What does the Bible say

What Does the Bible Say About Revenge?

The Bible tells us clearly not to take revenge, but to leave justice to God, who judges rightly. It commands us to overcome evil with good rather than repaying evil for evil, freeing us from the exhausting burden of settling every score ourselves. Releasing revenge is not letting evil win; it is trusting a just God to do what only he can.

What Scripture says

Here are real verses on revenge, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.Romans 12:19 (KJV)

Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath, for vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.Romans 12:17 (KJV)

Recompense to no man evil for evil.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.Romans 12:21 (KJV)

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.Proverbs 20:22 (KJV)

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.Matthew 5:39 (KJV)

Resist not evil; whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn the other also.

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.1 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

Not rendering evil for evil, but contrariwise blessing.

What this means for you today

Revenge feels like justice, but it usually just multiplies the harm and chains us to the very wound we want to escape. Scripture lifts that weight by handing judgment to God, who alone sees fully and judges fairly.

Releasing revenge does not mean pretending no wrong was done or refusing all lawful justice. It means refusing personal payback and trusting God with the final account, which frees your own heart from bitterness.

The deepest answer is Jesus

Jesus, reviled, did not revile back but entrusted himself to God who judges justly, and from the cross prayed for his enemies; he shows us another way.

Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.

This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.

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