The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Violence

Violence is a harsh reality in our world, and the Bible doesn't shy away from addressing it. This article brings together 50 Bible verses that speak about violence, offering insights and reflections.

These verses cover a range of perspectives, from warnings and condemnations to calls for peace and justice. Whether you're seeking understanding or solace, these passages provide a thoughtful exploration of violence through a biblical lens.

50 Bible Verses About Violence

10 Bible Verses on Violence and Justice

• "Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow." — Isaiah 1:17
• "It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity." — Proverbs 21:15
• "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" — Micah 6:8
• "Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked." — Psalm 82:3-4
• "Thus says the Lord: 'Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.'" — Jeremiah 22:3
• "You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord your God is giving you." — Deuteronomy 16:20
• "For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant." — Isaiah 61:8
• "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.'" — Zechariah 7:9-10
• "For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil." — Romans 13:4
• "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." — Matthew 5:38-39

10 Bible Verses on Violence in Relationships

• "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." — Ephesians 5:25
• "Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them." — Colossians 3:19
• "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered." — 1 Peter 3:7
• "For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one's garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously." — Malachi 2:16
• "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." — Proverbs 15:1
• "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." — James 1:19-20
• "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" — 1 John 4:20
• "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." — Matthew 7:3-5
• "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" — Galatians 5:15
• "An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression." — Proverbs 29:22

10 Bible Verses on Violence and Forgiveness

• "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." — Matthew 6:14-15
• "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." — Luke 6:37
• "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." — Colossians 3:13
• "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." — Ephesians 4:32
• "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." — Mark 11:25
• "Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." — 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
• "Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" — Matthew 18:21-22
• "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." — Romans 12:19-21
• "Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.' And they divided His garments and cast lots." — Luke 23:34
• "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16

10 Bible Verses on Violence in Society

• "Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people." — Proverbs 14:34
• "Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace." — Isaiah 59:7-8
• "A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;" — Ecclesiastes 3:3
• "And I said: 'Hear now, O heads of Jacob, And you rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice? You who hate good and love evil; Who strip the skin from My people, And the flesh from their bones; Who also eat the flesh of My people, Flay their skin from them, Break their bones, And chop them in pieces Like meat for the pot, Like flesh in the caldron.'" — Micah 3:1-3
• "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." — Matthew 24:12
• "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" — 2 Timothy 3:1-5
• "Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;" — Romans 1:29-31
• "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." — Galatians 5:19-21
• "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." — Revelation 21:8
• "The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates." — Psalm 11:5

10 Bible Verses on God's Response to Violence

• "For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off." — Psalm 37:28
• "God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; The Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies." — Nahum 1:2
• "If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft." — Exodus 22:2-3
• "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord." — Isaiah 54:17
• "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord." — Romans 12:19
• "O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs— O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud." — Psalm 94:1-2
• "Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you," — 2 Thessalonians 1:6
• "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." — Revelation 19:11-16
• "And I will repay Babylon And all the inhabitants of Chaldea For all the evil they have done In Zion in your sight,” says the Lord." — Jeremiah 51:24
• "To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn," — Isaiah 61:2

What Does the Bible Say About Violence

The Bible has a lot to say about violence, offering guidance and wisdom for those seeking to understand and navigate this difficult issue. It doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of violence but instead provides a path toward justice, peace, and forgiveness. These teachings can help us reflect on our actions and encourage us to live more compassionately.

One key theme is justice. The Bible emphasizes the importance of seeking justice and defending the oppressed. Verses like Isaiah 1:17 and Psalm 82:3-4 call us to stand up for the vulnerable and ensure that justice is served. This reminds us that we have a role in making the world a fairer place.

Another important theme is the impact of violence in relationships. The Bible encourages love and understanding, especially within families. Ephesians 5:25 and Colossians 3:19 urge husbands to love their wives and avoid bitterness. These teachings highlight the need for kindness and respect in our closest relationships.

Forgiveness is also a major theme. The Bible teaches that forgiving others is crucial for our own spiritual well-being. Verses like Matthew 6:14-15 and Luke 6:37 remind us that forgiveness is a path to healing and peace. By letting go of grudges, we can find inner peace and improve our relationships.

Lastly, the Bible addresses violence in society. It warns against the dangers of lawlessness and the breakdown of moral values. Proverbs 14:34 and Isaiah 59:7-8 highlight the consequences of societal violence and the importance of righteousness. These verses encourage us to strive for a just and peaceful community.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Violence

Applying Bible teachings about violence to our daily lives is crucial for fostering a more just and peaceful world. These verses offer practical wisdom that can guide our actions and attitudes.

• Practice kindness and patience in your relationships. For example, respond with a soft answer when faced with anger, as Proverbs 15:1 suggests.
• Seek justice in your community. Volunteer for local organizations that support the oppressed and vulnerable, inspired by Isaiah 1:17.
• Make forgiveness a daily habit. Let go of grudges and forgive those who wrong you, following the advice of Matthew 6:14-15.
• Promote peace in your surroundings. Avoid engaging in or supporting violent behavior, and encourage others to do the same, as highlighted in Romans 12:19-21.
• Pray for guidance and strength. Ask God to help you embody these principles and make a positive impact in your community.

Remember, God is always with you, and your faith can lead to real change. By living out these teachings, you can help create a more compassionate and just world.

Explore more prayers and Bible verses on PrayersFor or use our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.