Revenge is a natural human inclination when wronged, yet the Bible teaches a different path of forgiveness and leaving justice in the hands of God. This collection of 30 Bible verses about revenge explores the biblical perspective on retaliation, promoting a spirit of forgiveness and reliance on divine justice.
Bible Verses About Revenge
Romans 12:19
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'”
This verse encourages believers to resist the urge to take revenge and trust in God’s ultimate justice. It emphasizes that vengeance belongs to God alone.
Matthew 5:38-39
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Jesus challenges the traditional “eye for an eye” mentality, advocating for non-retaliation and turning the other cheek as a demonstration of mercy.
Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”
This proverb advises against seeking personal vengeance, urging believers to wait on the Lord for deliverance from wrongdoing.
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
Peter teaches Christians to respond to evil with blessings, aligning with the calling to inherit blessings rather than perpetuating a cycle of revenge.
Luke 6:27-28
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Jesus’ words challenge believers to display radical love by blessing and praying for those who mistreat them, transforming enmity through love.
Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.'”
Proverbs warns against the tit-for-tat mentality, emphasizing the importance of breaking the cycle of revenge.
Leviticus 19:18
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
Leviticus emphasizes the fundamental principle of love and the prohibition of vengeance among God’s people.
Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”
Reiterating the importance of waiting on the Lord for justice, this proverb discourages hasty retaliation.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Jesus’ teaching challenges believers to love and pray for their enemies, fostering a spirit of reconciliation.
Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
This proverb advises responding to enemies with kindness, which may lead to repentance and divine reward.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
The Apostle Paul encourages believers to pursue goodness even when faced with evil, promoting a transformative response.
Deuteronomy 32:35
“Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.”
This verse underscores God’s role as the ultimate avenger, assuring that divine justice will prevail in due time.
Luke 17:3-4
“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiving those who genuinely repent, reinforcing the Christian duty to extend mercy.
Romans 12:17
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”
Paul instructs believers to prioritize honorable actions rather than seeking retaliation.
Proverbs 24:17-18
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased and turn away his anger from him.”
This proverb warns against deriving pleasure from the misfortune of enemies, urging believers to maintain a compassionate heart.
Colossians 3:13
“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Paul emphasizes the Christian responsibility to forgive, drawing inspiration from the forgiveness believers have received from the Lord.
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Jesus underscores the reciprocal nature of forgiveness, highlighting the correlation between forgiving others and receiving divine forgiveness.
James 1:19-20
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
James advises believers to exercise patience and restraint in response to wrongdoing, recognizing that human anger does not align with God’s righteousness.
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”
Jesus teaches the limitless nature of forgiveness, urging believers to extend mercy consistently.
Psalm 103:10-12
“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
The psalmist celebrates God’s merciful nature, emphasizing the vastness of His love and the forgiveness that separates our sins from us.
Matthew 5:46-48
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Jesus challenges believers to transcend societal norms, loving even those who may not reciprocate, echoing the perfection found in God’s love.
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Paul encourages believers to conquer the influence of evil by responding with goodness, promoting a transformative and redemptive approach.
Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”
Acknowledging the inevitability of anger, this verse advises resolving conflicts promptly to prevent the negative consequences associated with prolonged resentment.
Luke 6:35-36
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Jesus sets a high standard, urging believers to imitate God’s kindness and mercy by loving even those who may seem ungrateful or evil.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Jesus highlights the importance of pursuing peace, positioning peacemakers as true children of God.
Proverbs 19:11
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Proverbs extols the virtue of wisdom in maintaining a calm disposition, finding glory in choosing to overlook offenses.
1 Corinthians 6:7
“To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?”
Paul questions the wisdom of engaging in legal disputes among believers, suggesting a willingness to endure personal wrongs for the sake of unity.
Matthew 18:15
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
Jesus provides a practical approach to resolving conflicts, emphasizing direct communication and reconciliation.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.”
Paul concludes by highlighting the fruit of the Spirit, underlining the transformative power of divine influence in fostering a spirit of forgiveness, kindness, and self-control.
In exploring these Bible verses about revenge, the overarching message emphasizes forgiveness, love for enemies, and trust in God’s ultimate justice. Believers are called to break the cycle of retaliation, responding to evil with goodness and relying on God’s guidance for reconciliation and redemption.
Also Read: Powerful Forgive And Forget Bible Verse (With Biblical Interpretations)