus 20:13
"You shall not murder.
Leviticus 24:17
"'He who strikes any man mortally shall surely be put to death.
1 John 3:15
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
Deuteronomy 5:17
"You shall not murder.
Revelation 21:8
But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
Romans 12:19
Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."
Matthew 5:21
"You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not murder;' and 'Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.'
Exodus 21:12
"One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death,
Matthew 5:21-22
[21] "You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not murder;' and 'Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.' [22] But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.

Study outline

Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.

Nave's Topical Bible

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Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Forbidden by Mosaic law Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17
Why forbidden by God Genesis 9:6
The law made to restrain 1 Timothy 1:9
Described as killing
With premeditation Exodus 21:14
From hatred Numbers 35:20; Numbers 35:21; Deuteronomy 19:11
By lying in wait Numbers 35:20; Deuteronomy 19:11
By an instrument of iron Numbers 35:16
By the blow of a stone Numbers 35:17
By a hand weapon of wood Numbers 35:18
Killing a thief in the day, counted as Exodus 22:3
Early introduction of Genesis 4:8
Represented as a sin crying to heaven Genesis 4:10; Hebrews 12:24; Revelation 6:10
The Jews often guilty of Isaiah 1:21
Persons guilty of
Fearful and cowardly Genesis 4:14
Wanderers and vagabonds Genesis 4:14
Flee from God’s presence Genesis 4:16
Not protected in refuge cities Deuteronomy 19:11; Deuteronomy 19:12
Had no protection from altars Exodus 21:14
Not to be pitied or spared Deuteronomy 19:13
Often committed by night Nehemiah 6:10; Job 24:14
Imputed to the nearest city when the murderer was unknown Deuteronomy 21:1-3
Mode of clearing those suspected of Deuteronomy 21:3-9; Matthew 27:24
To be proved by two witnesses at least Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 19:11; Deuteronomy 19:15
Punishment for
The curse of God Genesis 4:11
Death Genesis 9:5; Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12; Numbers 35:16
Not to be commuted Numbers 35:32
Inflicted by the nearest of kin Numbers 35:19; Numbers 35:21
Forbidden Genesis 9:6; Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17; Romans 13:9
Explained by Christ Matthew 5:21; Matthew 5:22
Hatred is 1 John 3:15
Is a work for the flesh Galatians 5:21
Comes from the heart Matthew 15:19
Defiles the
Hands Isaiah 59:3
Person and garments Lamentations 4:13; Lamentations 4:14
Land Numbers 35:33; Psalms 106:38
Not concealed from God Isaiah 26:21; Jeremiah 2:34

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