Overview
The Bible addresses treason across 21 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel, John and Matthew. Closely related themes include Amnesty, Shimei, Self-Defense and Death of Christ, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Shimei, Pontius Pilate, David and Jesus.
Key Bible verses about treason
Old Testament
2 Samuel
And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.
And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David.
And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king.
And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; what: Heb. the good in his eyes
And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.
For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.
But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?
And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.
New Testament
Matthew
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
Luke
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
John
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
People in the Bible and treason
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying treason for yourself
- Begin with 2 Samuel 19:13, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 2 Samuel, John and Matthew each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Shimei, Pontius Pilate and David and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Amnesty, Shimei, Self-Defense and Death of Christ, the.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about treason?
The Bible addresses treason across 21 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 2 Samuel, John and Matthew. Closely related themes include Amnesty, Shimei, Self-Defense and Death of Christ, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Shimei, Pontius Pilate, David and Jesus.
How many Bible verses are about treason?
The Bible references treason in 21 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention treason?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 2 Samuel 19:13: “And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with treason?
Shimei, Pontius Pilate, David, Jesus and Joab.
Preach & teach
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