Bible Capital Punishment

Bible On Capital Punishment

What does the Bible say about capital punishment?

In the Bible, Jesus was asked this question regarding a crime for which the law of the land prescribed capital punishment:

"Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" (John 8:3-5)

The Bible records Jesus responding not by addressing the woman's guilt, but the right, or the lack thereof, of sinners to carry out capital punishment:

"So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last." (John 8:7-9)

The Bible states that the woman called Jesus "Lord" and even after her last accuser left, remained, which expresses her contrition, and the lack of capital punishment gave her the time to face, be forgiven and instructed by Christ:

"And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:9-11)

Per Jesus' words in the Bible, capital punishment may be carried out by those "without sin."