Capital punishment in the Bible

A case against capital punishment can be made from John 8, where Jesus speaks words that can be construed as condemning the practice.

Sins that were punishable by death include homicide, striking one's parents, kidnapping, cursing one's parents, witchcraft and divination, bestiality, worshiping other gods, violating the Sabbath, child sacrifice, adultery, incest, and male homosexual intercourse (there is no biblical legal punishment for lesbians mentioned).

Additionally, there are numerous verses that condemn revenge, judging, anger and hatred, as well as those that promote peace, harmony, forgiveness and acceptance.

Paul Onyango cites Carol Meyers argues that treatment of adulteresses in Ezekiel 16 and 23 is far more progressive than that of other ancient near eastern cultures of the time, due to its avoidance/rejection of capital punishment.

Jesus famously states "let he who is without sin throw the first stone," effectively saying that capital punishment should not be carried out, without directly contradicting the law of Moses.

Offences that are punishable by death in the Torah, include the following:[3][4] Murder,[7] striking or smiting one's parents,[8] kidnapping,[9] cursing one's parents,[10] occult practice,[11][12] bestiality,[13] worshipping other gods,[14] Sabbath desecration,[15] child sacrifice,[16] adultery,[17] incest,[18] male homosexual intercourse (female homosexual intercourse is unmentioned),[19][20] prostitution by the daughter of a priest (Kohen),[21] blasphemy of the Tetragrammaton,[22] the assembly or disassembly of the Tabernacle by a non-Levite,[23] the performance of priestly duties by a non-Kohen,[24] the promotion of, and conversion to, non-YHWH worship,[25] defiant refusal to accept the decision of the court,[26] capital perjury,[27] recidivistic rebellion against parents,[28] perjury accusing one's betrothed of lacking her virginity,[29] consensual sexual intercourse with a betrothed woman, and rape.

[33] In Genesis 38:24-26, when Judah is told that Tamar (his former daughter-in-law) had become a harlot and was pregnant, he sentences her to death by burning.

[43] In 2018 the Roman Catholic catechism changed to repudiate capital punishment in any circumstances,[44] and the Vatican website explicitly references the Sermon on the Mount in justification for this.

"[49] Richard Hiers (2004 & 2009) writes: In summary, biblical law gave expression to a highly positive evaluation of human life, and affirmed the bodily and moral integrity of persons individually, in families, and as an ordered and just society.

And those who sat in judgment were strongly admonished to do so impartially, according equal protection of the laws, whether the accused were rich or poor, native born or foreigners.