Bible Question: Does the Bible support capital punishment? I am under the impression that it does, though I may be mistaken. I certainly support it. Am I wrong in supporting capital punishment? Please state biblical references with your answer. Thank you. |
Bible Answer: In answer to your question, I can say that it certainly doesn't oppose capital punishment. Take these verses for example: Genesis 9:6 "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man." Exodus 21:12 "He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death." NUM 35:16-19 "But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. And if he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he may die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he may die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him. NUM 35:21 "or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity, and as a result he died, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, he is a murderer; the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him. That's not to say that we each have the right to vigilante killings. No. God clearly points out that authorities are brought to power for the purpose of administering justice. (For example, Romans 13:1-4) This includes capital punishment, which requires evidence, not revenge. NUM 35:30-31 "If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. Moreover, you shall not take ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death." I know this is a bit long, but one final comment to share: There's very good commentary on this topic by Greg Koukl (A Christian Apologist and Radio Talk Show Host in CA) at the following 2 URLs: http://www.str.org/free/commentaries/social_issues/reasonsf.htm and at http://www.str.org/free/commentaries/social_issues/cap_pun.htm God Bless you... In Christ Jesus. |