“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
Bible Verses About Forgiving Criminals
1. Matthew 18:21-22 – A reminder of the importance of forgiving endlessly.
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times!'” – Matthew 18:21-22
2. Luke 6:37 – We are called to judge less and be forgiving towards others.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
3. Colossians 3:13 – Emphasizes the need to forgive as the Lord forgave us.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
4. Ephesians 4:32 – We are encouraged to be compassionate and forgiving.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
5. Matthew 5:7 – A blessing is promised for the merciful.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
6. Mark 11:25 – Forgiveness is connected to our prayers being answered.
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25
7. Luke 23:34 – Jesus set the ultimate example of forgiveness even in pain.
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'” – Luke 23:34
8. Romans 12:19 – Trust in God’s justice while choosing forgiveness.
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” – Romans 12:19
9. 1 John 1:9 – God’s promise to forgive if we confess our sins.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
10. Proverbs 17:9 – Forgiving others is linked to harmony in relationships.
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
11. Acts 7:60 – Stephen demonstrated forgiveness in his final moments.
“Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” – Acts 7:60
12. Matthew 6:15 – The consequences of not forgiving others.
“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:15
13. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 – Encouragement to forgive to avoid Satan’s schemes.
“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven, I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” – 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
14. Galatians 6:1 – Guidance on correcting those who have erred with a spirit of gentleness.
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” – Galatians 6:1
15. Psalm 103:12 – The magnitude of God’s forgiveness for our sins.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12
16. Matthew 12:31 – The seriousness of blasphemy against the Spirit.
“And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” – Matthew 12:31
17. Matthew 9:2 – Jesus forgave the paralyzed man before healing him.
“Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.'” – Matthew 9:2
18. Isaiah 43:25 – God’s promise of forgiveness for our sake.
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” – Isaiah 43:25
19. Luke 15:20-24 – The story of the Prodigal Son illustrates forgiveness.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20
20. James 5:16 – Confession and forgiveness promote healing.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” – James 5:16
21. Psalm 32:1-2 – The joy of forgiveness.
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” – Psalm 32:1-2
22. Matthew 7:1-2 – Encouraging us to be cautious about judgment.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:1-2
23. John 8:7 – Judging others can hinder our ability to forgive.
“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.'” – John 8:7
24. Philippians 2:3 – Pursue humility while forgiving others.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
25. 1 Peter 3:9 – Encouragement to repay evil with a blessing.
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9
26. Matthew 28:19-20 – Spreading the message of forgiveness.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19-20
27. 1 John 4:20 – Love and forgiveness are intertwined.
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.” – 1 John 4:20
28. Genesis 50:20 – God can turn evil intentions into good.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” – Genesis 50:20
29. 2 Timothy 2:24 – Emphasizes the need for gentle correction.
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” – 2 Timothy 2:24
30. Isaiah 55:7 – A call to the wicked to abandon their ways.
“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7
31. 1 Chronicles 16:34 – God’s goodness endures, and His mercy is everlasting.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – 1 Chronicles 16:34
32. John 3:17 – Jesus came to save the world, not condemn it.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:17
33. Galatians 5:13 – Freedom in forgiving others.
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
34. Matthew 5:23-24 – Reconciliation before offering gifts to God.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24
35. Hebrews 8:12 – God’s promise of forgiving our sins.
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12
36. Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away anger.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
37. Micah 7:18 – God delights in showing mercy.
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” – Micah 7:18
38. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 – God will repay those who cause trouble.
“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:6
39. Job 42:10 – Restoration comes after forgiveness.
“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” – Job 42:10
40. Jude 1:22-23 – Have mercy on those who doubt.
“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear.” – Jude 1:22-23
Final Thoughts
Forgiving others, including criminals, can feel overwhelming, yet it truly brings us closer to God’s grace. As we’ve explored various Bible verses, it’s evident that forgiveness is not just about the act itself but the intent behind it. These verses remind us to imitate Jesus’ example of forgiveness, regardless of how hard it may seem. We acknowledge that seeking justice is important, but harboring resentment can be even more damaging to ourselves. By choosing to forgive, we embrace healing and freedom, allowing us to live a life reflective of God’s mercy.
As we work on embracing forgiveness, let’s also remember it’s a way to nurture our souls and grow in love. Whether discussing forgiveness or finding strength, there’s always more to explore in our faith journey. I encourage you to read more about communication with others or mental health to enhance your understanding of how to interact gracefully with others. There’s always something meaningful waiting within the pages of scripture.