What does the Bible say about punishment?

Answer 1

; It is likely that there is not one single Christian view. One Christian view would refer to the verses below as containing relevant principles. In particular the carrying out of justice upon an evildoer is most certainly permitted by these verses.

But, unlike the Law of Moses, given specifically to the Israelites, there are no details in the New Testament regarding specific punishable offenses, although Genesis 9:6 is a foundational principal on which capital punishment for murder could be carried out. See below.

The New Testement makes a clear distinction between the life of an individual as a Christian believer and the believer as a citizen under another institution of God, the state. As an individual believer he is to turn the other cheek. As a citizen of the state he is to be subject to the higher powers when such do not conflict with God's higher law.

1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 6Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. This is one of the primary differences between the Law of Moses, given specifically to Israel, and the 'law of life in Christ Jesus' which sets Christians free to willingly serve and love both God and their fellow man and also be good citizens 'subject to the higher powers.' Unlike the Israelites who were specifically classified as a 'stiff-necked people' (i.e. stubborn and unteachable) in the Old Testament, Christians are to be both humble and teachable, and due to the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit who enables victory over sin, will not themselves require capital punishment, at least not justly.

Christians are divided today on the use of capital punishment, although many do support it, in limited circumstances and most certainly on principles of universal application, not on rules relating only to one nation at one time in history.

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== == The Old Testament invoked the death penalty for a variety of sins in the theistic governmental society of Israel, such as adultery, bestiality, blasphemy and so forth. However, in the New Testament, Jesus stopped the stoning of the woman caught in adultery. He asked that he who is without sin, cast the first stone. Since none were without sin, they all walked away. This doesn't necessarily mean he was banning the death penalty, but he was certainly indicating a need for mercy in some circumstances. == 1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Answer 2

___Note from the person that posted this question____

there is no answer to this question yet, but there is discussions on the discussion page, please go there to get caught up on whats going on and feel free to join the 'debate'

Answer:

With God, the transgression of His law, the Ten Commandments, are capital crimes which is how He defines "sin" (I John 3:4). And of this matter, He says: "...the wages of sin is death..." (Rom.6:23).

Answer 3

The Bible has been used by both sides to be in favor of the death penalty and by those opposed to the capital punishment. On the one hand, Jesus was put to death, on the other hand, Jesus never murdered anyone. Some say the commandment; is thou shalt not kill, and there are others who say it's: thou shalt not murder. There is no clear yes or no in the Bible concerning capital punishment, and it's up to people to decide on what to do in specific crimes regarding specific criminals. Mercy and justice are the two cornerstones of the Bible, and it's up to people to choose if the death penalty is the appropriate punishment for various crimes, depending on the circumstances of the specific crimes.

Answer 4

The Bible mentions punishment many times. Unfortunately, whenever someone suffers in the Bible, modern readers immediately assume it is a punishment by God, and this is not always the case. There are a few verses in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 12, which say that a servant who does wrong without knowing it should receive few lashes while the servant who knowingly does wrong should receive many lashes. The parable should be obvious.

Answer 5

Seeing as I am just a sixteen year old boy, you may want to just disregard my answer seeing as I have very little biblical training.

Because I could not find the direct passage in the bible I would like to discuss, I have found an online summary of the tasks that unfolded. The items I reference may be found here. http://www.ce-rs.com/USERIMAGES/kingdavid.pdf. Kind David who according to the scriptures had been selected to rule Israel by god executed his own captain to show his disapproval. I believe David also executed more of his men on a separate occasion when they killed another of his enemies, but I could find nothing of that passage. I hope this helped a little.

Answer 6

[Short answer], Yes it does it supports the death penalty for many "felony's"

but its important that you dint base your view on morality entirely from one source think about it ourselves and reach your own conclusion

[Long Answer] The Old Testament supports the idea of capital punishment, but if you mean "does it support capital punishment as implemented by America?", then the answer is actually no. The Old Testament, despite being called "primitive" and "barbaric", actually had a much more just and fair process for finding someone guilty. Unlike America, in the Old Testament they didn't convict innocent people. The Old Testament has a more stringent group of guidelines than America does to prevent conviction of innocent people. For example, in the Bible nobody can be found guilty of any crime, unless they

A. they knew what they were doing was illegal

B. knew what punishment the particular crime warranted

C. Had at least 2 or 3 witnesses to the crime

D. The witnesses were analized carefully and deemed to be credible or not credible

E. Had the group of judges finally agree on the above, and on the warranting of death.

The modern American system has neither of these requirements. People can get punished for things they didnt know were illegal. They can be given punishments they were never told they would get for that particular crime. They can be convicted with no proof, with one witness, and even with no witnesses. Also, they can be convicted despite the judges wishes (the judge is more qualified than a group of random people to decide these things). An example of this would be a judge having to throw the book at a person for the "3 strikes law", despite the judge's own wishes. These things make America's system very anti-biblical and thus the implementation of capital punishment in America is not supported by the Old Testament at all. The Old Testament values a life, even one, and thus has many measures to ensrue than not one innocent person is given the capital punishment, unlike modern societies where knowing that innocent people do end up being convicted is simply seen as "collateral damage" or "necessary evils". It is a fact that innocent people have been given the death penalty.

Answer 7

The bible can speak in favour for the death penalty but can also speak against it.

Answer 8

The Bible supports it.