The fear of death is something that all people experience at some point in their lives. It’s a natural human emotion, but one that can also cause a lot of anxiety and worry. Fortunately, the Bible offers wisdom and comfort when it comes to facing our mortality.
In the verses that follow, you will learn 30 passages from the Bible that speak on the topic of the fear of death.
Whether you’re struggling with the loss of a loved one, facing a life-threatening illness, or simply reflecting on your own eventual death, these Bible verses can provide encouragement, perspective, and a reminder of God’s loving presence, even in the face of our greatest fears. As you read through them, may you find peace, comfort, and a renewed trust in the God who holds all of life, and all of eternity, in His hands.
30 Bible Verses on Fear of Death
- Psalm 23:4 (NIV) – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
- John 11:25-26 (ESV) – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'”
- 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
- Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV) – “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
- Philippians 1:21 (NIV) – “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (ESV) – “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Psalm 116:15 (NIV) – “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.”
- Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
- 1 John 4:18 (ESV) – “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
- Matthew 10:28 (NIV) – “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
- Psalm 27:1 (ESV) – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
- John 14:27 (NIV) – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
- Romans 14:8 (NIV) – “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
- Psalm 34:4 (NIV) – “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (ESV) – “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
- Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV) – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
- John 5:24 (ESV) – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
- Psalm 118:6 (NIV) – “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
- Revelation 21:4 (NIV) – “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
- Psalm 91:4-6 (NIV) – “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.”
- John 8:51 (ESV) – “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
- Psalm 23:1-4 (NIV) – “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
- Luke 12:4-5 (NIV) – “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.”
- Psalm 118:17-18 (NIV) – “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.”
- Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV) – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
- Psalm 73:26 (ESV) – “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
- John 14:1-3 (NIV) – “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
- Psalm 139:16 (NIV) – “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
- Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV) – “But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Conclusion
In the end, the Bible reminds us that while death is a reality we all must face, it does not have the final word. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can have the assurance of eternal life and the promise that death has been defeated. These verses offer hope, strength, and the comfort of knowing that God is with us, even in the darkest valley.
As you reflect on these passages, may they provide you with the courage to face your own mortality, and the peace of knowing that your life is secure in the hands of a loving God. Though we cannot avoid death, we can find hope in the eternal life that God offers to all who believe.
