28 Bible Verses about Martyrdom

so that you maybe charg'd with all the innocent blood shed upon earth, from the blood of Abel the just, unto the blood of Zacharias, the son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

the very men who have persecuted the Lord Jesus, and the prophets even to death; who have persecuted us; they who are regardless of pleasing the deity, and are enemies to all mankind;

others seiz'd his servants, outrageously abused them, and slew them.

in these words, "Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I alone am left, and they seek my life also."

And what shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, of Barak, of Samson, of Jephthae, of David, of Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, practis'd justice, obtained what was promised, stopped the mouths of lions, were proof against the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, show'd their resolution in distress, and their valour in fight, putting to flight the armies of the aliens. read more.
women recovered their children, tho' dead, by their being raised to life again: some expired under torments, refusing to be delivered; that they might obtain a better deliverance at the resurrection. others suffer'd cruel indignities and scourgings, besides chains and imprisonment. they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandred about in sheepskins, and goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented:

not acting like Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother: but why did he slay him? because his own actions were evil, and his brother's were virtuous.

Saul still breathing out nothing but threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,

then shall they deliver you up to torments, and to death: and ye shall be hated by all nations upon my account.

they shall expel you out of the synagogues: yea, the time is coming, when it will be thought an agreeable sacrifice to God for any one to take away your lives.

then the brother shall betray his brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against their parents, and be the instruments of their death.

and I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondred with great admiration.

here it was, that the blood of the prophets, of the saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth, was found."

fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where the throne of satan is: thou maintainest my name, and hast not renounced your faith in me, even at a time when Antipas my faithful martyr was slain among you, where Satan dwells.

fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

and white robes were given to every one of them, and it was said unto them, that they should have patience yet for a little while, till the number of their fellow-servants, and their brethren, that should be killed, as they were, should be complete.

I saw likewise thrones, where persons were seated, to whom the power of judging was given: and I saw the souls of those that were beheaded for the testimony they had given to Jesus, and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast, nor his image, nor had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

When he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they maintain'd.

fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

fear not those who can only kill the body, but cannot hurt the soul: rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

Then addressing himself to his disciples, if any man, said he, would follow me, let him renounce himself, take up his cross, and so follow me. for whosoever will save himself, shall be a looser: and whosoever shall suffer loss for my sake, shall be a gainer.

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where the throne of satan is: thou maintainest my name, and hast not renounced your faith in me, even at a time when Antipas my faithful martyr was slain among you, where Satan dwells.

I tell you for certain, tho' when you was a youth you girded your self, and rambled where you had a mind: yet when you are old, your hands shall be stretch'd out, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee where you will be unwilling to go. this he said to signify to Peter by what death he should glorify God. and when he had spoken this, he said to him, follow me.

" so that the blood of all the prophets, which has been shed since the creation of the world, may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to that of Zacharias, who perished between the altar and the temple: yes, I assure you, this generation shall be responsible for it all.

You have not yet resisted unto death, striving against sin.

upon which John told him, "it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." which Herodias resented, and form'd a design against his life, but could not execute it; because Herod had a respect for John, knowing him to be a very honest good man, and therefore protected him; having reform'd many things upon his remonstrances, which he us'd to receive very graciously. read more.
however, a favourable opportunity happen'd for her, upon Herod's making an entertainment the birth-night, for all the great officers of the court, and army, and persons of the first distinction in Galilee. for Herodias made her appearance there, and danc'd with such an engaging air in the eye of Herod, as well as of all the company, that the king thus addrest himself to the young lady, "ask of me whatever you please, and it shall be granted." nay, he ratified his promise with an oath, "I will give you whatever you require, said he, tho' it be even the half of my kingdom." then she withdrew, and said to her mother, what shall I ask? the head of John the Baptist, said she. upon which she instantly fled to the king, and said, I desire to have John the Baptist's head brought hither immediately in a charger. at this the king was exceedingly concern'd; however, in regard to his oath, and to those who were at table with him, he would not refuse her; but immediately dispatch'd the proper officer with orders to bring the head of John the Baptist. accordingly he went, and beheaded him in the prison, and bringing the head in a charger, he presented it to the young lady, who gave it to her mother:

then they dragg'd him out of the city, and stoned him: the false witnesses having laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. Thus they stoned Stephen, while he was calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." and on his knees he cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." and having said this, he expired.

but immediately dispatch'd the proper officer with orders to bring the head of John the Baptist.

then they dragg'd him out of the city, and stoned him: the false witnesses having laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

he caus'd James the brother of John to be beheaded.

he caus'd James the brother of John to be beheaded.

by assuming the form of a servant: being made in the likeness of men,

as for me, my blood will soon be pour'd out, and the time of my departure draws nigh:

but Paul replied, what do you mean by afflicting me thus with your tears? I am not only ready to meet my chains, but even to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.

and tho' I distribute my whole substance to the poor, and give my body to be burned, and have not social affection, it profits me nothing.

I saw likewise thrones, where persons were seated, to whom the power of judging was given: and I saw the souls of those that were beheaded for the testimony they had given to Jesus, and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast, nor his image, nor had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

then the brother shall betray his brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against their parents, and be the instruments of their death.

When he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they maintain'd.