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What does the Bible say about taking a life?

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The Bible teaches that unlawfully taking human life is a grave sin against God, who made every person in his image, while also distinguishing murder from other cases of death addressed by civil justice. The sixth commandment says, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17), and Genesis 9:6 grounds human life’s sanctity in God’s image. Exodus 21:12-14 distinguishes deliberate killing from unintended death and recognizes public justice. Jesus deepens the commandment in Matthew 5:21-22, exposing angry, contemptuous hearts, and 1 John 3:15 warns that hatred is akin to murder. God calls sinners to repentance, mercy, and love of neighbor, not personal vengeance.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Exodus 20:13

    "You shall not murder.

  • Genesis 9:6

    Whoever sheds man's blood, by man will his blood be shed, for in the image of God made he man.

  • Exodus 21:12

    "One who strikes a man so that he dies 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.

  • Romans 13:9

    For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

  • 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.

  • Exodus 21:12-14

    [12] "One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death, [13] but not if it is unintentional, but God allows it to happen: then I will appoint you a place where he shall flee. [14] If a man schemes and comes presumptuously on his neighbor to kill him, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.

  • Deuteronomy 5:17

    "You shall not murder.

  • John 8:7

    But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her."

  • Proverbs 6:16-17

    [16] There are six things which Yahweh hates; Yes, seven which are an abomination to him: [17] Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood;

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