9 Bible Verses about Politics

And so Pilate, willing to content the people, loosed them Barabbas; And delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, for to be crucified.

And Pilate called together the high priests, and the rulers, and the people, and said unto them, "Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverted the people. And behold, I have examined him before you, and have found no fault in this man, of those things whereof ye accuse him. No, nor yet Herod. For I sent you to him: and lo, nothing worthy of death is done to him. read more.
I will therefore chasten him, and let him loose." For of necessity, he must have let one loose unto them at that feast. And all the people cried at once, saying, "Away with him, and deliver to us Barabbas: which for insurrection made in the city, and murder, was cast into prison." Pilate spake again to them, willing to let Jesus loose. And they cried, saying, "Crucify him; Crucify him." He said unto them the third time, "What evil hath he done? I find no cause of death in him. I will therefore chasten him, and let him go loose." And they cried with loud voice, and required that he might be crucified. And the voice of them and of the high priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required, and let loose unto them, him that for insurrection, and murder, was cast into prison, whom they desired: and delivered Jesus to do with him what they would.

Then said the deputy, "What evil hath he done?" And they cried the more saying, "Let him be crucified." When Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but that more business was made, he took water and washed his hands before the people saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person: see ye thereto." Then answered all the people, and said, "His blood be on us, and on our children." read more.
Then let he Barabbas loose unto them, and scourged Jesus, and delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the deputy took Jesus unto the common hall, and gathered unto him all the company.

Pilate said unto him, "What thing is truth?" And when he had said that, he went out again unto the Jews, and said unto them, "I find in him no cause at all. Ye have a custom among you, that I should deliver you one loose at Easter. Will ye that I loose unto you the King of the Jews?"

Pilate went forth again, and said unto them, "Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him." Then came Jesus forth wearing a crown of thorns and a robe of purple. And Pilate said unto them, "Behold the man." When the high priests and ministers saw him, they cried, saying, "Crucify him, crucify him." Pilate said unto them, Take ye him and crucify him: For I find no cause in him. read more.
The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by our law he ought to die: because he made himself the son of God." When Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, and went again into the judgment hall, and said unto Jesus, "Whence art thou?" But Jesus gave him none answer. Then said Pilate unto him, "Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to loose thee?" Jesus answered, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given unto thee from above. Therefore he that delivered me unto thee, is more in sin." And from thenceforth sought Pilate means to loose him: but the Jews cried, saying, "If thou let him go, thou art not Caesar's friend. For whosoever maketh himself a King, is against Caesar." When Pilate heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down to give sentence, in a place called the pavement: But in the Hebrew tongue, Gabbatha.

For Herod had taken John and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, "It is not lawful for thee to have her." And when he would have put him to death, he feared the people, because they counted him as a prophet. read more.
But when Herod's birthday was come, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Wherefore he promised with an oath, that he would give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being informed of her mother before, said, "Give me here John Baptist's head in a platter." And the King sorrowed: nevertheless for his oath's sake, and for their sakes, which sat also at the table, he commanded it to be given her. And sent and beheaded John in the prison, and his head was brought in a platter, and given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother.

For Herod himself had sent forth, and had taken John, and bound him and cast him into prison for Herodias' sake, which was his brother Philip's wife. For he had married her. John said unto Herod, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife." Herodias laid wait for him, and would have killed him, but she could not. read more.
For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man, and a holy, and gave him reverence; And when he heard him he did many things, and heard him gladly. But when a convenient day was come: Herod on his birthday made a supper to the Lords, captains, and chief estates of Galilee. And the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat at board also. Then the king said unto the maiden, "Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee." And he sware unto her, "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, even unto the one half of my kingdom." And she went forth and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "John Baptist's head." And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, "I will, that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John Baptist." And the king was sorry. Yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat at supper also, he would not put her beside her purpose. And immediately the king sent the hangman and commanded his head to be brought in. And he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a charger and gave it to the maiden, and the maiden gave it to her mother.

And behold, Zadok and all the Levites were with him and bare the ark of the covenant of God. And when they had fetched down the Ark of God, Abiathar came up, until the people were all come over, out of the city. Then said the king unto Zadok, "Carry the Ark of God again into the city. If I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and show me both it and the tabernacle thereof also. But and if the Lord thus say - 'I have no pleasure in thee' - behold, here am I, let him do with me what seemeth best in his eyes." read more.
The king said also unto Zadok the priest, "Thou art a seer; return therefore into the city in peace. And take your two sons with you: Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. And see, I will tarry in the fields of the wilderness until there come some word from you to be told me." And so Zadok and Abiathar carried the Ark of God again to Jerusalem, and they tarried there.

Then cried a wise woman out of the city, "Hear! Hear! Bid, I pray you, Joab that he come hither, that I may speak with him." When Joab was come the woman said, "Art thou Joab?" And Joab answered, "That am I." And she said to him, "Hear the words of thy handmaid." And he said, "I am ready to hear." And she said, "It hath been a common saying in the old time: 'Men must ask of Abel, and then go and finish the work.' read more.
Abel is one of the quietest and faithfullest cities that are in Israel. And thou goest about to destroy a city that is as a mother in Israel. Why devourest thou the inheritance of the LORD?" And Joab answered and said, "God forbid! God forbid it me, that I should either devour or destroy it. The matter is not so: But there is a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, which hath lifted up his hand against king David. Deliver us him only, and I will depart from the city." And the woman said unto Joab, "Behold, his head shall be thrown through the wall to thee." And then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they smote off the head of Sheba son of Bichri, and cast it to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they scattered from the city every man to his tent, and Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

Whereupon Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, "Hast thou not heard how that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, unwitting unto our master David? Now therefore come, that I may give thee counsel how to save thine own life and the life of thy son Solomon. Go and get thee unto king David, and say unto him, 'Didst thou not, my lord king, sware unto thy handmaid saying: Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my seat? Why, then, is Adonijah made king?' read more.
And see, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I will come in after thee and will end thy words." And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber. And the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto him. And Bathsheba stooped and made obeisance unto the king. And the king said, "What is thy matter?" And she answered and said, "My lord, thou hast sworn by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, 'Solomon thy son shall reign after me and he shall sit upon my seat.' But now see, Adonijah is king and thou my lord king knowest it not. And he hath offered oxen, fatlings and sheep abundantly, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the Host. But Solomon thy servant hath he not bidden. And now, my lord king, the eyes of all Israel wait on thee, to tell them who shall sit on the seat of my lord the king after him. For else when my lord the king is laid to rest with his fathers, I and my son Solomon shall be sinners." And behold, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet was come. And they told the king, saying, "Here cometh Nathan the prophet." And when he was come before the king, he made obeisance unto the king upon his face unto the ground, and said, "My lord king, hast thou said, 'Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my seat?' For he is gone down this day and hath offered oxen, fatlings and sheep abundantly, and hath called all the king's sons and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest. And see, they eat and drink before him and say, 'God save king Adonijah.' But me, thy servant, and Zadok the priest and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon he hath not called. Is this thing done of my lord the king and yet wouldest not show me thy servant, who should sit on the seat of my lord the king after him?" Then king David answered, and said, "Call me Bathsheba." And she came in and stood before him. And the king sware, saying, "As sure as the LORD, that hath rid my soul out of all adversity, liveth: even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying 'Solomon shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my seat for me,' so will I do this day." And Bathsheba bowed on her face to the earth and did obeisance unto the king, and said, "I pray God my lord king David may live ever." Then said king David, "Call me Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada." And when they came before the king, the king said unto them, "Take with you the servants of your lord, and set Solomon my son upon mine own mule and carry him down to Gihon. And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there, to be king over Israel. And then blow ye with a trumpet and say, 'God save king Solomon.' And then come up after him, and let him come and sit upon my seat. For he shall be king in my stead. And him I have commanded to be captain over Israel and Judah." And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, "Amen, and so I pray God that the LORD God of my lord the king say so too. And as the LORD hath been with my lord the king, even so I pray God he may be with Solomon, and that he make his seat greater than the seat of my lord king David." And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and the Cherethites and Pelethites went down, and set Solomon upon king David's mule and led him to Gihon. And Zadok the priest took a horn of oil out of the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. And they blew a trumpet, and they all said, "God save king Solomon!" And all the people came up after him piping with pipes and rejoicing greatly, so that the earth rang with the sound of them.

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, "What wilt thou have?" She said unto him, "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand in thy kingdom." Jesus answered, and said, "Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of? And to be baptised with the baptism, that I shall be baptised with?" They answered to him, "That we are." read more.
And he said unto them, "Ye shall drink of my cup, and shall be baptised with the baptism that I shall be baptised with. But to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give you: but to them for whom it is prepared of my father."

And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber. And the king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto him. And Bathsheba stooped and made obeisance unto the king. And the king said, "What is thy matter?" And she answered and said, "My lord, thou hast sworn by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, 'Solomon thy son shall reign after me and he shall sit upon my seat.' read more.
But now see, Adonijah is king and thou my lord king knowest it not. And he hath offered oxen, fatlings and sheep abundantly, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the Host. But Solomon thy servant hath he not bidden. And now, my lord king, the eyes of all Israel wait on thee, to tell them who shall sit on the seat of my lord the king after him. For else when my lord the king is laid to rest with his fathers, I and my son Solomon shall be sinners."

And thereto he used to rise up early in the mornings and to stand by the wayside that led to the gate of the city. And all the men of Israel that had complaints and came to the king for judgment, he called unto him, and said, "Of what city art thou?" And when the other answered, "thy servant is of such a tribe of Israel," then said Absalom unto him, "See, thy matter is good and righteous, and yet no man is deputed of the king to hear thee." Then Absalom said moreover, "Oh, that I were a judge in the land, and that all men which have pleas and matter in the law, should come to me. For I would do them justice." read more.
And also when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took him to him and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment; and therewith stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

Wherefore the princes and lords sought to pick out in Daniel some quarrel against the kingdom: yet could they find none occasion nor fault upon him. For why? He was so faithful, that there was no blame nor dishonesty found in him. Then said these men, "We will get no quarrel against this Daniel, except it be in the law of his God." Upon this, went the princes and lords together unto the king, and said thus unto him, "King Darius, God save thy life forever. read more.
All the great estates of the realm - as the princes, dukes, senators and judges - are determined to put out a commandment of the king, and to make a sure statute. Namely, that whoso desireth any petition, either of any god or man within this thirty days, except it be only of thee, O king: the same person may be cast into the lions' den. Wherefore, O king, confirm thou this statute, and make a writing: that the thing which the Medes and Persians have ordained be not altered nor broken." So Darius made the writing, and confirmed it. Now when Daniel understood that the writing was made, he went into his house: and the windows of his hall toward Jerusalem stood open. There kneeled he down upon his knees, three times a day: there he made his petition, and praised his God, like as his manner was to do afore time. Then these men made search, and found Daniel making his petition and praying unto his God. So they came to the king, and spake before him concerning his commandment, saying, "O king, hast thou not subscribed the statute, that within thirty days whoso requireth his petition of any god or man, but only of thyself, O king, he shall be cast into the den of the lions?" The king answered, and said, "It is true. It must be as a law of the Medes and Persians, that may not be broken." Then answered they, and said unto the king, "Daniel one of the prisoners of Judah, O king, regardeth neither thee nor thy statute that thou hast made, but maketh his petition three times a day." When the king heard these words, he was sore grieved, and would have excused Daniel, to deliver him, and put off the matter until the sun went down, to the intent that he might save him. These men, perceiving the king's mind, said unto him, "Know this, O king: that the law of the Medes and Persians is, that the commandment and statute which the king maketh, may not be altered."

The ungodly walk on every side; when they are exalted, the children of men are put to rebuke.