Anyone who claims others should die is advocating murder and should be put to death.
The Bible contains many places where God commands that certain people should die for doing specific actions.
These commands appear primarily in the Old Testament, especially in the Mosaic Law, and they cover a wide range of offenses.
Below is a clear, structured list grounded in the passages surfaced by search.
Exodus 21:12 — “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.”
Genesis 9:6 — Foundational principle: whoever sheds human blood must have their blood shed.
Exodus 21:14 — If someone kills willfully and treacherously, they must be put to death.
Exodus 21:16 — Kidnappers must be put to death, whether the victim is sold or still in possession.
Exodus 22:19 — Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must be put to death.
Leviticus 20:10 — Both the adulterer and adulteress must be put to death.
Leviticus 20:13 — Mandates death for male same-sex intercourse. (Note: This is part of Israel’s covenant law, not a universal command for all nations.)
Deuteronomy 13:5 — False prophets leading people astray must be put to death.
Deuteronomy 22:24 — In specific circumstances (e.g., consensual adultery in betrothal), both parties were executed.
Deuteronomy 22:25 — Rape of a betrothed woman carried the death penalty for the man.
Mosaic Law includes death penalties for:
Idolatry
Blasphemy
Certain family offenses (summarized in OT legal sections)
Many of these commands were part of Israel’s covenant identity — a nation meant to display God’s holiness. They were not universal civil laws for all nations.
Example: David committed adultery and murder, yet God spared him.
Jesus exposes hypocrisy in enforcement (John 8:7) and highlights mercy, though He does not abolish the principle of justice.
Paul acknowledges the state’s authority to wield the sword (Romans 13:1–7).
| Offense | Passage | Penalty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | Gen 9:6; Ex 21:12 | Death | Universal principle (Noahic covenant) |
| Premeditated killing | Ex 21:14 | Death | Intent matters |
| Kidnapping | Ex 21:16 | Death | Severe social harm |
| Bestiality | Ex 22:19 | Death | Sexual boundary violation |
| Adultery | Lev 20:10 | Death | Covenant purity |
| Homosexual acts | Lev 20:13 | Death | Mosaic covenant law |
| False prophecy | Deut 13:5 | Death | Protecting Israel from idolatry |
| Certain sexual crimes | Deut 22:24–25 | Death | Context-specific |
| Idolatry/blasphemy | Various | Death | Covenant holiness |