Capital Punishment -- What Does the Bible Say?

Capital Punishment: What Does the Bible Say?

By Harley Pinon

There is much confusion among Christians as to what the Bible says about capital punishment. Some Christians are totally opposed to it, others are firm supporters. What does the Bible say about capital punishment?

There are several things that contribute to the confusion about this issue. We will consider two broad concepts: (1) Is it just part of the Law of Moses, and (2) Is it a matter that applies to individuals, or to government?

First of all, let’s consider the question, Is it just part of the Law of Moses? Let’s notice the very first reference to capital punishment. (Gen 9:3-6 NKJV) "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. {4} "But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. {5} "Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man's brother I will require the life of man. {6} "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.”

Very clearly, this is not a part of the Law of Moses. It is a law given to man hundreds of years before Moses was born. The ninth chapter of Genesis is the beginning of life on earth after the flood of Noah’s day. As indicated in the verses above, God had just given man the right to eat the meat of animals: "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs." At the exact time that God gave man the right to take the life of animals for food, He also made it clear that the privilege to kill did not extent to man. It is at this point that God ordained capital punishment: "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed;”

At this point, I simply want to state again: Capital punishment was in effect before the Law of Moses was given. Having said that, note that it was incorporated into the Ten Commandments: (Exo 20:13 NKJV) "You shall not murder." It should be noted that the NKJV, and all others translations that I have noted, use the word “murder,” not “kill” as is used in the old King James Version. The original word: רצח râtsach, is defined by Brown, Diver, and Briggs as follows: 1) to murder, slay, kill 1a) (Qal) to murder, slay 1a1) premeditated 1a2) accidental 1a3) as avenger 1a4) slayer (intentional) (participle)"

It should be noted that "murder" is the word used by the NIV, NASB, NKJV, TLB, and Young's Literal Translation. I submit this as being very scholarly evidence that "murder" is the correct translation. These are in agreement with with Brown, Diver, and Briggs as they express the idea of 1a) (Qal) to murder, 1a1) premeditated. I submit this here because some want to make the case that we cannot practice capital punishment because the Bible says, “You shall not kill.” The better rendering is “You shall not murder.” A second note needs to be added: God does not command us to do something that is in violation of His law. Capital punishment is a law that is stated and re-stated in the word of God.

Let’s move on to an additional explanation of the need of enforcing capital punishment: (Num 35:30-34 NKJV) 'Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty. {31} 'Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death. {32} . . . {33} 'So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. {34} 'Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.'"

Read the passage, and study it carefully. I think the message is very clear that God wants murderers to be sentenced to death, and the penalty carried out in a timely manner. Note verse 34 for example: 'Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit.” How could God have said it more emphatically?

But what about the New Testament?

Most people who reject capital punishment do not reject it because of what is said in the Old Testament, but rather because of what is said in the New Testament. It needs to be understood that more than one change took place when we move from the Old Testament to the New Testament. It is a new covenant, but it is also for a new group of people, and that is very important. The Law of Moses was written for the Children of Israel. In the Old Testament, we have not only the spiritual and ceremonial laws, but we also have civil laws that cover theft and it’s punishment, murder, man slaughter and numerous other crimes of a civil nature.

When we turn to the New Testament, these civil laws with their civil punishments are missing, or are they? Since Christianity is an international religion, the civil laws have been transferred to civil government. In Rom 13:1-7, we find these words: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. {2} Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. {3} For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. {4} 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. {5} Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. {6} For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. {7} Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”

The word translated “sword” in this case is the short sword such as was used by the executioner. This is a way of saying that he has the power and authority to kill you. Paul is not saying that Christians should work to change this. Instead, he is saying accept this: “For he is God's minister to you for good.” The good being a peaceful, orderly, civilized life of “law abiding” citizens. How is this "good" accomplished? It is accomplished because he is an enforcer of God's judgment--God's vengeance: "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. The sword in this case is the sword of executioner.

But what about “Turning the other cheek”?

We have already said that the New Testament did not deal with civil law except to say that we are to be subject to the civil law. “Turning the other cheek” is not related to civil law, but rather it is concerned with how we personally handle problems in our daily relationships. Paul said something very similar as he said, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. {18} If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. {19} Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.” (Rom 12:17-19 NKJV)

Yes, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.” But we need to remember that Paul said of civil government: “for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” Romans 13:4

The death penalty has been part of God’s plan from early days to the present. It was made clear in Genesis 9. It was incorporated into the Law of Moses. It was emphasized in Num 35:30-34, and transferred to civil government according to Romans 13:1-5. God is a God of justice and order. Yes, He will have the final word, but that does not rule out the execution of those guilty of murder before the day of final judgment.

Revisions made 5/23/2006

Back to Our Home Page

Hit Counter