Topical Bible: Murder: Persons Guilty of not to be Pitied or Spared

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Murder, the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life, is a grave sin condemned throughout the Scriptures. The Bible consistently upholds the sanctity of life, as humanity is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The act of murder is a direct violation of the divine commandment, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), and is met with severe consequences.

Divine Justice and Human Responsibility

The Bible emphasizes that those guilty of murder are not to be pitied or spared, reflecting the seriousness with which God views this sin. In Genesis 9:6, God establishes the principle of retributive justice: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind" . This underscores the responsibility of human authorities to administer justice in accordance with divine law.

The Role of Civil Authorities

The Mosaic Law provides specific instructions for dealing with murderers, ensuring that justice is served without partiality. Numbers 35:30-31 states, "If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness. You must not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death" . This passage highlights the necessity of due process and the inadmissibility of leniency or bribery in cases of murder.

Cities of Refuge and Unintentional Killing

While the Bible mandates strict punishment for murder, it also distinguishes between intentional and unintentional killing. Cities of refuge were established to protect those who killed unintentionally, allowing them to flee from the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted (Numbers 35:11-15). However, this provision does not apply to premeditated murderers, who are explicitly excluded from seeking asylum in these cities (Deuteronomy 19:11-13).

The Heart of the Matter

The New Testament further expands on the concept of murder by addressing the underlying attitudes that lead to such acts. Jesus teaches that harboring anger and hatred is akin to murder in the heart: "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (Matthew 5:22). This teaching emphasizes the importance of inner purity and reconciliation, urging believers to root out the seeds of violence and hatred.

The Role of the Church

The early church maintained a strong stance against murder, viewing it as incompatible with the Christian life. The Apostle John writes, "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer" (1 John 3:15). This reinforces the call for believers to embody love and forgiveness, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, murder is unequivocally condemned, and those guilty of this sin are subject to divine and human justice. The Bible's teachings on murder serve as a sobering reminder of the value God places on human life and the responsibility of individuals and societies to uphold justice and righteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 19:13
Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Rom. Iv. 23
... if it be not in the case of the same persons. ... pierced through, but when they pierce
through walls and murder. ... a man who finds a number of guilty actions in his ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily ix rom iv 23.htm

The Doctrine
... Again; though a man doth not covet, steal, murder, worship gods of ... have their mouths
stopped, but also that their persons "might become guilty before God ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... the fall of man"the first murder"the deluge ... these three, thus in the Godhead, Persons
or Subsistances ... absolutely forbidden; because they could not attain to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... the sun was all goodness, and persons or things ... sacrifice precludes the execution
of the guilty.' And this ... was considered as abominable as calumny or murder. ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

part ii
... nowadays; and owing to this in many persons there is ... as ourselves we must disdain
money, must not be allured ... although I know myself to be guilty of innumerable ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... Now these, as such, are not the persons interested in ... Hope calls upon the soul not
to forget how far ... mistakes that the soul hath formerly been guilty of, with ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... not have everybody know it, that between this and the gate by which we got into
the way, we were both so sorely assaulted that we were made to cry out, Murder! ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm