The Bible answers death with resurrection hope: Jesus is "the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25-26), death is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54-57), and God will wipe away all tears (Revelation 21:4). For believers, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21) and to be with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Scripture faces death honestly and refuses to let it have the last word. These King James passages hold grief and hope together.
Jesus conquered death
1. John 11:25-26
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
Jesus tells Martha He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him shall live, even if they die.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Death is swallowed up in victory. God gives that victory through Jesus Christ.
3. Isaiah 25:8
"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it."
God will swallow up death in victory and wipe away tears. Paul echoes this promise in 1 Corinthians 15.
4. Revelation 21:4
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
In the new heaven and earth, God wipes away tears; there shall be no more death, sorrow, or pain.
Presence in the valley
5. Psalms 23:4
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
In the valley of the shadow of death, the shepherd's presence removes fear. His rod and staff comfort.
6. John 14:1-3
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
Jesus comforts troubled hearts: He goes to prepare a place and will come again to receive His own.
7. Psalms 116:15
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. God does not treat a believer's death as cheap.
Alive with Christ
8. 2 Corinthians 5:8
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
Paul is willing rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. Death for the believer means presence with Christ.
9. Philippians 1:21
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Paul weighs earthly ministry against being with Christ.
10. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."
Believers grieve with hope: God will bring with Jesus those who sleep in Him.
11. Romans 8:38-39
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Neither death nor life can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Death cannot cut the bond of love.
A short prayer
Lord Jesus, You are the resurrection and the life. Meet those who mourn with Your presence. Thank You that death is not the end for those who trust You, and that nothing can separate us from Your love. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
[Download our free SOAP study page | Get the 30-page SOAP Bible Study Journal]
Frequently asked questions
What is a comforting Bible verse about death?
John 11:25-26, Psalm 23:4, Revelation 21:4, and 2 Corinthians 5:8 are often shared at funerals and in grief.
Where does the Bible say "to die is gain"?
Philippians 1:21: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
What does the Bible say happens after death for believers?
Paul writes of being absent from the body and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8), and of resurrection hope when Christ returns (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15).
Does the Bible say death has been defeated?
Yes. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 celebrates that death is swallowed up in victory through Jesus Christ.
This page is for spiritual encouragement and is not medical or mental-health advice. If you are struggling, please talk to a doctor, pastor, or licensed counselor. In the US you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about grief · Bible verses about hope · Bible verses about God's love · Bible verses about peace · Bible verses about faith
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
