Topical Encyclopedia
Execution, in the context of the Bible, refers to the act of carrying out a death sentence as a form of capital punishment. This practice is evident throughout the Scriptures and is often associated with the administration of justice according to the laws given by God to the Israelites. Execution is depicted as a means to uphold righteousness, deter sin, and maintain societal order.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, execution is primarily associated with the Mosaic Law, which prescribed capital punishment for various offenses. The Law was given to the Israelites as a covenantal code to guide their conduct and ensure holiness among God's chosen people. Execution served as a deterrent against grave sins and was intended to purge evil from the community.
One of the earliest references to execution is found in
Genesis 9:6, where God establishes the principle of retributive justice: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind." This verse underscores the sanctity of human life and the seriousness of murder.
The Mosaic Law outlines specific crimes warranting execution, including murder (
Exodus 21:12), adultery (
Leviticus 20:10), idolatry (
Deuteronomy 17:2-5), and blasphemy (
Leviticus 24:16). The method of execution varied, with stoning being the most common (
Deuteronomy 13:10). The law required the testimony of two or three witnesses to carry out an execution, ensuring that the punishment was justly administered (
Deuteronomy 17:6).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the focus shifts from the legalistic application of the Law to the fulfillment of the Law through Jesus Christ. While the New Testament does not prescribe execution as a form of punishment for believers, it acknowledges the authority of governing bodies to administer justice, including capital punishment.
Romans 13:4 affirms the role of civil authorities as God's servants to execute wrath on wrongdoers: "For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." This passage suggests that the state has the divinely sanctioned authority to enforce laws, including the use of capital punishment.
The execution of Jesus Christ is the most significant instance of execution in the New Testament. Although He was innocent, Jesus was crucified under Roman law, fulfilling the prophecies of the suffering Messiah and providing atonement for humanity's sins (
Isaiah 53:5;
John 19:16-18). His execution highlights the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the ultimate triumph over sin and death.
Theological ImplicationsExecution in the Bible is intertwined with themes of justice, holiness, and the consequences of sin. It reflects the seriousness with which God views sin and the lengths to which He will go to maintain the purity of His people. The Old Testament laws regarding execution underscore the need for a just and orderly society, while the New Testament reveals the transformative power of grace through Jesus Christ.
While the Bible acknowledges the role of execution in maintaining justice, it also emphasizes mercy, forgiveness, and the potential for redemption. The tension between justice and mercy is resolved in the person and work of Jesus, who bore the penalty of sin on behalf of humanity, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Topical Bible Verses
Romans 13:4For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath on him that does evil.
Topicalbible.orgMatthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
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Matthew 26:52-54
Then said Jesus to him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
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Exodus 20:13
You shall not kill.
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Exodus 21:24-25
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
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Exodus 22:2-3
If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of executing; a carrying into effect or to completion; performance; achievement; consummation; as, the execution of a plan, a work, etc.
2. (n.) A putting to death as a legal penalty; death lawfully inflicted; as, the execution of a murderer.
3. (n.) The act of the mode of performing a work of art, of performing on an instrument, of engraving, etc.; as, the execution of a statue, painting, or piece of music.
4. (n.) The carrying into effect the judgment given in a court of law.
5. (n.) A judicial writ by which an officer is empowered to carry a judgment into effect; final process.
6. (n.) The act of signing, and delivering a legal instrument, or giving it the forms required to render it valid; as, the execution of a deed, or a will.
7. (n.) That which is executed or accomplished; effect; effective work; -- usually with do.
8. (n.) The act of sacking a town.
Greek
1349. dike -- right (as self-evident), justice (the principle, a...... right (as self-evident), justice (the principle, a decision or its
execution). Part
of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: dike Phonetic Spelling: (dee'-kay
...1806. exago -- to lead out
... out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exago Phonetic Spelling: (ex-ag'-o) Short
Definition: I lead out Definition: I lead out, sometimes to death,execution...
4669. smurnizo -- to be like myrrh, to mingle with myrrh
... [Wine mixed was commonly offered to dying criminals as a . This was routinely
given to people condemned to brutalexecution.]. Word...
Strong's Hebrew
8546. timuthah -- death... Word Origin from muth Definition death NASB Word Usage death (1), die (1). death,
die. From muwth;
execution (as a doom) -- death, die. see HEBREW muwth.
...5950. aliliyyah -- a deed
... Word Origin from alal Definition a deed NASB Word Usage deed (1). miraculous work.
For aliylah; (miraculous)execution -- work. see HEBREW aliylah. 5949, 5950...
Library
Of Design andExecution.
... Book I. 21. (6) of Design andExecution. Again we speak of the arche of an action,
in which there is a design which appears after the beginning....
The Wicked Plan Having Been Carried intoExecution, Diocletian...
... Chap. XVII. The wicked plan having been carried intoexecution, Diocletian?
The wicked plan having been carried intoexecution...
Whether the Soul of Christ had Omnipotence as Regards the...
... OF THE POWER OF CHRIST'S SOUL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the soul of Christ had
omnipotence as regards theexecution of His will? Objection...
The Answer that we must Take into Account the Purpose of the Doer...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XI. The answer that we must take into account
the purpose of the doer rather than theexecution of the business....
Twenty-Second Proposition of Arminius
... The decree has reference to man to be created, considered generally; and its
execution to man as created according to his various relations....
Via Dolorosa
... selfishness and policy. But at last it was over, and nothing remained but
to carry the unjust sentence intoexecution. So the tribunal...
The First Opinion, which I Reject, but which is Espoused by those...
... "II. In addition to this decree, God has pre-ordained certain determinate means
which pertain to itsexecution, and this by an eternal and immutable decree....
Appendix.
... God. To co-operate with these for example, in theexecution of justice,
is not necessarily to acknowledge that the power is of God....
Death of Jesus.
... heterodox dogmatist, who was punished. Following out the same idea, the
execution was left to the Romans. We know that amongst the...
My Judgment Respecting the Two Last Described Schemes of...
... differ from the first in this point"that neither of them lays down the creation
or the fall as a mediate cause fore-ordained by God for theexecution of the...
Thesaurus
Execution (4 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) The act of executing; a carrying into effect or to completion; performance;
achievement; consummation; as, the
execution of a plan, a work, etc.
...Levy (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The taking or seizure of property on executions to satisfy judgments, or
on warrants for the collection of taxes; a collecting byexecution....
Hanging (82 Occurrences)
... hinges. 5. (n.) The act of suspending anything; the state of being suspended.
6. (n.) Death by suspension;execution by a halter. 7...
Punishments (31 Occurrences)
... Even if he took refuge at the altar in a sanctuary or in an asylum city, he would
not be immune from arrest andexecution, and the same principle was applied...
Witness (295 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) One who sees theexecution of an instrument, and subscribes it for the purpose
of confirming its authenticity by his testimony; one who witnesses a will...
Respite (8 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Temporary suspension of theexecution of a capital offender; reprieve....
7. (n.) To keep back fromexecution; to reprieve....
Return (499 Occurrences)
... 26. (n.) The rendering back or delivery of writ, precept, orexecution,
to the proper officer or court. 27. (n.) The certificate...
Extent (15 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A peculiar species ofexecution upon debts due to the crown, under which
the lands and goods of the debtor may be seized to secure payment....
Performance (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of performing; the carrying intoexecution or action;execution;
achievement; accomplishment; representation by action; as, the performance of...
Achan (7 Occurrences)
... will not be sure that the record says that any greater cruelty was practiced on
the family of Achan than that of compelling them to be present at theexecution...
Resources
What does the Bible say about stoning? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Annas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Swoon Theory? Did Jesus survive the crucifixion? | GotQuestions.orgExecution: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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