Overview
The Bible addresses offences against the holy spirit across 17 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Acts, Hebrews and Matthew. Closely related themes include Holy Spirit, Unpardonable Sin, Peter and Reproof. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Peter.
Key Bible verses about offences against the holy spirit
Old Testament
New Testament
Matthew
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Acts
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? to lie to: or, to deceive
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
1 Thessalonians
Hebrews
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
People in the Bible and offences against the holy spirit
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying offences against the holy spirit for yourself
- Begin with Nehemiah 9:30, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Acts, Hebrews and Matthew each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Peter and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Holy Spirit, Unpardonable Sin, Peter and Reproof.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about offences against the holy spirit?
The Bible addresses offences against the holy spirit across 17 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Acts, Hebrews and Matthew. Closely related themes include Holy Spirit, Unpardonable Sin, Peter and Reproof. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Peter.
How many Bible verses are about offences against the holy spirit?
The Bible references offences against the holy spirit in 17 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention offences against the holy spirit?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Nehemiah 9:30: “Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands. forbear: Heb. protract over them in thy: Heb. in the hand of thy prophets”
Which people in the Bible are associated with offences against the holy spirit?
Peter.
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