Topics(s) --> Bible Study, Moral Issues

Todd Clippard

The Bible is explicit in its authorization of the death penalty. In fact, in every dispensation of God's relationship to man (patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian) the death penalty is either expressly commanded or authorized.

Patriarchal Age -- In Genesis 9:6, as Noah and his family departed the ark, God gave the following command, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God made He man."

Mosaic Age -- there were numerous offenses in the Mosaic Law that required the death penalty. These included, but are not limited to:
1. failure to offer a proper sacrifice - Leviticus 17:3-4 (cut off from among the people is synonymous with putting someone to death);
2. the eating of blood -- Leviticus 17:10-14;
3. incest, adultery, child sacrifice, homosexuality, bestiality -- Leviticus 18:1-30; Leviticus 20:10-21
4. failure to burn a free-will offering after the third day -- Leviticus 19:5-8;
5. offering a child sacrifice or refusing to punish an idolater who offers child sacrifice -- Leviticus 20:2-5;
6. witchcraft -- Leviticus 20:6, 27;
7. cursing one's father or mother -- Leviticus 20:9;
8. violation of the Sabbath -- Number 15:32-36
9. failure/refusal to observe the Passover -- Number 9:13;
10. kidnapping -- Exodus 21:16; Deuteronomy 24:7;
11. failure to restrain unruly animals -- Exodus 21:28-29;
12. murder -- Exodus 21:12;
13. striking one's parents -- Exodus 21:15;
14. causing the premature death of an unborn baby -- Exodus 21:22-23;
15. idolatry -- Exodus 22:20.

Christian Age -- Romans 13:1-7 shows the governing authorities have the right to "bear the sword" against evildoers. Also, in Acts 25:11, Paul said "If I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die." Thus, Paul recognized some acts as being worthy of the death penalty, but in his defense said he had not committed such and act.