29 Bible Verses about Martyrdom
Most Relevant Verses
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the people slaughtered because of God’s word and the testimony they had.
So a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer until the number would be completed of their fellow slaves and their brothers, who were going to be killed just as they had been.
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing by and approving, and I guarded the clothes of those who killed him.’
I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is! And you are holding on to My name and did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness who was killed among you, where Satan lives.
They cried out with a loud voice: “Lord, the One who is holy and true, how long until You judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?”
Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the people who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of God’s word, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with the Messiah for 1,000 years.
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write: The dead who die in the Lord from now on are blessed.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “let them rest from their labors, for their works follow them!”
Then I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.
He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!”
Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.
And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor,
and if I give my body in order to boast
but do not have love, I gain nothing.
I said to him, “Sir, you know.”
Then he told me:
These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.
They washed their robes and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
The salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God
and the authority of His Messiah
have now come,
because the accuser of our brothers
has been thrown out:
the one who accuses them
before our God day and night.
Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.
“Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible.
But Stephen, filled by the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw God’s glory, with Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said,
But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed,
Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin!” And saying this, he fell asleep.
“Then they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name.
quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.
From Thematic Bible
Martyrdom » Instances of » The prophets
who killed both the Lord Jesus
and torn down Your altars.
I am the only one left,
and they are trying to take my life!
And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. read more.
Women received their dead raised to life again. Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection, and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated.
Martyrdom » Exemplified
unlike Cain,
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”
and took 100 prophets and hid them, 50 men to a cave, and provided them with food and water when Jezebel
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples
He replied, “I have been very zealous
Martyrdom » Saints » Forewarned of
Martyrdom » The apostacy guilty of inflicting
Then I saw that the woman was drunk on the blood of the saints and on the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.
and of all those slaughtered on earth,
was found in you.
Martyrdom » Inflicted at the instigation of the devil
Martyrdom » Reward of
So a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer until the number would be completed of their fellow slaves and their brothers, who were going to be killed just as they had been.
Martyrdom » Is death endured for the word of God, and testimony of Christ
Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge.
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the people
Martyrdom » Saints » Should not fear
Martyrdom » Exemplified » Ahimelech and his fellow priests
So the king said to Doeg, "Go and execute the priests!" So Doeg the Edomite went and executed the priests himself. On that day, he killed 85 men who wore linen ephods. He also struck down Nob, the city of the priests, with the sword-both men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
Martyrdom » Saints » Should be prepared for
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it.
Martyrdom » Exemplified » Antipas
Martyrdom » Exemplified » Urijah
They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who executed him with the sword and threw his corpse into the burial place of the common people.
Martyrdom » Exemplified » Peter
"I assure you: When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don't want to go." He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, "Follow Me!"
Martyrdom » Of saints, shall be avenged
so that this generation may be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world - from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. "Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible.
Martyrdom » Instances of » Zechariah
But they conspired against him and stoned him at the king's command in the courtyard of the Lord's temple. King Joash didn't remember the kindness that Zechariah's father Jehoiada had extended to him, but killed his son. While he was dying, he said, "May the Lord see and demand an account."
Martyrdom » Saints » Should resist sin unto
In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Martyrdom » Instances of » Prophets killed by jezebel
and took 100 prophets and hid them, 50 men to a cave, and provided them with food and water when Jezebel
Wasn’t it reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel slaughtered the Lord’s prophets? I hid 100 of the prophets of the Lord, 50 men to a cave, and I provided them with food and water.
Martyrdom » Instances of » John the baptist
John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife!" So Herodias held a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not, because Herod was in awe of John and was protecting him, knowing he was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him he would be very disturbed, yet would hear him gladly. read more.
Now an opportune time came on his birthday, when Herod gave a banquet for his nobles, military commanders, and the leading men of Galilee. When Herodias' own daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I'll give it to you." So he swore oaths to her: "Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half my kingdom." Then she went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" "John the Baptist's head!" she said. Immediately she hurried to the king and said, "I want you to give me John the Baptist's head on a platter-right now!" Though the king was deeply distressed, because of his oaths and the guests he did not want to refuse her. The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John's head. So he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.
Martyrdom » Instances of » Stephen
They threw him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They were stoning Stephen as he called out: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin!" And saying this, he fell asleep.
Martyrdom » Exemplified » John the baptist
The king immediately sent for an executioner and commanded him to bring John’s head. So he went and beheaded him in prison,
Martyrdom » Exemplified » Stephen
They threw him out of the city and began to stone
Martyrdom » Exemplified » James
Martyrdom » Instances of » Abel
In the course of time Cain presented some of the land's produce as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also presented [an offering]-some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he was downcast. read more.
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you furious? And why are you downcast? If you do right, won't you be accepted? But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it." Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Martyrdom » Instances of » James the apostle
Sacrifices » Illustrative of » Martyrdom
by assuming the form of a slave,
taking on the likeness of men.
And when He had come as a man
in His external form,
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,
Suffering for righteousness' sake » Martyrdom » General references to
Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
and if I give my body in order to boast
but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge.
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the people
Topics on Martyrdom
Martyrdom Of The Saints
Matthew 10:21Martyrdom, Believers Attitude Towards
Matthew 10:21-22Martyrdom, Examples Of
Genesis 4:8Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”
Martyrdom, Qualities Of
Daniel 3:16-18Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question.
Martyrdom, Reasons For
Daniel 3:6But whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.”