31 Bible Verses About Wanting to Kill Your Enemies

When we wrestle with anger and vengeance toward those who hurt us, the Bible offers profound wisdom that often challenges our natural impulses. 

Scripture doesn’t shy away from addressing our darkest emotions—it meets us right where we are, in the messy reality of conflict and hatred. 

Throughout both the Old Testament and New Testament, we find passages that reflect humanity’s struggle with enemies, retaliation, and the deep desire for justice.

However, the teachings we encounter aren’t always what we expect. While ancient texts document warfare, battle, and combat against adversaries, they also reveal a transformative message about forgiveness, mercy, and love. 

The Psalms of David cry out with raw emotion, the Proverbs offer practical guidance, and Jesus introduces a radical approach that flips our understanding of opponents upside down.

This spiritual journey through verses about wanting to kill your foes ultimately leads us toward transformation rather than destruction.

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Bible Verses About Wanting to Kill Your Enemies

Psalm 35:1–3 – Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

Psalm 69:22–23 – Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

Psalm 109:6–7 – Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.

Matthew 5:44 – But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

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

Proverbs 24:17–18 – Rejoice not when thine enemy fillet, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbled: Lest the LORD see it, and it displeases him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

Luke 6:27–28 – But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Exodus 23:4–5 – If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. If thou see the ass of him that hadeeth thee lying under his burden, and wildest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

Proverbs 25:21–22 – If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

Romans 12:20 – Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Psalm 3:7 – Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

Psalm 7:9 – Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God triethyl the hearts and reins.

Matthew 5:39 – 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.

James 1:19–20 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Matthew 18:21–22 – Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saithe unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Psalm 18:47–48 – It is God that avenged me, and subdued the people under me. He delivered me from mine enemies: yea, thou leftist me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.

Romans 12:14 – Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Psalm 109:4–5 – For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

1 Samuel 24:12 – The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

Psalm 58:10–11 – The righteous shall rejoice when he seethe the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judged in the earth.

2 Timothy 4:14 – Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

Psalm 35:8 – Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

Matthew 5:38–39 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 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.

Luke 23:34 – Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Romans 12:21 – Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Psalm 37:1–2 – Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

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

Matthew 5:44 – But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

1 Corinthians 4:12–13 – And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

Proverbs 24:29 – Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.

Psalm 54:5 – He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.

Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Wanting to Kill Your Enemies

The Bible doesn’t pretend that wanting to harm your enemies is an unusual temptation. In fact, Scripture acknowledges this struggle with remarkable honesty, particularly in the Psalms where David and other writers express raw anger and even pleas for vengeance against adversaries. 

These passages validate our emotions while simultaneously pointing us toward a higher moral standard. 

The Old Testament contains verses reflecting historical and cultural contexts where warfare and retaliation were common, yet even there, we find boundaries and commandments against murder and unchecked hatred.

What’s fascinating is how the interpretation evolves from Old to New Testament, where Jesus and Christian doctrine challenge believers to transcend natural impulses. 

The commentary throughout Romans, Matthew, and Luke presents a perspective that seems almost impossible—loving those who persecute you, blessing those who curse you. 

This teaching isn’t naive; it’s deeply theological, rooted in understanding that transformation of the heart and mind is possible through faith. 

For the contemporary Christian, this principle remains profoundly relevant as we navigate personal conflict, persecution, and the desire for revenge in our modern world.

Say This Prayer

Finding the right words when your heart burns with anger toward enemies can feel impossible, yet prayer offers a path toward peace. This supplication isn’t about denying your emotions—it’s about bringing them honestly before God and asking for help to respond differently. 

When you invoke the Lord in moments of hatred and temptation, you’re acknowledging that transformation requires strength beyond your own. The plea for wisdom, forgiveness, and mercy creates space for the Holy Spirit to work in your soul.

Therefore, this petition becomes an act of obedience and faith combined. You’re asking Jesus to change not just your circumstances but your very mind and attitude toward those who’ve wronged you. 

The request for courage to love, bless, and overcome the impulse for vengeance is powerful precisely because it’s so difficult. 

Through intercession, you seek deliverance from evil, healing from wounds, and protection from your own capacity for sin. 

This prayer becomes your pathway from desire for revenge to genuine righteousness, trust, and hope in God’s grace and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about enemies?

The Bible teaches that believers should love, forgive, bless, and pray for adversaries rather than seek revenge.

Does the Bible allow killing enemies?

The Bible’s commandment against murder is clear, though Old Testament warfare and self-defense present complex contexts requiring careful interpretation.

Are there verses about revenge?

Yes, Scripture addresses revenge and vengeance, particularly in Romans, emphasizing that justice belongs to God alone.

How should Christians treat enemies?

Christians should treat enemies with love, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, and mercy, following Jesus’s example and teachings.

Does the Bible teach forgiveness?

Absolutely—Bible teachings emphasize forgiveness, pardon, mercy, and reconciliation as central commandments throughout Jesus’s instruction.