18 Bible Verses about Cowardice
Most Relevant Verses
nevertheless there were many even among the chief rulers, who believed on him; but they did not own it publickly for fear the Pharisees should excommunicate them. for they preferr'd their own reputation to the glory of God.
his parents said this, because they were afraid of the Jews: for the Jews had agreed in this, that if any man did own him for the Messias, he should be excommunicated. it was this made his parents say, "he is of age, ask him."
after this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but for fear of the Jews a conceal'd one, pray'd Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave: so he went and took the body of Jesus.
The same day at evening, being the first day of the week, the doors of the house where the disciples were, being shut, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, peace be with you.
he would have put him to death, but for fear of the people, who reckoned him a prophet.
but if we say, it was merely human, we are obnoxious to the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
but all this was to be done, in pursuance of what the prophets had predicted. then all the disciples abandon'd him, and fled.
In the mean time Peter was sitting without in the court: and a servant maid came to him, and said, you likewise was one of Jesus the Galilean's comrades. but he denied it before them all, saying, I know nothing of the matter. and when he was going out at the porch, another maid saw him, and said to those that were by, this fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.read more.
but he denied it again, and swore I don't know the man. soon after they that stood by coming up, said to Peter, certainly you are one of them, for thy speech bewrays thee. then he fell to solemn imprecations, and swore, "I don't know the man." and immediately the cock crew:
In the mean time Peter was in the entry of the hall, where one of the maids belonging to the high priest came: and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked earnestly upon him, and said, you too was with Jesus the Nazarene. but he denied it, saying, I don't know him, neither am I acquainted with any such you mention. and he went out into the porch, when the cock crow'd.read more.
the maid saw him a second time, and said to the standers-by, this is one of them: but he denied it again. a little time after, they that stood by, still urg'd Peter, saying, you are certainly one of his disciples, for your speech shows you to be a Galilean. but he fell a cursing, and swore, I don't know the man you mention,
but he renounc'd Jesus, saying, woman, I don't know him. a little while after another seeing him, said, you are even one of them. but Peter said to him, man, I am not. about an hour after another confidently affirm'd, saying, this fellow was certainly with him; for he too is a Galilean.read more.
Peter reply'd, man, I don't know what you would say, and immediately while he was yet speaking, the cock crew.
Simon Peter followed Jesus, with another disciple, who being known to the high priest, was admitted into his palace at the same time with Jesus, whilst Peter stood without at the door. but that other disciple, who was known to the high priest went out, and spoke to her that kept the door, who let Peter in. then said the damsel, that kept the door, to Peter, are you also one of this man's disciples? I am not, said he.read more.
now the servants and officers that were there, had made a coal-fire, for it was cold, to warm themselves: and Peter stood warming himself among them.
as Simon Peter then stood there warming himself: they said to him, art not thou also one of his disciples? which he denied, and said, I am not. one of the servants of the high priest, kinsman to him whose ear Peter struck off, said, did not I see thee in the garden with him? but Peter denied this too, and immediately the cock crew.
then the Gadarenes of the adjacent parts unanimously desired him to leave their country: for they were greatly allarm'd. so he embark'd to cross over the lake.
for till certain Jews came thither from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, for fear of those, who were for circumcision:
but before all these events, they will seize upon you and persecute you, drag you to the synagogues and to prisons, being accused before kings and governours, for professing my name. and that shall be one proof of the truth of your profession. fix it therefore in your mind, not to think beforehand about your defence.read more.
for I will make you speak with such strength of argument, as all your adversaries shall not be able to contradict or withstand. you will be betrayed even by your very parents, and brethren, and kindred, and friends. nay, some of you they will prosecute even to death. you will be hated by all mankind for professing my name, however a single hair of your head shall not be lost. by your perseverance you will save your souls.
On the morrow, the rulers, senators, and doctors of the law, then at Jerusalem, assembled, with Annas the high priest, Caiphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the pontifical family. and having caused Peter and John to appear, they asked, by what influence, or by what authority have you done this?read more.
then Peter filled with the holy spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people, and senators of Israel, since we are this day to be examined about the cure of a cripple, and by what means he was recovered; be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you entirely recover'd.
but the fearful, and incredulous, the abominable, the murderer, the licentious, the poisoner, the idolater, and every lyar shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: this is the second death."
From Thematic Bible
Cowardice » Instances of » Peter, in denying the lord
In the mean time Peter was sitting without in the court: and a servant maid came to him, and said, you likewise was one of Jesus the Galilean's comrades. but he denied it before them all, saying, I know nothing of the matter. and when he was going out at the porch, another maid saw him, and said to those that were by, this fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. read more.
but he denied it again, and swore I don't know the man. soon after they that stood by coming up, said to Peter, certainly you are one of them, for thy speech bewrays thee. then he fell to solemn imprecations, and swore, "I don't know the man." and immediately the cock crew:
In the mean time Peter was in the entry of the hall, where one of the maids belonging to the high priest came: and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked earnestly upon him, and said, you too was with Jesus the Nazarene. but he denied it, saying, I don't know him, neither am I acquainted with any such you mention. and he went out into the porch, when the cock crow'd. read more.
the maid saw him a second time, and said to the standers-by, this is one of them: but he denied it again. a little time after, they that stood by, still urg'd Peter, saying, you are certainly one of his disciples, for your speech shows you to be a Galilean. but he fell a cursing, and swore, I don't know the man you mention, and the cock crowed for the second time. then Peter calling to mind that expression of Jesus, "before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice," he cover'd his head and wept.
Then they seized him and carried him away to the high priest's house, and Peter followed at a distance. now as they had made a fire in the middle of the hall, and people were sitting all round it, Peter too sat down among them. but one of the servants seeing him by the fire, star'd him in the face, and said, this man was with him too. read more.
but he renounc'd Jesus, saying, woman, I don't know him. a little while after another seeing him, said, you are even one of them. but Peter said to him, man, I am not. about an hour after another confidently affirm'd, saying, this fellow was certainly with him; for he too is a Galilean. Peter reply'd, man, I don't know what you would say, and immediately while he was yet speaking, the cock crew.
whilst Peter stood without at the door. but that other disciple, who was known to the high priest went out, and spoke to her that kept the door, who let Peter in. then said the damsel, that kept the door, to Peter, are you also one of this man's disciples? I am not, said he.
as Simon Peter then stood there warming himself: they said to him, art not thou also one of his disciples? which he denied, and said, I am not.
Cowardice » Cowardice, examples of » Israel before goliath
Cowardice » Cowardice, examples of » The ten spies
Cowardice » Instances of » The disciples » When they saw jesus walking on the sea
so when they had rowed about five and twenty, or thirty furlongs, seeing Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh to the ship, they were frightned.
for they all saw him, and were greatly terrified. but at the instant Jesus spoke to them, and said, take courage, it is I, don't be afraid.
Cowardice » Instances of » The disciples » During the storm at sea
and he answer'd, why are you afraid, o incredulous people? then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
but to his disciples he said, where is your faith? while they, seiz'd with fear and admiration, said to one another, who can this man be, that he commands even the winds, and the waves, and they obey?
whilst Jesus was at the stern, asleep on a pillow: upon which they awak'd him, crying out, master, have you so little concern to let us sink? then he rose,
Cowardice » Instances of » The israelites » In fearing to attempt the conquest of canaan
Cowardice » Instances of » Abraham, in calling his wife his sister
Cowardice » Cowardice, examples of » David at the time of absalom's rebellion
Cowardice » Instances of » The ten spies
Cowardice » Cowardice, examples of » The disciples
but all this was to be done, in pursuance of what the prophets had predicted. then all the disciples abandon'd him, and fled.
Cowardice » Instances of » Canaanites
Cowardice » Instances of » Pilate, in condemning jesus, through fear of the people
upon this, Pilate propos'd to release him: but the Jews cried out, if you let this man go, you are not Cesar's friend: he that sets up for king, opposes Cesar. Pilate therefore hearing them talk at this rate, order'd Jesus to be brought forth, and then sat down in a place of Mosaic work on his tribunal, in Syriac call'd Gabbatha. it was then about the sixth hour of the day before the sabbath of the passover: and he said to the Jews, behold your king. read more.
but they cried out, away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate said to them, shall I crucify your king? the chief priests answered, we have no king but Cesar. upon which he delivered him up to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took Jesus and led him away.
Cowardice » Instances of » Early converts among the rulers
nevertheless there were many even among the chief rulers, who believed on him; but they did not own it publickly for fear the Pharisees should excommunicate them. for they preferr'd their own reputation to the glory of God.
Cowardice » Instances of » David, in fleeing from absalom
Cowardice » Instances of » Ephraimites and manassehites
Cowardice » Instances of » Aaron, in yielding to the israelites, when they demanded an idol
Cowardice » Cowardice, examples of » The followers of gideon
Cowardice » Cowardice, examples of » Ephraim
Cowardice » Instances of » Peter and other Christians, at antioch (of syria)
But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, for he was to be blamed. for till certain Jews came thither from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, for fear of those, who were for circumcision: and the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him, insomuch that Barnabas himself was carried away with their hypocrisy. read more.
but when I saw, they conformed not their conduct to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all: if you being a Jew, live after the manner of the Gentiles, and not according to that of the Jews, why do you constrain the Gentiles to judaize?
Cowardice » Instances of » The israelites » To fight with the philistines
Cowardice » Instances of » Joseph of arimathaea, secretly a disciple
after this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but for fear of the Jews a conceal'd one, pray'd Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave: so he went and took the body of Jesus.
Cowardice » Instances of » Nicodemus, in coming to jesus by night
Now one of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, was there, a ruler of the Jews: who came to Jesus by night, and said to him, rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher sent from God: for no man can perform the miracles that you do, except God be with him.
Cowardice » Instances of » Isaac, in calling his wife his sister
Cowardice » Instances of » Amoritish kings
Cowardice » Instances of » The israelites » To meet goliath
Cowardice » Instances of » Samuel, fearing to obey God's command to anoint a king in saul's place
Cowardice » Instances of » Parents of the blind man, who was restored to sight
his parents said this, because they were afraid of the Jews: for the Jews had agreed in this, that if any man did own him for the Messias, he should be excommunicated.
Cowardice » Instances of » Jacob, in flying from laban
Cowardice » Instances of » The philippian jailer
the jayler waking, and seeing the prison-doors open, drew his sword, designing to dispatch himself from the apprehension that the prisoners had escaped.
Cowardice » Instances of » The disciples » When jesus was apprehended
but all this was to be done, in pursuance of what the prophets had predicted. then all the disciples abandon'd him, and fled.


