29 Bible Verses about Martyrdom

Most Relevant Verses

Acts 22:20

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.’

Revelation 2:13

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.

Revelation 20:4

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.

Luke 11:51

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.

Hebrews 11:34

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.

Psalm 116:13

I will take the cup of salvation
and call on the name of Yahweh.

From Thematic Bible


Martyrdom » Instances of » The prophets

Matthew 23:35

So all the righteous blood shed on the earth will be charged to you, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.

1 Thessalonians 2:15

who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us; they displease God and are hostile to everyone,

Matthew 22:6

And the others seized his slaves, treated them outrageously and killed them.

Romans 11:3

Lord, they have killed Your prophets
and torn down Your altars.
I am the only one left,
and they are trying to take my life!

Hebrews 11:32-37

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

Acts 9:1

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest

1 Kings 19:10

He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Hosts, but the Israelites have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.”

Martyrdom » Saints » Forewarned of

Martyrdom » The apostacy guilty of inflicting

Revelation 18:24

and the blood of prophets and saints,
and of all those slaughtered on earth,
was found in you.

Martyrdom » Inflicted at the instigation of the devil

Revelation 2:13

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.

Martyrdom » Reward of

Martyrdom » Is death endured for the word of God, and testimony of Christ

Revelation 20:4

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.

Martyrdom » Saints » Should not fear

Martyrdom » Exemplified » Ahimelech and his fellow priests

1 Samuel 22:18-19

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

Matthew 16:24-25

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

Revelation 2:13

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.

Martyrdom » Exemplified » Urijah

Jeremiah 26:23

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

John 21:18-19

"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

Luke 11:50-51

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

2 Chronicles 24:21-22

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

Martyrdom » Instances of » Prophets killed by jezebel

1 Kings 18:13

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

Mark 6:18-28

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

Acts 7:58-60

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

Mark 6:27

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

Acts 7:58

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.

Martyrdom » Exemplified » James

Martyrdom » Instances of » Abel

Genesis 4:3-8

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

2 Timothy 4:6

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close.

Suffering for righteousness' sake » Martyrdom » General references to

Revelation 20:4

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.

Topics on Martyrdom

Martyrdom, Believers Attitude Towards

Matthew 10:21-22

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will even rise up against their parents and have them put to death.

Martyrdom, Qualities Of

Daniel 3:16-18

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question.

Martyrdom, Reasons For

Daniel 3:6

But whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.”

Never miss a post

Related Readings

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.