Jesus said, "ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled" (Matthew 24:6). The Bible is realistic that there is "a time of war, and a time of peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:8), yet it promises a God who "maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth" (Psalm 46:9).
News of war can leave people anxious, angry or numb. People search for Bible verses about war when conflicts fill the headlines, when someone they love is deployed, around Veterans Day and Remembrance Day on November 11, or simply to understand why the Bible contains so many battles. Scripture does not hide war; it describes it honestly, exposes its causes and promises its end. These twelve King James verses show God over the wars of nations, Jesus' words about wars and rumours of wars, the war within each heart and the peace to come. For soldiers and veterans, see military; for spiritual warfare, see armor of God.
God over the wars of nations
1. Exodus 15:3
"The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name."
Israel sang this after God rescued them at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:1). Calling the LORD a man of war means He fights for the helpless and defeats oppressors. Israel did not lift a sword that day; God acted for them (Exodus 14:14).
2. Psalms 46:9
"He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire."
Psalm 46 opens with God as our refuge and strength and here shows Him breaking the bow and burning the chariot. Its best-known line, Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10), comes right after this promise to end war.
3. Psalms 33:16-17
"There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength."
No king is saved by the size of his army, and a war horse, the tank of the ancient world, is a vain thing for safety. Nations trust their weapons; the psalm points to God, whose eye is on those who fear Him (Psalm 33:18).
4. Ecclesiastes 9:18
"Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good."
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much good. The Preacher tells of a poor wise man who saved a city by his wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:14-15). Wise leaders and patient peacemaking can prevent much bloodshed.
Wars and rumours of wars
5. Matthew 24:6
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."
Jesus expected wars between His first and second comings. His command is see that ye be not troubled, because the end is not yet. Wars are not a signal to panic or set dates; they are a call to faith and readiness.
6. Luke 21:9
"But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by."
Luke records the same teaching as wars and commotions, with the command be not terrified. Jesus knew His followers would live through frightening news, and He prepared them for it in advance. See fear.
7. Psalms 120:7
"I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war."
I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. The psalmist lived among hostile people. Seeking peace is not always returned, and Romans 12:18 allows for that: if it be possible, as much as lieth in you. See peace.
8. Matthew 26:52
"Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."
When Peter cut off a servant's ear in Gethsemane, Jesus told him to put his sword away and healed the man (Luke 22:51). Jesus' kingdom does not advance by the sword (John 18:36). Violence breeds more violence.
The war within and the peace to come
9. Romans 7:23
"But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."
Paul describes a war inside himself: another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind. Every believer feels this inner battle, and Paul's answer is thanksgiving for deliverance through Jesus Christ (Romans 7:25).
10. 1 Peter 2:11
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;"
Peter urges believers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. The most dangerous war may be the one inside us, and James 4:1 traces wars and fightings back to the same root. See temptation.
11. Zechariah 9:10
"And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth."
The verse before foretells the King coming lowly on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9), fulfilled on Palm Sunday. This King cuts off the battle bow and speaks peace unto the heathen, the nations. See Palm Sunday.
12. Micah 4:3-4
"And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it."
Micah repeats Isaiah's promise of swords beaten into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4, quoted on our military page) and adds a picture of peace: every man under his vine and under his fig tree, with none to make them afraid. That is where history is heading. See lion and lamb.
A short prayer
Lord, the news of war is heavy. Comfort those who are suffering, protect the innocent, and give wisdom to leaders. Make wars to cease, and bring the day when nations learn war no more. Calm my heart when I hear of wars and rumours of wars, and win the war within me so that I become a peacemaker. In Jesus' name, 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.
Pray for peace each day with the 30-Day Prayer Journal · Study spiritual battle in God's strength with our free 7-Day Armor of God printable · Download our free SOAP study page
Frequently asked questions
What does wars and rumours of wars mean in the Bible?
Jesus said it on the Mount of Olives when His disciples asked about the destruction of the temple and His return (Matthew 24:3). Wars would mark the whole age, "but the end is not yet" (Matthew 24:6), so believers should not be alarmed or try to predict dates from the news. He called these things "the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:8).
Does the Bible say war is ever justified?
Christians have long disagreed. Many hold a just war view: governments may use force to restrain evil (Romans 13:4), and John the Baptist told soldiers to be content with their wages rather than to quit (Luke 3:14). Others hold a pacifist view, pointing to Jesus' words to Peter (Matthew 26:52) and His command to love enemies (Matthew 5:44). Both sides agree that war comes from sin, that peace is the goal, and that Christians should pray for "a quiet and peaceable life" (1 Timothy 2:2).
Why are there so many wars in the Old Testament?
The Old Testament records Israel's history honestly, including wars God commanded for a specific time and purpose, wars Israel started out of pride and wars God allowed as judgment. These accounts are not a blueprint for today; Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). The direction of the whole Bible is toward peace (Isaiah 2:4).
How should Christians pray about war?
Pray for those who are suffering, for refugees, for soldiers and their families, for wise leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and even for enemies (Matthew 5:44). Pray, as the psalmist did, "scatter thou the people that delight in war" (Psalm 68:30). Limit endless news scrolling, and give your anxiety to God (Philippians 4:6-7). See praying for others.
If news of war is causing overwhelming anxiety, or you or someone you love is struggling after military service, please reach out. US veterans, service members and their families can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1. Anyone in crisis can call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.
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 military service · Bible verses about the armor of God · Bible verses for peace · Bible verses about victory · Bible verses about fear · Bible verses about praying for others · Bible verses about strength and peace · Bible verses about the lion and the lamb
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