What Does the Bible Say About Sin?

The Bible addresses sin across both Old and New Testaments. These verses are organized by biblical era — from the patriarchs to the apostles — letting Scripture speak for itself.

34 verses·6 eras·16 promises

Exodus (~1400 BC)

Divided Kingdom (~930 BC)

Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose trust Yahweh is.
Jeremiah 17:7· YahwehPromise
All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6· IsaiahPromise
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.
Isaiah 43:25· GodPromise

Exile (~586 BC)

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you!
Isaiah 49:15· YahwehPromise

Life of Jesus (~30 AD)

Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"
Luke 11:4· JesusPrayer
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
Luke 7:47· JesusPromise
"Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
Luke 2:29· SimeonPrayer
But you go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29· John the Baptist
He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
Luke 7:48· JesusPromise
for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.
Matthew 26:28· JesusPromise
But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her."
John 8:7· Jesus
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luke 5:32· JesusPromise
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
Luke 2:30· SimeonPrayer
But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'
Luke 18:13· tax collectorPrayer

Early Church (~50 AD)

for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23· PaulPromise
"I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more."
Hebrews 10:17· GodPromise
Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38· PeterPromise
The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;
Romans 5:20· PaulPromise
As it is written, "There is no one righteous; no, not one.
Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16:25· LukePrayer
All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins."
Acts 10:43· PeterPromise
He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!" When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:60· StephenPrayer
"Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Romans 4:7· PaulPromise

United Kingdom (~1000 BC)

Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life, to see Yahweh's beauty, and to inquire in his temple.
Psalms 27:4· DavidPrayer
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.
Psalms 84:11· Sons of Korah
He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalms 1:3· unknownPromise

Want a verse chosen for your situation?

Describe what you're going through. We'll find the verse whose emotional DNA matches your moment.

Speak Your Heart →